Blog Post

SCUP’s Fall 2023 Trends for Higher Education provides a high-level overview of trends in our world today and how they may affect higher education. It applies a STEEP analysis, a tool used to map external social, technological, economic, environmental, and political factors affecting an organization, to classify topics. Institutions should be aware of these trends—whether viewed as opportunities or threats—so they can respond appropriately.

I attended a recent SCUP webinar hosted by Jim Downey and Nick Santilli, which offered insight into the current issue of Trends. In response, I’m adding my thoughts to the discussion about two of the trends, technology and economics.

Technology Trend: Cell Phones

Trends shared some surprising stats: one study found that 89 percent of Americans check their phones within 10 minutes of waking in the morning, and another set of data noted that more than 50 percent of Americans agreed to having a cell phone addiction.

Rather than viewing my cell phone as addictive, I think it’s a way to be more productive and to stay in touch with family and friends. But let’s consider that even before getting out of bed in the morning, you can scroll on Instagram, check the final score from last night’s baseball game, respond to an email or two, start the smart kettle for tea, and review notes for a 9 a.m. presentation. Could all of this lead to an addiction?

I recently had dinner with a friend, and she held a different perspective about cell phones. Within the timespan of our meal, her personal and work phones buzzed with notifications at least 10 times each. When I brought up the SCUP webinar and shared the statistics with her, she said, “Well, yeah, I’m completely addicted to my phone. Even while watching TV, I’m scrolling. I don’t really know what I’m scrolling through, but I’m looking at something on my phone.”

If this form of technology is so ingrained in our lives, how are we as members of the higher education community leveraging it to improve the student experience and support student success?

Are we asking students how they use their cell phones? Are we turning students’ cell phones into a “one-stop-shop kind of tool” to help them register for classes, post comments on discussion boards, complete assessments in the learning management system, schedule an advisement session, check out next week’s university events, and complete other tasks? Accommodating student needs via the use of cell phones can be a key variable in the equation of their success.

Economic Trend: View of Leadership

Although not discussed in detail during the webinar, Trends highlighted employees’ current views of leaders. According to results of a 2022 survey, only about 21 percent of US employees “strongly agree” that they trust their organization’s leaders. I’m curious what the percentage was for “agree” responses.

And while 21 percent seems to be a low number, the data show “strongly agree” responses are down from a peak high in 2019 of 24 percent (but up from 2011’s 17 percent). I wonder if the accessibility of information in this digital world has affected employees’ views of their leaders. Have our expectations for leaders changed? Would results have been higher or lower if the survey focused on employees’ views of coworkers rather than leaders.

Trends suggested actions leaders can take to help foster a sense of trust with their employees: communicate with clarity, talk about the future with confidence, and support change when needed.

I recently participated in Prosci Change Management training. It was noted that some current data indicate that employees want important information to come from the executive leader—and information that impacts them on a personal level to come from a direct supervisor. We all know that communication matters, inside and outside of the workplace.

How institutions respond to the following question prompted by Trends is important: “How often do leaders engage in one-on-one conversations with people at our institution?” I’d expand on the question: Are there group communications opportunities (not just one-on-one conversations) “baked into” the cadence? Are conversations taking place at all levels of the organization? Regularly reviewing and answering these and similar questions will help leaders to form relationships with employees to gain their trust.

Economic Trend: Senior Adult Housing (University-Based Retirement Communities)

The discussion included a topic I have been unaware of: senior adult housing on university campuses. The webinar’s hosts said there is a looming housing crisis for seniors—and noted that institutions will have to consider whether they will be part of a solution.

Senior adult housing on or near campus, which is also termed “university-based retirement communities,” provides a place for older individuals to interact with younger college students and the community. This campus interaction seems to be an example of community engagement done well. The relationship cultivates learning and connection between two generations for the benefit of all involved. I wonder how this on-campus change will affect curriculum. Will more institutions begin to offer academic programs focused on gerontology and similar areas of study? Will these classes see an increase in enrollment?

Can trends be more than just interesting, informative, and reflective of our world? Are they actionable? It would be nonsensical to act on every trend someone identifies. But to act on a trend that aligns with the institution’s mission and vision—and leverages the institution’s strengths for future student success—is both strategic and wise. Isn’t that what strategic planning and effective implementation are all about: putting trends to good use?

Author bio

Brittany Cipollone, MBA, MAT, is the director of integrated planning and effectiveness in the Division of Institutional Effectiveness at Augusta University.