Making Meaning of Trends: A Working Group on Emerging Issues in Higher Education

Making Meaning of Trends: A Working Group on Emerging Issues in Higher Education

In a fast-changing higher education landscape, it can be difficult to interpret the constant stream of reports, headlines, and predictions—and even harder to translate those trends into meaningful action. This working group brings together professionals from across the sector to make sense of what’s happening now, what might be coming next, and how to respond strategically. Through candid peer dialogue and guided facilitation, participants will explore key trends, share what they’re observing on their own campuses, and learn how others are analyzing and acting on signals of change both inside and outside of higher education. We’ll also briefly consider how AI tools can help scan signals, synthesize reports, and test scenarios—supporting (not replacing) human judgment in making sense of trends.

Who Is This For?

This working group is for higher education professionals who are responsible for understanding, interpreting, or responding to emerging trends and issues on their campuses. You’ll find it especially valuable if you:

• Advise campus leaders or teams on planning, strategy, or innovation.
• Monitor external developments to inform institutional decisions.
• Translate trend data into actionable insights for your department or unit.
• Want to explore what matters most—and what’s just noise—in a peer setting.

Benefits

• Direct access to a small network of peers navigating similar challenges.
• A facilitated space to test ideas and refine approaches in real time.
• A break from institutional silos—engage in open, cross-institutional dialogue.

Facilitator

James Downey

Senior Strategy Consultant

Registration

Note: This conversation will not be recorded.

Deadlines

You will receive an email, including meeting links, approximately one week prior to the beginning of the first session.

Registration will close on April 24, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern.

*Cancellations must be made in writing and may be submitted by email to your registration team registration@scup.org by 4/17/2026. Refunds are subject to a processing fee – 10% of the total purchase. No-shows are not eligible for a refund, and funds committed by purchase order must be paid in full by the first day of the event. Refunds will be issued within 30 days of received written notification.

Please contact the Josh Humbel at josh.humbel@scup.org with any questions.