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Webinar Recordings

Published
April 9, 2026

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Trends that Impact Higher Education Planning

Insights from SCUP’s Spring 2026 Trends in Higher Education Report

By: Nicholas Santilli, University of San Diego | Dr. Ashley Strong Green, Augusta University

Join Nicholas Santilli and Ashley Strong-Green for a dynamic conversation exploring the external forces shaping higher education in 2026. Drawing from SCUP’s Spring 2026 Trends for Higher Education report, they’ll offer their perspective on what these trends really mean for your institution—and how to act on them.
Abstract: Join Nicholas Santilli and Ashley Strong-Green for a dynamic conversation exploring the external forces shaping higher education in 2026. Drawing from SCUP’s Spring 2026 Trends for Higher Education report, they’ll offer their perspective on what these trends really mean for your institution—and how to act on them. You’ll gain more than a list of trends. This session brings fresh insights, real-world context, and practical takeaways that go beyond the report. Leverage what you learn to enhance your team’s strategic, scenario, and contingency planning—and stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile landscape. What This Webinar Will Cover
  • Social trends impacting higher education in 2026
  • Technological trends impacting higher education in 2026
  • Economic trends impacting higher education in 2026
  • Environmental trends impacting higher education in 2026
  • Political trends impacting higher education in 2026

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    Trends for Higher Education

    Published
    March 16, 2026

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    Trends Inside Higher Education | Spring 2026

    By: Apryl Motley, CAE

    What are key movements and trends within higher education? From agentic AI to restructuring initiatives, learn the forces and changes directly impacting higher education, now and in the future.
    Abstract: Integrated planning prepares your institution for change by ensuring its decisions are informed by realities in the external environment. What are key movements and trends within higher education? From agentic AI to restructuring initiatives, learn the forces and changes directly impacting higher education, now and in the future. This issue curates and summarizes 40–50 trends happening inside the world of higher education that could impact colleges and universities. Each trend includes a brief summary, a footnoted source, and discussion questions to help you analyze and act on the trend.

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    Planning for Higher Education Journal

    Published
    March 13, 2026

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    Can the ‘Iron Triangle’ Be Bent?

    Institutions Attempt to Maintain Quality and Access While Freezing Tuition

    By: Rich Michal, EdD

    This article explores the implementation and sustainability of long-term (10+ years) tuition freezes at two large public flagship research universities: Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    From Volume 52 Number 2 | Jan–Mar 2026 2026

    Abstract: Amid declining public trust, demographic challenges, and mounting concerns about affordability, many institutions are asking whether the long-held “iron triangle” of higher education—where reducing cost inevitably diminishes quality and underrepresented student access—still holds true. This article draws on case studies of Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, which sustained decade-long tuition freezes. Their experiences reveal lessons in leadership, culture, process reengineering, financial positioning, and trade-offs that suggest the iron triangle can, in some cases, be bent.

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    Planning for Higher Education Journal

    Published
    January 20, 2026

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    Beyond Compliance

    Building a Sustainable Assessment Framework for Continuous Improvement at Scale

    By: Amanda M. Main, PhD, and Sean W.G. Robb, PhD

    A case study of a public university’s college of business administration contributes empirical evidence of scaling challenges and offers a transferable framework for institutions seeking to enhance assessment capabilities while maintaining faculty engagement.

    From Volume 54 Number 2 | January–March 2026

    Abstract: Using a longitudinal case study spanning two decades (2003–2022), the authors analyzed how a large public university’s college of business administration designed a system that balanced institutional assessment needs with faculty workload considerations. Their findings revealed that successful large-scale assessment systems require: (1) multilevel organizational structures with clear staff roles, (2) embedded assessment measures leveraging existing coursework, (3) technological infrastructure to streamline data collection, and (4) robust feedback mechanisms ensuring interventions are implemented and evaluated. The study contributes empirical evidence of scaling challenges and offers a transferable framework for large institutions seeking to enhance assessment capabilities while maintaining faculty engagement.

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    Trends for Higher Education

    Published
    November 14, 2025

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    Trends for Higher Education | The Student Voices Edition

    This special issue of Trends describes student perspectives on four trends featured in recent issues of Trends for Higher Education: AI, personal finances, enrollment and attrition, and international students. Learn more about the opinions, reactions, and perspectives students have about these critical topics, preparing your institution to engage with your students in a more informed way.
    Abstract: Integrated planning leverages stakeholder insights and knowledge to make better, more informed decisions. No stakeholder is more important than our students, which is why we’re releasing a special issue of Trends focusing on their perspectives. This Trends for Higher Education: The Student Voices Edition describes student perspectives on four trends featured in recent issues of Trends for Higher Education. Campus Sonar, a social listening firm, collected data from social platforms like Reddit and X to analyze what students are saying about artificial intelligence, their personal finances, enrollment and attrition decisions, and international students. Learn more about the opinions, reactions, and perspectives students have about these critical issues, preparing your institution to engage with your students in a more informed way. Use this report to:
    • Inform your student stakeholder engagement strategies
    • Develop questions for student surveys and focus groups
    • Benchmark against findings from your student stakeholder engagement efforts
    • Add context to what you’ve learned about your students and their perspectives

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    Webinar Recordings

    Published
    September 17, 2025

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    Trends that Impact Higher Education Planning Fall 2025

    By: Jason Nicholas, Northern Michigan University | Tina Dee, Muskegon Community College

    Join Jason Nicholas and Tina Dee for a dynamic conversation exploring the external forces shaping higher education in 2025. Drawing from SCUP’s upcoming Trends Outside Higher Education | Fall 2025 report, they’ll offer their perspective on what these trends really mean for your institution—and how to act on them.
    Abstract: Join Jason Nicholas and Tina Dee for a dynamic conversation exploring the external forces shaping higher education in 2025. Drawing from SCUP’s upcoming Trends Outside Higher Education | Fall 2025 report (available September 15), they’ll offer their perspective on what these trends really mean for your institution—and how to act on them. You’ll gain more than a list of trends. This session brings fresh insights, real-world context, and practical takeaways that go beyond the report. Leverage what you learn to enhance your team’s strategic, scenario, and contingency planning—and stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile landscape.

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    Trends for Higher Education

    Published
    September 12, 2025

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    Trends Outside Higher Education | Fall 2025

    By: Apryl Motley, CAE

    How is the world outside your institution changing? From the growth of microschools to the decline of digital platforms and services, colleges and universities continue to face an environment that is uncertain and rapidly changing. Learn the key trends and movements that might impact your institution.
    Abstract: Integrated planning prepares your institution for change by ensuring its decisions are informed by realities in the external environment. How is the world outside your institution changing? From the growth of microschools to the decline of digital platforms and services, colleges and universities continue to face an environment that is uncertain and rapidly changing. Learn the key trends and movements that might impact your institution. This issue curates and summarizes 40–50 trends happening outside the world of higher education that could impact colleges and universities. Each trend includes a brief summary, a footnoted source, and discussion questions to help you analyze and act on the trend.

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    Blog Post

    Published
    August 4, 2025

    The Campus Planner in a Time of Turmoil

    Your Role Is as Adviser, Not the Ultimate Decision-Maker

    By: Frederick W. Mayer, Campus Planner Emeritus, University of Michigan

    A founding member of SCUP shares some of his experiences and thoughts on how to deal with the challenges and turmoil facing higher education.

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    Webinar Recordings

    Published
    April 30, 2025

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    Trends that Impact Higher Education Planning: Insights from SCUP’s Spring Trends in Higher Education Report

    By: Dana Prymak, Associate Director, Strategic Planning and Foresight | Diane S. Stephens, Associate Vice President for Academic Resources and Planning Emeritus

    Join Diane Stephens and Dana Prymak for a conversation highlighting insights from SCUP’s Spring Trends in Higher Education Report. This document provides an overview of the important external forces that impact institutional operations—it’s an essential tool for strategic planning, scenario planning, and contingency planning.
    Abstract: Join Diane Stephens and Dana Prymak for a conversation highlighting insights from SCUP’s Spring Trends in Higher Education Report. This document provides an overview of the important external forces that impact institutional operations—it’s an essential tool for strategic planning, scenario planning, and contingency planning.

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    Planning for Higher Education Journal

    Published
    April 4, 2025

    Institutional Transformation and Successful Accreditation Review Through Data-Informed Collaboration

    Gain Accountability with Values-Based Integrated Planning

    By: Shawna Herwick, MSW, and Paul Illich, PhD

    Implementing a values-based integrated planning framework equipped Southeast Community College to leverage the data it collected to build and strengthen relationships, align the institution within and across divisions, and prepare for change. The efforts led to the successful modernization of facilities, historic enrollment growth, staffing increases, other operational improvements, and a positive accreditation outcome.

    From Volume 53 Number 2 | January–March 2025

    Abstract: Southeast Community College (SCC) applied an integrated framework approach to inform all aspects of its successful comprehensive accreditation review. Following decades of reviews leading to monitoring and focused visits to address opportunities for improvement, SCC managed its most recent comprehensive assessment through integrated planning to ensure the accreditation process coincided with building relationships, aligning divisions and departments, and promoting a culture that is well prepared for change. This structured and focused integrated planning method for comprehensive accreditation review was associated with a successful outcome that involved no monitoring or required follow-up for the first time in the College’s accreditation history.

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