2023 Predictions for HigherEd
Three to jot down, comment and act on
As 2022 was winding down, the Boston Globe B-Side reached out to ask me to make some predictions for 2023 in the world of Higher Ed. Because the B-Side is a skim style quick read, there was limited space, so I thought if my brain went into overdrive prepping, I would throw down my predictions here for you to jot down, comment and act on.
Continued rise of Unions: As I said to the B-Side, unions and the unionization of campus will continue to grow, especially as in jobs where undergraduate students are the workforce. Resident Assistants, hourly wage workers in the library, dining halls, front desk attendants … the generational consciousness of Generation Z toward all matters equity related helps to set a fertile ground for unionization. Fair wage talks at Starbucks, Amazon and other industries that Gen Z supports and works at provide context for the power of unionization. And their peers who have successfully unionized - they are literally offering out playbooks for how to make it happen. Campuses need to get honest about unionization, and create their own playbook for response to such collective efforts. Students are savvy enough to look at your mission - and any campus with ‘equity’ in their mission, vision or values who is shutting down unions will find themselves painted into a corner.
Housing Crunch: Anyone who is renting, buying or looking for something to rent or buy knows - housing is expensive and limited. We have a housing PROBLEM in this country with not enough affordable housing for those who need it and a NIMBY vibe that seems to permeate communities rural, suburban and urban blocking high density and multi-use building projects. HigherEd is well aware of the NIMBY reality, having navigated town/gown relations for as long as campuses have existed — but the ability to build campus sponsored housing often runs up against challenges ranging from neighbors who don’t want a residence hall in their site lines, to the cost to build and maintain. Problem is, it’s not only about student housing, it’s also about faculty and staff who want to live in a commutable distance to campus, but the housing prices or inventory make that reality difficult and have turned faculty housing solutions into a recruitment tool. Campuses will need to address the housing crunch with multiple avenues toward meeting their community living needs.
Instagram Worthy Experiences: The pandemic will continue to have a ripple effect on campus life - specifically as it relates to student affinity and engagement. Many clubs and organizations that moved to Zoom were unable to sustain energy and enthusiasm. At best, they are still finding their footing, at worse they no longer exist. In the meantime, campuses are under scrutiny for their ROI. And students? Well they want campus events and activities that appear on their Instagram feed complete with smiling faces properly lit with uplighting and 360 angles. There is going to be a heightened sense of pressure on student engagement efforts to be sure that campus organizations are not only regrouping into more effective and sustainable entities, but also - students (and the people paying their bills) are going to demand Instagram worthy experiences immediately, and they don’t care who is putting them on.
Bookmark or jot these down - and let’s come back together in December to see how I did. In the meantime, I’d love to hear YOUR predictions for 2023.
Fortify Features
Dr. Laura De Veau is Principal & Founder of Fortify Associates, LLC. Fortify Associates, LLC is unique in the higher education, not-for-profit, and public service market. They provide comprehensive workshops, program reviews and project management services with a combination of in-person and virtual delivery. Fortify Associates is committed to creating experiences that are unique to the needs and culture of each of their clients. Fortify Associates wants to elevate your organization and help you optimize your workplace. As a Predictive Index partner, Fortify can leverage the power of PI with the knowledge and talent of the Fortify team to create a truly unique set of offerings. Contact Dr. De Veau