B-School – Dean
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How to Talk to Grad Students and Postdocs About Career Paths They Cannot Predict
Summary: As labor markets rapidly evolve, graduate students and postdocs must navigate changing professional environments by strategically leveraging their advanced degrees and experiences. Contributors to career advice columns emphasize that early career professionals should avoid an all-or-nothing approach, actively build professional branding on platforms like LinkedIn, and articulate the concrete value of internships and assistantships. By recognizing shifting employer expectations and integrating practical skills early, advanced-degree holders can better position themselves for diverse career paths. Observations: Graduate students and postdocs benefit from viewing their career progression as a flexible journey rather than a rigid, linear path. Practical experiences such as teaching...
The Struggling Colleges Raiding Their Endowments to Pay the Bills
Summary: The article examines how mounting financial pressures are leading some colleges to use donor-restricted endowment funds to cover operating expenses. While institutions face enrollment declines, rising costs, and budget deficits, using restricted funds can violate donor intent, expose institutions to legal action, and undermine public trust. Cases involving colleges that closed or faced legal challenges illustrate weaknesses in financial oversight and governance. The article argues that boards and institutional leaders must make difficult financial decisions early rather than relying on restricted assets to delay structural problems. Observations: Financial stress is exposing governance weaknesses at institutions with declining enrollment. Misusing restricted endowment funds can...
U.S. Universities Among 7 Approved to Set Up Greek Branch Campuses
Summary: Greece has approved seven foreign universities, including U.S. institutions like Georgetown and Iowa State, to establish branch campuses starting in 2026–27. This follows a new law allowing private foreign universities to operate in Greece, a move intended to combat brain drain and enhance educational offerings. Despite student protests fearing inequality and threats to public universities, the government emphasizes strict quality controls and support for public institutions. Most campuses will be in Athens, with Iowa State in Thessaloniki, marking a significant shift in Greek higher education toward internationalization and diversification. Observations: Greece is opening its higher education market to foreign branch campuses to stem brain drain. U.S. and European universities...
How AI Is Shaping Higher Ed Communications
Summary: The article argues that AI is changing higher education communications by accelerating content creation and improving efficiency, but it cannot replace the human judgment needed to build trust, shape institutional identity, and communicate authentically. Effective communication strategies should use AI to support routine tasks while keeping people responsible for strategy, relationships, and decision-making. Institutions that combine AI capabilities with clear values, strong storytelling, and human oversight will be better positioned to engage students, alumni, faculty, and other stakeholders. Observations: AI is best used to enhance, not replace, strategic communication. Human judgment remains essential for authentic messaging and institutional trust. Communication teams should...
The Rise of Million-Dollar Companies With Just One Employee
Summary: Artificial intelligence is redefining entrepreneurship, enabling individuals to launch million-dollar companies with just one employee. AI acts as a powerful business partner, automating tasks from marketing to coding, dramatically reducing startup costs and time. This shift is especially visible in tech sectors, with an unprecedented rise in solo-founder ventures. However, relying solely on AI without sustainable business models poses risks, as some examples reveal rapid failure despite initial success. Graduate business leaders should carefully assess how AI integration can empower agility while balancing strategic planning with innovative technology adoption. Observations: AI is transforming business creation by automating key tasks, allowing solo entrepreneurs to scale...
How to lead when you don’t have the title
Summary: Leading without formal authority relies on influence, relationship-building, and proactive communication rather than positional power. Key strategies include understanding others' motivations, demonstrating competence and integrity, and fostering collaboration. This approach encourages graduate business students and faculty to develop leadership skills adaptable to complex, matrixed organizations, where influence often outweighs hierarchy. Emphasizing empathy, active listening, and problem-solving creates buy-in and drives initiatives forward. For graduate business programs, cultivating these leadership competencies prepares students and staff to lead effectively in diverse, dynamic environments even when lacking official titles. Observations: Leadership extends beyond formal...
Why outcomes now dominate the college search
Summary: Students increasingly prioritize outcomes like ROI, affordability, and career readiness over traditional campus amenities when choosing colleges. Economic uncertainty and technology, especially AI, drive demand for transparency in program costs and employment prospects. Institutions must promote AI literacy and ethical use to prepare learners for evolving workplaces. Strategic specialization and program portfolio reviews help schools align offerings with workforce needs and financial realities. This shift towards data-driven decision-making and clear communication of post-graduation success is essential for attracting and retaining today’s outcome-focused learners. Observations: Prospective students emphasize tangible return on investment and workforce outcomes over campus...
Will the College Transparency Act get the green light from lawmakers?
Summary: The College Transparency Act, reintroduced by Senators Cassidy and Warren, aims to enhance federal data collection on student outcomes by lifting a ban on student-level data reporting. Supported by major higher education groups, the act promises more accurate insights into graduation rates and earnings, addressing current gaps that exclude many students, especially those not receiving federal aid or attending community colleges. However, some associations oppose the bill citing privacy and regulatory concerns. As the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee considers the act, its passage remains uncertain amid legislative challenges. Observations: Current federal data on student outcomes is incomplete, missing large student segments. The College Transparency Act...
Workers at leading AI companies call for a slowdown in AI development
Summary: Workers at top AI firms are urging a deliberate slowdown in AI development, citing the technology’s rapid progress outpacing current governance capabilities. Over 1,000 AI staff, including leaders from OpenAI and Meta, signed a public letter emphasizing the need for tighter regulation, enhanced security measures, and time to address emerging risks. This call follows recent incidents highlighting vulnerabilities in AI systems and coincides with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's meetings with government officials. For graduate business programs, this signals a crucial pivot point: AI is profoundly reshaping industries, but ethical, regulatory, and security challenges require thoughtful integration into business education. Observations: AI’s rapid evolution is outpacing available governance...
3 Questions for SFBU President Nick Ladany on MBA Pro+
Summary: San Francisco Bay University’s new MBA Pro+ is designed around affordability, flexibility, AI-enhanced learning, and employer-valued competencies rather than traditional knowledge delivery. President Nick Ladany argues that graduate business education should prepare students to think critically, solve complex problems, communicate effectively, and use AI responsibly. The program combines personalized AI, self-paced learning, faculty mentorship, and applied experiences to help working professionals build demonstrable capabilities while keeping education accessible through a $10,000 tuition model. Observations: AI is integrated into the learning process rather than added as a separate subject. Employer-demanded competencies are prioritized over content mastery alone. Affordability...
What Business Schools Can Learn From Medicine
Summary: The podcast explores how business schools can learn from medicine’s integration of research, education, and practice, focusing on the FutureNeuro center at RCSI. FutureNeuro successfully bridges research and application through multidisciplinary collaboration and sustained patient involvement from research design to dissemination. This approach ensures alignment with real-world needs and measurable impact, which is rigorously evaluated by funders. Business schools can adopt similar models by fostering strong connections among researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to enhance the societal relevance and impact of business education and research. Observations: Medicine integrates research and practice through multidisciplinary teams focused on real-world impact. Patient...
The Algorithm in the Advising Office
Summary: AI-powered early alert systems are increasingly used in higher education to identify and support at-risk students, improving retention and success rates. Programs like Georgia State University’s model emphasize human oversight, ensuring advisors handle interventions while AI flags potential issues. However, ethical and legal complexities arise, such as questions about mandatory reporting and confidentiality when AI chatbots interact with students. Bias in predictive algorithms also poses risks, potentially misidentifying or overlooking students. Graduate business programs must understand these challenges as they prepare leaders to responsibly integrate AI in student support and institutional planning. Observations: AI alerts in advising help identify at-risk students earlier...
Entrepreneurship Expos Build More Than Businesses
Summary: Entrepreneurship expos offer graduate business students immersive, real-world experiences that extend beyond launching ventures. By engaging diverse stakeholders—entrepreneurs, investors, alumni, and community members—students develop critical skills like adaptability, judgment, communication, and relationship-building. These expos focus on building entrepreneurial capabilities through rapid feedback cycles, reflection, and iterative learning rather than just performance or business outcomes. Case studies from Florida State, Rowan University, and University of Tampa highlight how expos accelerate students’ entrepreneurial growth and confidence, preparing them for varied career paths by fostering transferable, higher-order capabilities essential in today’s dynamic business...
Does AI Grading Make the Grade?
Summary: AI grading is emerging as a controversial yet promising tool in higher education. Early experimentation reveals AI can offer detailed, consistent feedback faster than human graders, potentially enhancing teaching adaptability. However, faculty and students express concerns about transparency, fairness, and the perceived loss of human judgment. Some institutions have rejected AI grading, citing ethical dilemmas and resistance, while others embrace it cautiously with human oversight. The technology’s evolution challenges graduate business programs to balance innovation with maintaining trust, quality, and faculty roles amid rapid AI adoption. Observations: AI grading tools have improved in accuracy and feedback quality, now rivaling or surpassing human grading in consistency....
Why degree apprenticeships are more competitive than Oxford
Summary: Degree apprenticeships have surged in popularity, often outstripping prestigious university offers such as Oxford’s, driven by concerns over university costs and student debt. These programs blend vocational training with academic study, allowing students to earn while they learn and avoid loans. However, high demand has made entry extremely competitive, while the specialized nature of training means apprentices often have limited choice over universities or traditional campus experiences. Additionally, the application process can be complex and less accessible for disadvantaged students, who must manage logistical challenges more independently than their university counterparts. Observations: Degree apprenticeships offer a compelling alternative to traditional university routes...
Is It Time to Change How You Grade?
Summary: The Chronicle’s July 23, 2026, newsletter explores evolving grading practices in higher education, spotlighting alternatives to traditional points-based systems. It highlights a biology professor’s shift to standards-based grading that emphasizes mastery over point accumulation, reducing student anxiety and encouraging deeper learning. This approach reframes grades as clear indicators of competency rather than arbitrary scores, fostering better student motivation and engagement. The piece raises critical questions about grading’s purpose and effectiveness, encouraging educators to reconsider entrenched assessment methods to better align with modern learning challenges, including issues posed by AI and grade inflation. Observations: Traditional points-based grading often...
Universities drop AI detection tools over fears about accuracy
Summary: Universities worldwide are increasingly discontinuing AI detection tools like GPTZero, Copyleaks, and Turnitin due to concerns over accuracy, false positives, and inherent biases. These tools, which analyze text patterns to flag potential AI-generated content, have been criticized for unreliable results and misapplication. As a result, institutions such as Vanderbilt, Yale, and University of Cape Town have restricted or disabled their use. The issue has sparked a broader conversation about the effectiveness and fairness of AI detection, pushing universities to reconsider strategies for maintaining academic integrity while adapting to evolving technology and student needs. Observations: AI detection tools currently suffer from reliability issues, including false positives and...
The 5-Letter Problem With Grades
Summary: This opinion piece critically examines the traditional use of letter grades in higher education, arguing they often fail to reflect meaningful learning or foster student growth. The author highlights experiments like allowing essay revisions and retaking exams which promote deeper understanding rather than penalizing failure. The piece challenges graduate business program leaders to reconsider grading’s role as a fixed standard and instead explore more flexible, formative assessment methods that align with real-world skills and interdisciplinary learning. This shift can better support diverse learner needs and adapt to evolving educational environments that prioritize mastery and continuous improvement. Observations: Traditional letter grading can limit student motivation and...
Why employers still place a premium on people skills, not AI, when they make hiring decisions
Summary: The article explains that while AI is reshaping work, employers continue to prioritize human skills when making hiring decisions. Research cited in the article shows that communication, teamwork, adaptability, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and ethical judgment remain highly valued because they complement, rather than compete with, AI capabilities. As organizations adopt AI, employees who can collaborate effectively, solve complex problems, and exercise sound judgment become increasingly important. The article concludes that educational institutions should prepare graduates with both AI literacy and strong interpersonal and professional skills. Observations: AI proficiency alone is insufficient to meet employer expectations. Human skills such as communication,...
Reimagining Business Schools for an AI-Native World
Summary: The article argues that business schools must redesign education for an AI-native world rather than simply adding AI tools to existing curricula. AI is changing how knowledge is created, applied, and assessed, requiring schools to emphasize critical thinking, ethical judgment, creativity, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Faculty roles, curriculum design, assessment methods, and institutional strategies should evolve to prepare graduates who can work effectively alongside AI while addressing complex business challenges responsibly. Observations: AI requires fundamental changes to business school strategy, not incremental curriculum updates. Human capabilities such as judgment, ethics, and creativity become more valuable as AI adoption grows. Assessment methods should...
Moving From Skills to Capabilities
Summary: The article argues that business schools should move beyond teaching discrete skills and instead develop enduring capabilities that enable graduates to think critically, exercise judgment, and act effectively in unfamiliar situations. While AI can improve task performance, it can also encourage students to outsource thinking, limiting genuine learning. The author distinguishes skills—specific procedures that can be taught—from capabilities, which are developed through self-regulated learning, reflection, and repeated practice. Business schools should redesign learning experiences and assessments to strengthen students' independent judgment rather than simply improving AI-assisted performance. Observations: Capabilities such as judgment and critical thinking are more durable than...
What employers really want: 5 facts from the Corporate Recruiters Survey
Summary: The 2026 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey finds that employer confidence in graduate management education remains exceptionally strong despite rapid technological and economic change. Employers increasingly expect graduates to combine AI literacy with communication, professionalism, and the ability to navigate complex global business environments. Acceptance of online degrees continues to grow, U.S. employers are becoming more receptive to micro-credentials, and hiring projections remain positive. At the same time, AI is eliminating some entry-level roles, making human judgment, adaptability, and professional skills increasingly important differentiators for graduate business graduates. Observations: Employers continue to place high value on graduate business education but...
Tell Your Enrollment Story Before Someone Else Does
Summary: As new federal data on college admissions and enrollment (ACTS) is set to be released, institutions face intense public scrutiny. The article urges colleges to proactively communicate their enrollment strategies—grounded in mission and community needs—to prevent misinterpretation. Transparent, coordinated storytelling across departments helps explain complex admission decisions beyond test scores and GPAs. This approach builds trust, informs stakeholders, and shapes the narrative before external parties fill the information void. Graduate business programs can adapt by aligning admissions communication with broader institutional goals, emphasizing their unique contributions to workforce development and equity. Observations: ACTS data release will significantly shape public...
Is Your College Losing Money?
Summary: The article argues that many colleges are experiencing growing financial pressure despite appearing stable on the surface. It encourages institutional leaders to monitor operating performance, cash flow, debt, enrollment trends, and liquidity rather than relying on annual budgets alone. The piece emphasizes that persistent operating deficits, declining enrollment, and weakening financial reserves are early warning signs that require immediate attention. Institutions that regularly track financial indicators and act before problems become crises are better positioned to maintain long-term sustainability. Observations: Financial sustainability depends on monitoring multiple indicators, not just balancing the annual budget. Persistent operating deficits should trigger strategic...
MIT Sloan School of Management launches Evening MBA
Summary: MIT Sloan has launched an Evening MBA program to offer working professionals the opportunity to earn a rigorous, cohort-based MBA while continuing their careers. The primarily in-person, 22-month program features the same core curriculum and selective admissions as the traditional MBA, emphasizing innovation, analytics, and applied management. Designed to serve a growing market of career-focused individuals, the program connects students deeply with MIT’s ecosystem and local industries, particularly in Greater Boston’s tech and healthcare sectors. Classes meet evenings twice a week, enabling immediate application of learning at work, benefiting both students and employers. Observations: The Evening MBA targets professionals who want to advance careers without pausing work....
The Hidden Partner in Workforce Development
Summary: The workforce development system in the U.S. overlooks degree-holding professionals who face rapid technological disruption. Traditional degree programs cannot keep pace with evolving skills needed in fields impacted by AI, biotechnology, and digital transformation. Community colleges and short-term providers focus on entry-level training but fall short for midcareer professionals requiring advanced reskilling. Professional and continuing education (PCE) units in research universities are uniquely positioned to offer deep, applied learning rapidly aligned with industry needs. Policymakers should recognize and fund PCEs to address this gap, ensuring degree-holding professionals remain competitive and contribute effectively to an innovation-driven economy. Observations: Workforce...
ESSEC Business School Launches the ESSEC Online Executive MBA
Summary: ESSEC Business School has launched a fully online Executive MBA to address the growing demand for flexible, high-quality professional development. The 18-month program targets experienced professionals, balancing career progression with strategic leadership growth. To avoid the isolation often associated with remote learning, the curriculum emphasizes collaboration through group work, coaching, and peer interaction among diverse cohorts. The program is built on five strategic pillars: Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, and Geopolitics. By integrating "learning-by-doing" methodologies, ESSEC aims to replicate the engagement of in-person formats while providing the accessibility modern executives require to navigate complex...
Closing the AI Gap in Business Education
Summary: Business schools must move beyond isolated AI initiatives and adopt institution-wide strategies that integrate AI into governance, curriculum, faculty development, and partnerships with employers. The article argues that schools should establish AI task forces, define measurable goals, embed ethical AI across teaching and assessment, and invest in continuous faculty training. Rather than pursuing rapid implementation, schools should build sustainable systems that prepare graduates with practical AI skills while ensuring responsible use. Success depends on aligning academic programs with evolving workforce expectations through ongoing collaboration with industry. Observations: AI adoption requires institutional governance, not just faculty experimentation. Ethical AI literacy...
A Legal Road Map for AI Adoption on Campus
Summary: The article argues that colleges and universities should move beyond informal AI experimentation by establishing a legal framework for adoption. It highlights emerging legal responsibilities involving privacy, intellectual property, accessibility, bias, procurement, data governance, and regulatory compliance. Rather than waiting for laws to mature, institutions should develop policies, governance structures, and risk management processes that support responsible AI use across teaching, research, and administration. The author emphasizes that proactive legal planning will better position institutions to adapt as AI regulations continue to evolve. Observations: AI governance should be treated as an institutional legal and strategic priority, not just a technology initiative....
The Man Who Disrupted Entrepreneurship Education Says AI Just Disrupted Him
Summary: Steve Blank, the pioneer of the Lean startup movement, argues that AI has fundamentally disrupted entrepreneurship education by necessitating a shift from "executing business plans" to validating complex, AI-driven hypotheses. The rise of generative AI allows for rapid prototype creation and synthetic customer discovery, which, while efficient, risks producing "hallucinated" feedback grounded in illusion rather than reality. Consequently, educators must raise the bar for evidence. Blank now emphasizes "agent-outcome fit"—ensuring autonomous systems deliver real-world results—urging faculty to move beyond traditional methodologies and embrace AI to challenge students at a deeper, more rigorous level. Observations: The ease of AI-generated content can mislead students into...
College Students Are Testing at the Level of 10-Year-Olds
Summary: The article highlights findings from the OECD's 2023 Survey of Adult Skills showing that a significant share of college students across OECD countries demonstrate reading and mathematics proficiency comparable to that of a 10-year-old. It attributes these outcomes to multiple factors, including pandemic-related learning loss, declining enrollment that may have lowered admissions standards, and reduced public investment in education. The article also raises concerns about AI and other technologies reducing students' engagement with reading while noting that technology-free classroom practices may help improve literacy and confidence. Observations: Entering graduate students may require stronger assessment of foundational literacy and quantitative skills. AI should supplement, not...
6 HBCUs Launch Course-Sharing Partnership
Summary: Six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have partnered with the course-sharing platform Acadeum to enhance degree completion and student flexibility. This consortium allows students to enroll in approved online courses at peer institutions that count toward their home degree requirements, effectively eliminating barriers caused by scheduling conflicts or limited course availability. The initiative provides students with wraparound supports—including career counseling and success coaching—while maintaining the specific cultural environment of their home institutions. This collaborative model enables member schools to expand their academic offerings and improve retention without the high cost of developing new internal curricula. Observations: Scalability Through...
The Demographic Reality Business Schools are Ignoring
Summary: Business schools are failing to adapt to a shifting demographic landscape, characterized by declining traditional student-age populations and the rise of lifelong learners. Relying on historical recruitment models and 20-something demographics is no longer sustainable as global birth rates fall and workforce needs evolve. Institutions must pivot from a "volume-at-all-costs" growth strategy to one focused on inclusivity and long-term career engagement across multiple life stages. Success in this new environment requires intentional efforts to engage diverse populations, non-traditional learners, and mid-career professionals, rather than clinging to the narrow, aging pipeline of traditional full-time candidates. Observations: The "demographic cliff" is not a future threat but an...
The Self-Knowledge Course: A Pedagogical Model for Student Leadership Development
Summary: The "Self-Knowledge Course" pedagogical model represents a shift from traditional skill-based instruction toward deep, identity-focused leadership development. By prioritizing reflective practice, students gain the emotional intelligence and self-awareness necessary to navigate complex professional environments. Unlike standard management curricula that emphasize external competencies, this model requires students to examine their personal values, behavioral triggers, and historical development. This introspective process creates a stronger foundation for ethical, resilient, and adaptive leadership. Ultimately, by centering self-discovery, business schools can cultivate leaders who are not just technically proficient but also profoundly aware of their influence on organizational...
The Missing Question in the AI Agenda
Summary: As AI integration accelerates within graduate business education, institutions are fixated on technical implementation rather than pedagogical purpose. The article argues that the core oversight is failing to ask how AI impacts the fundamental nature of the student-teacher relationship and the purpose of learning itself. By viewing AI primarily as an efficiency tool, leaders risk stripping away the human-centric development that defines high-quality business education. True innovation requires shifting the agenda from "how can we use AI" to "how does AI enhance or diminish the human capacity for critical judgment, ethical leadership, and complex problem-solving." Observations: Efficiency gains from AI must not come at the expense of deep, challenging cognitive processes...
The Faculty Workload Myth
Summary: The provided source highlights contemporary challenges in higher education, focusing on faculty morale, assessment, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence. With institutions navigating tough economic times, the text emphasizes the necessity of budget-friendly strategies to motivate and retain faculty while ensuring institutional stability. Furthermore, it addresses the imperative for universities to modernize instructional assessments to improve learning outcomes and effectively adapt to the rapid integration of AI in academic settings. These themes collectively underscore the pressure on leadership to balance operational efficiency with faculty support and instructional innovation. Observations: Economic Pressures Drive Strategy: Institutions are increasingly forced...
Business Schools in an Age of Extremes
Summary: Business schools face an era of "extremes," characterized by rapid technological advancement, geopolitical instability, and widening social inequality. These volatile conditions render traditional, incremental change insufficient. To remain relevant, institutions must move beyond profit-centric models and embrace "responsible leadership." This requires integrating complex global issues—such as climate change and systemic injustice—into the core curriculum. Success now depends on a school’s ability to foster critical thinking, adaptability, and ethical decision-making, ensuring graduates can navigate and lead through compounding global crises while contributing to meaningful social progress and sustainable economic systems. Observations: Incremental curriculum updates are no...
Johns Hopkins Layoffs Reach Carey Business School As Federal Cuts Deepen
Summary: Johns Hopkins University has laid off approximately 110 employees, including staff at the Carey Business School, as federal research funding declines. Carey described the changes as part of a strategic reorganization to respond to shifting student demographics, new educational delivery models, technological change, and evolving global enrollment patterns. The layoffs come despite recent investments, including new degree programs, discounted tuition initiatives, a planned MBA relocation, an Executive MBA launch, and a $50 million philanthropic gift, illustrating the financial pressures facing even well-resourced business schools. Observations: Financial pressure is forcing business schools to reorganize even while expanding academic offerings. Graduate business programs must...
Jarvis Christian University Launches Dual Graduate Degree in Business and Religion
Summary: Jarvis Christian University has launched a dual graduate degree that combines its MBA and Master of Arts in Religious Studies programs. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles that require both business expertise and values-based decision-making. By integrating management education with religious studies, the program aims to equip students to lead across business, nonprofit, ministry, education, and community organizations. The university positions the program as a response to growing demand for leaders who can combine professional competence with ethical leadership in diverse organizational settings. Observations: Interdisciplinary graduate degrees can help institutions differentiate their program portfolio. Programs that combine business education...
M.B.A. Pay Is Drifting Down—and So Is Demand for the Degree
Summary: A new survey from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) indicates that MBA graduates are entering a weaker employment market, with projected median starting salaries declining from $125,000 to $120,000 and demand for graduates becoming less certain. Employers cite artificial intelligence, reduced workforce turnover, and changing immigration policies as factors reshaping hiring. While MBA graduates continue to earn more than candidates with only bachelor's degrees or industry experience, recruiters increasingly expect graduates to demonstrate AI proficiency, and the traditional pipeline into consulting, finance, and technology is becoming more competitive. Observations: Employers increasingly value AI proficiency alongside traditional business skills. Entry-level roles...
Higher Ed Institutions Ramp Up Defenses Against Deepfakes
Summary: Higher education institutions are strengthening defenses against AI-generated deepfakes as synthetic audio, video, and images become more convincing and accessible. The article explains that institutions are adopting technical safeguards, authentication processes, staff training, and incident response plans to reduce the risk of fraud, identity impersonation, and misinformation. Experts emphasize that cybersecurity alone is insufficient; institutions must establish verification procedures and educate employees to recognize and respond to suspicious communications before trust is exploited. Observations: Deepfakes are becoming a significant cybersecurity and reputational risk for higher education. Human verification processes are as important as technical detection tools. Faculty...
We Have Never Taught Critical Thinking
Summary: The authors argue that higher education has long assumed critical thinking develops naturally through disciplinary instruction, but evidence suggests this approach is insufficient. The widespread use of AI exposes an existing weakness rather than creating a new one. They contend that colleges should explicitly teach critical thinking through structured instruction, deliberate practice, feedback, and metacognitive reflection. Rather than treating critical thinking as a by-product of coursework, institutions should make it a measurable learning outcome embedded across the curriculum to better prepare graduates for an AI-enabled workplace. Observations: AI has revealed longstanding shortcomings in how colleges develop critical thinking rather than creating the problem itself....
2026 Curricular Agility In Graduate Business Education
Summary: Graduate business schools are becoming more responsive to changing market conditions, but many lack the organizational systems needed to sustain curriculum change over time. The report defines curricular agility as an institutional capability supported by governance, leadership, data, collaboration, and continuous improvement rather than the speed of individual curriculum revisions. It concludes that long-term success depends on aligning institutional structures so schools can consistently identify external changes, make informed decisions, implement curriculum updates, and evaluate their impact. Observations: Curricular agility depends on organizational processes, not just curriculum redesign. Sustainable curriculum innovation requires alignment across governance, leadership,...
When You Suspect AI Misuse: A Decision Framework for Faculty and Administrators
Summary: The article proposes a decision-making framework for faculty who suspect students have misused AI. Rather than relying on AI detectors or making immediate accusations, the framework encourages instructors to gather evidence, evaluate the context of the assignment, consider alternative explanations, and assess whether the concern reflects a learning issue, a policy violation, or a misunderstanding of expectations. The author argues that responses should be proportional and educational, emphasizing fairness, due process, and student learning. The framework aims to help instructors navigate AI-related concerns consistently while preserving trust and avoiding unsupported allegations. Observations: AI detectors alone are insufficient grounds for determining academic misconduct....
Many college students already have well-formed cheating habits – that, not AI, is the real problem
Summary: The article argues that concerns about AI-driven cheating may overlook a more fundamental issue: many students already develop cheating habits before arriving at college. Drawing on research into academic integrity, the author contends that dishonesty often stems from established behaviors, pressures, and attitudes rather than from any specific technology. AI may provide a new tool for misconduct, but it is not the root cause. The article suggests that institutions should focus less on policing technology and more on fostering ethical decision-making, strengthening learning environments, and addressing the underlying conditions that encourage academic dishonesty. Observations: Academic dishonesty often predates students’ use of AI and reflects broader behavioral patterns. AI is...
2026 Corporate Recruiters Survey Report
Summary: The 2026 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey found that employer confidence in graduate management education remains strong, with 100 percent of employers expressing confidence in GME graduates. Employers increasingly value AI-related skills, data analysis, adaptability, and communication, but many believe graduates are underprepared to use AI effectively and demonstrate emotional intelligence, grit, and human capital management. While hiring projections remain positive and salary premiums persist for MBA and business master's graduates, employers report growing concerns about professionalism, AI-driven displacement of entry-level roles, and changing expectations around online learning, micro-credentials, and international hiring. Observations: Employers continue to value graduate...
Teaching Sensitive Geopolitical Topics
Summary: The article examines how business school faculty can effectively teach sensitive geopolitical topics in increasingly polarized and globally interconnected classrooms. It argues that avoiding controversial issues is not a viable option because geopolitical developments directly affect business, markets, supply chains, and organizational decision-making. Instead, educators should create structured environments that encourage respectful dialogue, critical thinking, and evidence-based analysis. The article emphasizes the importance of establishing classroom norms, acknowledging diverse perspectives, focusing on learning objectives, and helping students navigate complex issues without requiring consensus. The goal is to prepare future leaders to engage thoughtfully with geopolitical...
Time for Class 2026: The AI Tipping Point: From Monitoring Students to Engaging Them
Summary: The report describes higher education as reaching an AI “tipping point,” with artificial intelligence reshaping teaching, learning, assessment, and institutional operations. AI adoption has increased among administrators, faculty, and students, and many educators report that their roles are changing significantly. Faculty who integrate AI into assessment design report stronger student engagement, while students increasingly use AI to manage academic challenges and develop career-relevant skills. The report argues that institutions must move beyond debating whether to adopt AI and instead focus on how to integrate it effectively to improve learning outcomes and workforce preparation. Observations: AI is moving from experimentation to mainstream adoption across higher education....
The AI-related leadership that’s only five years away
Summary: The article argues that artificial intelligence is contributing to a leadership development challenge among younger workers by automating tasks that have traditionally helped employees build judgment, communication skills, confidence, and decision-making experience. As AI increasingly performs research, analysis, and routine problem-solving, organizations risk creating a generation of professionals with fewer opportunities to develop the foundational capabilities needed for leadership roles. The author contends that employers and educators must intentionally create experiences that cultivate critical thinking, interpersonal skills, accountability, and real-world decision-making to prepare Gen Z for future leadership responsibilities. Observations: AI may reduce opportunities for...
Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology
Summary: Pew Research Center’s 2026 Political Typology argues that the U.S. political landscape is more complex than a simple Democrat-versus-Republican divide. Based on responses to 30 questions about political and social values, the study identifies nine distinct groups ranging from highly ideological conservatives and liberals to a large middle made up of voters with mixed views. The research highlights how differences in age, race, ethnicity, policy priorities, political engagement, and cultural values create cross-cutting coalitions that do not fit neatly within party labels. The findings underscore the diversity of perspectives that institutions must navigate when engaging broad audiences. Observations: Broad populations cannot be understood through binary categories alone; values...
Business Education Gets More Specialized
Summary: Specialized master’s programs are currently the fastest-growing segment in business education, driven by economic uncertainty and a heightened demand for clear professional outcomes. Students are increasingly prioritizing degrees that offer a direct link to specific industries, such as business analytics, AI, energy, and logistics, over generalized MBA paths. This shift reflects a strategic response to competitive labor markets where graduates require immediate, job-ready skills. Consequently, business schools are expanding their portfolios beyond traditional disciplines to include niche, sector-specific programs that align closely with regional and global workforce demands, ensuring stronger professional identities and return on investment for learners. Observations: Specialist...
Being a department head has never been more complex
Summary: The article argues that the role of academic department head [& graduate program leader] has become significantly more complex due to growing administrative demands, financial pressures, regulatory requirements, workforce challenges, and institutional change initiatives. Department heads are increasingly expected to balance strategic leadership, operational management, staff development, student concerns, and institutional priorities while often receiving limited preparation for the role. The author contends that the position has evolved beyond traditional academic leadership and now requires a broader set of management, communication, and change leadership skills. Supporting department heads is therefore critical to institutional effectiveness and organizational resilience....
Students Remain Higher Ed’s Cybersecurity Weak Link
Summary: Higher education institutions face significant cybersecurity risks, with students frequently identified as the primary vulnerability. Recent survey data reveals a critical disparity in institutional preparedness: while the vast majority of faculty and staff receive formal cybersecurity training, only a small fraction of students are similarly equipped. This gap is exacerbated by behaviors such as prioritizing digital convenience over security, the widespread use of unsecured personal devices on campus networks, and a surge in sophisticated, AI-driven phishing campaigns. To mitigate these exposures, institutions must move beyond passive awareness and implement systemic, proactive cybersecurity education for students. Observations: There is a systemic imbalance in cybersecurity...
How Business Schools & Industry Can Collaborate To Support Societal Impact Leadership
Summary: The article argues that business schools and industry must work more closely together to develop leaders capable of addressing complex societal challenges. The authors contend that societal impact leadership cannot be taught effectively through classroom instruction alone and requires partnerships that provide students with real-world exposure to sustainability, social responsibility, and stakeholder-focused decision-making. The piece highlights collaboration between businesses and business schools as a means of connecting academic learning with practical experience, helping future leaders understand how organizations can balance financial performance with broader societal outcomes. Observations: Societal impact leadership requires experiential learning in addition to...
3 Takeaways From Spring Enrollment Data
Summary: Spring 2026 enrollment data show continued growth in undergraduate enrollment but emerging challenges for graduate education. While overall graduate enrollment remained relatively stable, enrollment in master’s programs declined by 1.3%, representing about 26,000 fewer students than the previous year. International graduate enrollment also decreased. Community colleges continued to grow, particularly institutions focused on transfer pathways to four-year degrees. Among academic fields, health professions and engineering experienced the strongest growth, while computer science enrollment continued to decline. The findings suggest shifting student demand toward workforce-aligned fields and increasing pressure on master’s programs to demonstrate value and return on investment....
New state moves combine power of college and the workforce
Summary: The article examines how states are restructuring higher education and workforce systems to better align academic programs with labor market needs. States such as Missouri, Colorado, Virginia, and Connecticut are consolidating agencies, coordinating workforce planning, and integrating data systems to improve educational and employment outcomes. These efforts aim to strengthen talent pipelines, support employer-driven program development, and create clearer pathways between education and work. The article notes that while stronger alignment can improve workforce responsiveness, institutions must balance workforce priorities with broader educational goals, regional needs, and student interests. Observations: States are increasingly linking higher education policy, funding, and...
EDUCAUSE Horizon Report Finds AI Reshaping Trust, Future of Learning
Summary: The 2026 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report identifies AI as a driving force reshaping teaching and learning, particularly by challenging trust and credibility between students and faculty. As students increasingly rely on AI for tutoring and academic support, institutions are rethinking assessment, academic integrity, and the role of human relationships in education. The report urges colleges to establish clear norms for ethical AI use while strengthening mentoring, judgment, and student engagement. It also highlights emerging developments such as AI-generated learning materials, AI governance systems, and highly automated workplaces, encouraging institutions to prepare for rapid and uncertain change. Observations: AI is changing student-faculty relationships by shifting how students seek...
AIC Launches Redesigned MBA, New Data Analytics Graduate Programs
Summary: American International College (AIC) has redesigned its MBA and launched new graduate programs in data analytics to prepare professionals for leadership in increasingly data-driven organizations. The MBA integrates leadership development, analytics, and evidence-based decision-making across core business disciplines rather than treating analytics as a separate specialization. Designed for working professionals, the program is offered in online and hybrid formats with accelerated seven-week courses and multiple annual entry points. AIC also introduced a Master of Science in Data Analytics and a combined MBA/MS in Data Analytics pathway, reflecting employer demand for leaders who can combine strategic thinking with advanced analytical capabilities. Observations: Business schools...
My Students Can’t Read
Summary: The author argues that many college students struggle with sustained reading, comprehension, and engagement with complex texts. Faculty increasingly report that students have difficulty completing assigned readings, interpreting arguments, and navigating longer works. The article suggests that these challenges are not simply a matter of motivation but reflect broader shifts in reading habits, digital media consumption, and educational preparation. The author contends that colleges must recognize reading as a skill that requires active development and support rather than assuming students arrive prepared to engage with demanding academic materials. Observations: Reading comprehension and sustained attention are emerging challenges for many college students. Faculty cannot assume...
When the Algorithm Becomes the Customer
Summary: The article argues that business schools must prepare executives for a new commercial reality in which AI systems increasingly make purchasing decisions. The author describes a “Shopper Schism,” where humans define preferences while algorithms execute transactions, reducing the influence of traditional marketing tactics such as brand storytelling and relationship selling. The article contends that executive education has focused on teaching leaders how to use AI but has largely ignored how to compete when AI becomes the customer. It calls for integrated curricula that combine commercial strategy, algorithmic commerce, platform dynamics, and AI-mediated decision-making. Observations: AI-powered purchasing systems are increasingly evaluating suppliers based on data quality,...
The 5 faces of human readiness for AI adoption – and how to work with them
Summary: The article argues that the success of AI adoption depends less on technology and more on workforce readiness. Drawing on research into employee attitudes, the authors identify five AI-readiness profiles—enthusiasts, curious users, cautious users, skeptics, and those opposed to AI. They contend that organizations often fail because leaders focus on technical implementation while overlooking employee concerns about job security, trust, ethics, and changing work roles. The article recommends prioritizing cultural change, human-AI collaboration, and transparent communication to build trust and encourage meaningful adoption rather than superficial compliance. Observations: Human behavior and organizational culture are stronger determinants of AI adoption than technical capability...
The Trust Agenda
Summary: The report argues that restoring public trust in higher education requires institutions to strengthen internal trust, improve affordability, accelerate innovation, and deepen community engagement. Effective shared governance balances broad participation with the ability to act on good ideas, while transparent decision-making builds legitimacy across campus stakeholders. The report also identifies affordability as a major driver of public distrust and calls for greater price transparency and innovation in institutional operations. Finally, it promotes the “anchor institution” model, encouraging colleges and universities to become active community partners that contribute to local economic, educational, and social development. Observations: Public trust is closely tied to...
2026 Business School Data Guide
Summary: The AACSB 2026 Business School Data Guide provides benchmarking data on faculty, staff, and administrator composition across business schools. The report shows that Scholarly Academics remain the dominant faculty qualification category, representing 75.6% of full-time faculty in 2024–25. Faculty demographics reveal continued reliance on tenured faculty, with 54.9% of full-time faculty holding tenure. Gender disparities persist across faculty ranks and leadership positions, with women comprising 38.6% of full-time faculty and 29.8% of deans. The data highlights ongoing challenges and opportunities related to faculty qualifications, workforce planning, diversity, leadership development, and accreditation compliance. Observations: Scholarly Academics continue to comprise the...
The Microcredential Maze: Why The U.S. Is Falling Behind
Summary: The article argues that microcredentials are growing rapidly worldwide, offering flexible, skills-focused alternatives and complements to traditional degrees. However, the United States lacks a coherent national framework for defining, validating, transferring, and sharing these credentials, creating confusion for learners and employers. While universities, technology companies, and credential platforms have developed innovative approaches, the result is a fragmented system with inconsistent terminology, standards, and portability. In contrast, many OECD countries have established national or regional microcredential frameworks. The author contends that the U.S. risks falling behind unless it creates more coordinated systems that connect microcredentials, academic credit, and...
The New Career Odyssey Waiting for Today’s College Grads
Summary: The article describes a more complex and less predictable career landscape facing recent college graduates. Rather than following a traditional progression from entry-level positions to long-term careers, many graduates are navigating multiple job changes, periods of uncertainty, geographic mobility, and evolving employer expectations. Economic shifts, technological change, and labor market disruptions are contributing to nonlinear career paths. The piece suggests that career success increasingly depends on adaptability, continuous learning, resilience, and the ability to identify opportunities across changing industries and roles rather than relying on a single career trajectory. Observations: Early-career employment paths are becoming less linear and more unpredictable....
The Adult Learner Is the New Majority. Higher Education Hasn’t Fully Caught Up
Summary: The article argues that adult learners now represent the majority of higher education students, yet many institutions still operate around traditional models designed for younger, full-time learners. Adult students often balance work, family, and financial pressures while seeking flexible, career-focused education. The piece highlights gaps in scheduling, student services, credit recognition, and institutional culture that limit adult learner success. It calls on colleges and universities to redesign programs, support systems, and administrative processes to better meet the needs of working professionals and lifelong learners who increasingly drive enrollment growth. Observations: Adult learners are becoming the dominant demographic in higher education enrollment. Traditional...
Why accounting programs should hire more adjunct faculty
Summary: The article argues that accounting programs should make greater use of adjunct faculty to address faculty shortages, bring current industry expertise into the classroom, and better prepare students for evolving professional demands. The author contends that adjunct instructors offer practical insights, professional networks, and real-world perspectives that complement the strengths of full-time faculty. They emphasize that successful use of adjuncts requires intentional recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and integration into the academic community. The article presents adjunct faculty not as a temporary solution but as a strategic resource for maintaining program quality and workforce relevance amid growing enrollment and staffing challenges. Observations: Faculty shortages are...
From Quiet Influence to Measurable Impact
Summary: Business schools face growing expectations to demonstrate the societal impact of their research, yet much of that impact occurs through informal, undocumented channels known as “quiet influence.” Traditional citation measures often fail to capture how research shapes policy, organizational practice, and professional decision-making. The article argues that schools can make this influence visible by systematically tracking policy references, engaging research users, collecting documented testimonials, and monitoring alumni who apply research in their organizations. These practices help transform hidden influence into credible, measurable evidence for accreditation, reporting, and strategic planning. Observations: Traditional research metrics do not adequately capture real-world...
Opinion | How Our Growth-Obsessed Universities Spiraled Out of Control
Summary: The article critiques the expansion-driven culture of higher education, arguing that many universities pursued continual growth through new programs, facilities, administrative structures, and enrollment targets without fully considering long-term sustainability. The piece suggests this growth mindset increased institutional complexity, operating costs, and financial vulnerability while shifting attention away from core educational missions. As demographic and financial pressures intensify, colleges and universities are being forced to reconsider assumptions about expansion and scale. The article calls for institutions to focus more deliberately on mission alignment, operational discipline, and sustainable models rather than growth for its own sake. Observations: Expansion...
California State University renews controversial systemwide contract with OpenAI
Summary: The California State University system renewed its systemwide agreement with OpenAI, committing $13 million annually for three years to provide ChatGPT Edu access to more than 470,000 students and 63,000 faculty and staff. University leaders argue the partnership is essential for preparing students for an AI-driven workforce and ensuring equitable access to AI tools. However, faculty critics question the investment during a period of budget cuts and raise concerns about the reliability of AI-generated content, academic integrity, and the educational value of general-purpose chatbots. The renewal also highlights ongoing challenges around AI governance, training, and consistent classroom policies. Observations: Large-scale AI adoption is increasingly being framed as a workforce...
St. John’s College Is Weird. Maybe Yours Should Be More Like It.
Summary: The article argues that higher education institutions can learn from the unconventional model of St. John’s College, which emphasizes discussion-based learning, intellectual curiosity, and a tightly focused curriculum rather than career specialization or market-driven expansion. The piece suggests that the college’s distinct identity and commitment to its educational philosophy have helped it remain relevant despite enrollment pressures affecting higher education broadly. It challenges colleges and universities to differentiate themselves more clearly, prioritize meaningful learning experiences, and resist becoming overly standardized in response to market competition. Observations: Strong institutional identity can help colleges stand out in a crowded higher education market....
High Unemployment Rate for People Under 35 With a Master’s Degree
Summary: The article reports that unemployment among workers under 35 with master’s degrees has reached one of its highest levels in the past two decades, raising concerns about the changing value of graduate education. Data from the Burning Glass Institute suggests that growth in master’s programs has outpaced demand for jobs requiring those credentials, while employers increasingly emphasize practical skills and experience over academic qualifications. The article contrasts this trend with stronger employment outcomes for law, medical, and doctoral degrees and highlights growing skepticism about the return on investment of graduate business education. (Wall Street Journal) Observations: Employers are placing greater emphasis on demonstrated skills rather than graduate credentials...
The University That Chose to Shrink
Summary: The article profiles a university that intentionally chose to shrink in response to demographic, financial, and enrollment pressures rather than pursue unsustainable growth. Leaders focused on aligning institutional size with mission, resources, and long-term viability through program reductions, staffing changes, and operational restructuring. The strategy emphasized sustainability over expansion, acknowledging that smaller scale could improve stability and focus. The case illustrates how some institutions are redefining success by prioritizing resilience, academic quality, and financial balance instead of continual growth. Observations: Institutional downsizing is emerging as a strategic choice rather than solely a crisis response. Sustainable scale may be more important than...
Executive education challengers raise pressure on business schools
Summary: Executive education is becoming more competitive as business schools face growing pressure from online platforms, private training firms, professional bodies, and AI-driven learning providers. Schools such as Saïd Business School are investing in premium in-person experiences, research expertise, and historic campuses to differentiate themselves. Meanwhile, alternative providers are gaining traction with flexible, bite-sized, and AI-focused learning. The article suggests business schools must adapt faster, focus on measurable client outcomes, and form industry partnerships to remain competitive in a fragmented and rapidly evolving executive education market. Observations: Executive education competition now extends beyond traditional business schools. Demand is shifting toward...
Why Colleges Are Slashing MBA Prices
Summary: The article argues that tuition cuts at colleges and MBA programs reflect growing pressure to address affordability concerns and skepticism about student debt. Institutions are increasingly confronting questions about whether tuition prices align with educational value and career outcomes. Rising borrowing costs and concerns over graduate debt burdens are pushing schools to reconsider pricing strategies, particularly for professional programs. The piece suggests that lowering tuition may become a competitive and political necessity as public scrutiny of higher education costs intensifies. Observations: Tuition pricing is becoming a strategic issue tied directly to public trust and enrollment demand. MBA and professional programs face increased scrutiny over return on investment....
Global conflict pushes geopolitics up the executive curriculum
Summary: The article examines how rising geopolitical instability and regional conflict are increasing demand for executive education focused on geopolitics, crisis leadership, supply chains, risk management, and corporate resilience. Business schools in the Middle East and Europe are adapting programs to help executives navigate uncertainty, fragmented markets, and operational disruption. Institutions including American University of Beirut, Esade, ESMT Berlin, International Institute for Management Development, and IE Business School are expanding geopolitical content and integrating AI-supported risk analysis into executive programs as organizations seek guidance on operating in a more volatile global environment. Observations: Geopolitics is shifting from a niche topic to a core...
Stanford Launches Cinema-Quality Studio for Online Classes
Summary: Stanford University has launched a cinema-quality production studio to enhance online learning experiences through high-end video, sound, and interactive instructional design. The initiative reflects growing institutional investment in premium digital education as universities compete for online learners and seek to improve engagement and instructional quality. The studio is intended to support faculty in creating more dynamic and professional online courses, blending educational expertise with advanced media production capabilities. Observations: Universities are investing in high-production digital learning environments to strengthen online education. Online program quality is increasingly tied to media production and learner engagement. Faculty support now extends beyond...
Rethinking The MBA: From One-Time Credential To Lifelong Capability
Summary: The article argues that the MBA should evolve from a one-time credential into a lifelong capability model that supports continuous learning and career adaptation. Rapid technological, economic, and workplace changes are making static degrees less sufficient over time. Business schools are being encouraged to build ongoing relationships with alumni through modular learning, reskilling opportunities, and career-long educational support. The piece emphasizes that future MBA value will depend on continuous relevance, adaptability, and the ability to help graduates navigate repeated professional transitions. Observations: The traditional “one-and-done” MBA model is becoming less sustainable. Lifelong learning is emerging as a core expectation in graduate business education. Alumni...
One free MBA elective every year, for life
Summary: Bayes Business School is offering MBA graduates one free elective course every year for life, reflecting a shift toward continuous learning and long-term alumni engagement. The initiative recognizes that careers, technologies, and leadership demands evolve rapidly, requiring ongoing skill development beyond graduation. By extending learning access indefinitely, the school aims to strengthen alumni relationships while supporting lifelong professional growth and adaptability in a changing business environment. Observations: Business schools are expanding beyond transactional degree models toward lifelong learning relationships. Alumni increasingly expect ongoing access to education and professional development. Continuous reskilling is becoming central to MBA program value...
What Financial Survival in Higher Ed Looks Like
Summary: The article examines how financial survival in higher education increasingly requires difficult institutional choices rather than temporary fixes. Colleges facing enrollment declines, rising costs, and demographic pressures are being forced to rethink operations, academic offerings, staffing, and long-term strategy. Leaders must balance mission with financial sustainability while confronting resistance to change. The piece argues that survival depends on realistic planning, transparency, prioritization, and willingness to adapt institutional structures before financial pressures become unmanageable. Observations: Financial pressures are pushing institutions from incremental adjustments to structural change. Enrollment and demographic shifts are intensifying sustainability...
A University Cut Tuition By Over 20% After Republicans Sharply Limited Grad-School Aid
Summary: The article examines how one university reduced graduate tuition by more than 20% after state Republicans sharply limited financial aid for graduate students. The University of California at Irvine is substantially lowering the price of two business degrees. The Flex M.B.A. program — started in 2024, with the option of being entirely online — will cut its tuition by $30,000, or 23 percent. Faced with affordability concerns and potential enrollment declines, the institution restructured pricing to maintain access and competitiveness. The case highlights growing pressure on universities to respond quickly to policy changes affecting student financing. It also reflects broader concerns about graduate education affordability, institutional pricing models, and the vulnerability of...
Pre-MBA Programs Move from Optional Refreshers to Core Training
Summary: Pre-MBA programs are evolving from optional preparatory courses into core components of MBA readiness and student success strategies. Business schools are increasingly using these programs to strengthen quantitative, analytical, communication, and professional skills before classes begin. The shift reflects growing diversity in student backgrounds and heightened academic expectations. Schools also see pre-MBA training as a way to improve confidence, classroom participation, retention, and career readiness while helping students transition more smoothly into rigorous graduate business programs. Observations: Pre-MBA programs are becoming strategic tools for student success and retention. Diverse student backgrounds are increasing demand for foundational skill-building. Schools...
The Trust Problem in College Pricing Is Real
Summary: The article argues that higher education has a significant trust problem tied to college pricing. Complex tuition structures, inconsistent discounting, hidden costs, and unclear financial aid practices have made it difficult for students and families to understand the true cost of attendance. This lack of transparency contributes to skepticism about institutional value and affordability. The piece suggests that rebuilding trust requires simpler pricing models, clearer communication, and greater honesty about costs, outcomes, and financial expectations. Observations: Complex pricing and aid structures are undermining public trust in higher education. Students and families increasingly expect transparency and predictability in costs. Perceived value is closely tied to clarity...
Hackers steal students’ data during breach at education tech giant Instructure
Summary: Hackers breached education technology company Instructure and stole student data, raising concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities across higher education technology systems. The breach exposed sensitive information connected to educational platforms widely used by institutions. The incident highlights the growing risks tied to expanding digital ecosystems and reliance on third-party vendors. It also underscores the need for stronger data protection, vendor oversight, and institutional preparedness as colleges increasingly depend on cloud-based educational technologies. Observations: Cybersecurity threats to higher education technology platforms are increasing in scale and impact. Third-party vendors create significant institutional risk exposure. Student data protection is...
Higher Ed Has a New Business Model: Uncertainty
Summary: The article argues that uncertainty has become the defining business model of higher education. Institutions are facing simultaneous pressures from demographic shifts, political scrutiny, enrollment volatility, financial instability, and technological disruption. Rather than operating within predictable cycles, colleges must now adapt continuously to changing conditions. Leaders are being pushed to make decisions with incomplete information while balancing mission, financial sustainability, and stakeholder expectations. The piece suggests that resilience, flexibility, and strategic adaptability are becoming essential institutional capabilities. Observations: Uncertainty is becoming a permanent operating condition for higher education institutions. Traditional long-term planning...
Why Systems Thinking Matters in Business Education
Summary: The article argues that systems thinking is becoming essential in business education because leaders increasingly face interconnected economic, social, technological, and environmental challenges. Rather than teaching problems in isolation, business schools should help students understand relationships, feedback loops, and long-term consequences across systems. Systems thinking supports better decision-making, collaboration, and adaptability in complex environments. The article also emphasizes integrating interdisciplinary learning and experiential approaches to prepare graduates for uncertainty and global complexity. Observations: Complex global challenges require integrated rather than siloed business education. Systems thinking strengthens decision-making in uncertain and...
IESE redesigns MBA for the age of AI
Summary: IESE Business School has redesigned its MBA for the age of artificial intelligence, embedding AI throughout the curriculum rather than treating it as a standalone subject. Beginning in September 2026, the program will focus on three capabilities: personal AI fluency, redesigning AI-enabled workflows and operating models, and developing strategic judgment for leading human-AI systems. AI concepts will be integrated across 18 first-year courses and more than 40 sessions addressing real managerial dilemmas. The redesign emphasizes that future leaders must not only use AI tools but also redesign work, evaluate AI outputs, manage risks, and exercise sound judgment in increasingly AI-driven organizations. Observations: IESE is treating AI as a leadership and management challenge that...
Navigating the AI Integration Imperative: Lessons from 48 Business Schools
Summary: The article analyzes how 48 business schools across seven countries are integrating AI into curricula, operations, governance, and pedagogy. The study identifies eight recurring themes behind successful AI adoption, including institution-wide AI literacy, faculty development, ethical integration, strategic partnerships, and leadership commitment. The report argues that AI integration is no longer optional as student expectations and employer demand accelerate faster than institutional readiness. Schools such as University of Leeds, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, and Stanford Graduate School of Business are adopting different but intentional approaches to AI transformation, emphasizing coordinated institutional change rather than isolated experiments. Observations: AI...
Faculty Concerned About ASU’s ‘Frankensteinian’ AI Course Builder
Summary: Faculty are raising concerns about a new AI-focused course introduced by Arizona State University and supported by ASUS, questioning its academic rigor, corporate influence, and potential impact on faculty roles. Critics argue the course may prioritize technical training over critical thinking and lacks sufficient faculty oversight. The initiative reflects a broader push to scale AI education quickly through industry partnerships, but also highlights tensions around governance, curriculum quality, and the role of external providers in higher education. Observations: Industry partnerships are accelerating AI curriculum development but raising concerns about academic control. Faculty are wary of reduced oversight and the potential erosion of traditional academic standards. Rapid...
How well can your institution recover from a ransomware attack?
Summary: The article highlights growing concerns about ransomware attacks on higher education institutions and emphasizes the importance of preparedness and recovery planning. Many institutions remain underprepared, lacking tested incident response plans, clear communication protocols, and robust data backup systems. Effective recovery depends on proactive measures such as regular risk assessments, staff training, and coordination across IT and leadership teams. The piece underscores that recovery is not just a technical issue but an institutional one, requiring strategic planning, investment, and ongoing readiness to minimize disruption and reputational damage. Observations: Many institutions underestimate the complexity of ransomware recovery and lack tested response plans....
Replace Or Reinvent? B-Schools Confront Uncertainty Around AI, Jobs, And The MBA Pipeline
Summary: Business schools are grappling with uncertainty about how AI will reshape jobs and the future demand for MBAs. While some fear AI could reduce the need for traditional management roles, others see an opportunity to reinvent programs by emphasizing human skills, adaptability, and AI fluency. Schools are rethinking curricula, integrating AI tools, and reassessing career pathways for graduates. The article highlights a tension between replacing outdated models and evolving programs to stay relevant, with institutions exploring how to position the MBA as valuable in an AI-driven economy. Observations: AI is creating uncertainty about the long-term value and structure of MBA programs. Schools are shifting toward integrating AI literacy alongside human-centered skills. There is...
Think Global; Write Local
Summary: The article argues that aspiring public scholars should begin engagement at the local level rather than aiming immediately for national visibility. Building relationships with community organizations, local media, and regional audiences allows scholars to develop credibility, refine their voice, and demonstrate impact. Local engagement is more accessible and responsive, offering opportunities to address real-world issues while gaining experience communicating beyond academia. Over time, this foundation can lead to broader influence and recognition. Observations: Public scholarship is more effective when grounded in local communities and relationships. Early-career scholars benefit from starting small rather than pursuing large platforms immediately. Local engagement helps refine...
University Leaders to Test AI Agents in Simulated Environments
Summary: University leaders are beginning to test AI agents in controlled, simulated environments to better understand their capabilities, risks, and impact on higher education. These simulations, developed by Oracle and Drivestream allow institutions to experiment safely with AI-driven decision-making, student support, and administrative tasks before real-world deployment. The approach reflects a cautious but proactive strategy, enabling leaders to evaluate outcomes, refine policies, and address ethical concerns while building institutional readiness for broader AI integration. Observations: Institutions are moving from discussion to experimentation with AI in operational settings. Simulated environments are emerging as a risk-managed approach to AI adoption. Leaders are prioritizing...
Can’t Get ChatGPT to Cite Your College? Try These Tactics.
Summary: The article outlines practical strategies colleges can use to ensure they are accurately represented in AI-generated responses. Institutions should publish clear, accessible, and up-to-date information on their websites, particularly about programs, admissions, and outcomes. Structuring content for search visibility and consistency across platforms improves how AI systems interpret and surface institutional data. The piece emphasizes that AI tools rely on publicly available content, meaning gaps, outdated details, or unclear messaging can lead to omissions or inaccuracies in responses, affecting visibility and reputation. Observations: AI visibility is now influenced by how clearly and consistently institutions publish information online. Outdated or fragmented web content...
Sal Khan, TED, ETS Eye the Degree Market
Summary: Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, along with partners including ETS and TED, is exploring entry into the higher education degree market with a focus on scalable, low-cost, and technology-driven programs. The initiative aims to combine AI-powered learning, assessment, and content delivery to offer an alternative to traditional degrees. While still developing, the effort reflects growing interest from nontraditional providers seeking to expand access and disrupt conventional higher education models by emphasizing affordability, flexibility, and global reach. Observations: Nontraditional education providers are increasingly targeting the degree market. AI and technology are central to scaling affordable, global learning models. Partnerships across content, assessment, and platform...
NEOMA Business School signs partnership with McGill University, strengthening its presence in Canada
Summary: NEOMA Business School has partnered with McGill University to expand international collaboration in business education. The agreement focuses on student exchanges, joint academic initiatives, and research collaboration, strengthening global exposure and cross-institutional learning opportunities. The partnership reflects a broader strategy to enhance internationalization, diversify learning experiences, and build global networks. By aligning with a leading university, NEOMA aims to increase its global visibility and provide students with access to new markets, perspectives, and academic resources. Observations: Strategic partnerships remain a key lever for advancing internationalization in business education. Joint programs and exchanges enhance student exposure to diverse...
The End Of The Executive MBA As We Know It
Summary: The Executive MBA is undergoing a fundamental transformation, shifting from knowledge delivery to building leaders’ judgment under pressure amid complexity and uncertainty. Traditional content-focused programs fall short in training decision-making in real-time ambiguity, resilience, and adaptability. Leading schools are embracing experiential, simulation-based learning integrated with AI and neuroscience to cultivate cognitive agility and continuous transformation. The future EMBA emphasizes capability development over course completion, embedding learning within actual leadership challenges. Programs that foster adaptability, cross-disciplinary thinking, and practical application equip executives to lead effectively in volatile, ambiguous environments, marking a move toward...
Helping Students Translate Degrees Into Careers
Summary: The article emphasizes the need for business schools to better connect academic learning with career outcomes. It argues that students often struggle to articulate the value of their degrees to employers, making it essential for programs to embed career translation skills throughout the curriculum. Schools are encouraged to integrate experiential learning, coaching, and reflection to help students identify and communicate their competencies. Collaboration among faculty, career services, and employers is critical to ensure alignment between curriculum and workforce needs, improving graduates’ ability to navigate career pathways effectively. Observations: Students need structured support to translate academic experiences into employer-relevant skills. Career readiness should be...
State of the Global Workplace Report
Summary: The 2022 Gallup State of the Global Workplace report highlights that only 21% of employees worldwide are engaged at work, revealing a broad challenge in sustaining motivation and productivity. Remote and hybrid work environments are reshaping employee experiences, emphasizing the need for meaningful connections, well-being support, and personalized leadership. These shifts impact talent development and retention, requiring educational programs, including graduate business schools, to rethink how they prepare leaders to manage evolving workforce dynamics effectively in a competitive global economy. Observations: Employee engagement remains low globally, signaling a critical leadership challenge. Hybrid and remote work models require new strategies to foster connection and...
Vlerick Business School and IMT Ghaziabad launch a Global Executive MBA
Summary: Vlerick Business School and IMT Ghaziabad have launched a Global Executive MBA designed specifically for the Indian market. Building on a partnership that began in 2018, the program focuses on two major themes—technology and sustainability—and aims to prepare leaders for India’s continued economic growth and transformation. The curriculum combines Indian and global business perspectives, with each institution delivering approximately half of the coursework. The part-time program includes online learning, international study experiences in India, Europe, and Dubai, and a capstone project focused on solving a strategic challenge within participants’ organizations. Observations: Business schools are expanding cross-border partnerships to create globally relevant executive education...