• AI in the Workplace: Michael Horn Hosts WGU's Future of Work Panel
    Jul 29 2025
    In this special bonus episode of Future U, Michael Horn moderates a panel discussion on the future of work and learning in the age of AI. Recorded at a Western Governors University event in Boston, the conversation features insights from industry leaders across technology, consulting, and higher education.Panelists Paul Bingham (WGU), Will Bass (formerly of Comcast), Kara Wiekowski (Accenture), and Wayne Duso (former VP at AWS) explore the transformative impact of AI on workforce development, talent acquisition, and educational models. They discuss whether we should view AI as revolutionary like the smartphone or complementary like the microwave, share strategies for upskilling at both individual and organizational levels, and examine innovative approaches to virtual internships and experiential learning.Whether you're an educator, administrator, business leader, or student contemplating your career path, this episode provides valuable insights on navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of work, technology, and education.Chapters0:00 - Introduction2:34 - AI Perspectives: Optimism vs. Concerns6:28 - The Microwave vs. Smartphone Analogy9:09 - AI as an Accelerant of Change12:29 - Job Anxiety and Workforce Evolution21:22 - Rethinking Talent Acquisition and Development23:25 - Creating a Holistic Talent Approach24:41 - Accenture's AI Talent Strategy27:29 - The Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Approach33:58 - Learning at the Speed of Human Capacity37:23 - Skill Forward: Balancing Organization and Individual Growth40:45 - Learning Models for Different Types of Adopters43:39 - On-the-Job Training and Strategic Learning47:55 - The Challenge of Finding Time to Learn53:04 - Virtual Experiences and the Future of Internships Further Reading"AI Skills Fundamentals Certificate" - Western Governors UniversityWGU's certificate program designed to help professionals develop foundational AI knowledge and skills applicable across various industries, supporting both personal growth and organizational innovation."AI Won't Replace Humans—But Humans With AI Will Replace Humans Without AI" - Harvard Business ReviewAn insightful article by Harvard professor Karim Lakhani explaining how AI will lower the cost of cognition and why business leaders must experiment with AI applications for all employees, not just tech workers."The Upskilling Imperative: Required at Scale for the Future of Work" - McKinseyResearch highlighting how companies can take a larger role in upskilling employees by eliminating barriers of time and cost, with specific strategies for developing critical workforce capabilities."ChatGPT is Going to Change Education, Not Destroy It" - MIT Technology ReviewAn examination of how AI tools like ChatGPT are being reevaluated by educators as potential classroom aids rather than threats, with practical examples of implementation across educational settings."The Future of Skills: Employment in 2030" - PearsonA comprehensive research report that identifies which occupations and skills are likely to be in demand by 2030, considering seven megatrends including technological change, globalization, and demographic shifts. Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education NewsletterWebsiteLinkedInX (Twitter)Threads Connect with Jeff Selingo:Sign Up for the Next NewsletterWebsiteX (Twitter)ThreadsLinkedInConnect with Future U:TwitterYouTubeThreadsInstagramFacebookLinkedIn Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.
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    1 Std. und 2 Min.
  • Rerun: The New Student-Ready College
    Jul 15 2025

    While college-going rates have increased over recent decades, completion rates have hardly budged. On this episode, Michael and Jeff sit down with one entrepreneur working to change that. Mike Larsson is the co-founder and CEO of Duet, an organization collaborating with an online university to provide on-the-ground coaching and physical space for students. They discuss the role wraparound supports play in supporting more students towards graduation, the keys to reengaging students who have stopped out, the nationwide spread of hybrid models like Duet’s, and more.

    Links We Share

    College Reimagined by Jon Gabrieli et al.

    Chapters

    0:00 - Intro

    02:12 - The Founding Story of Duet

    08:53 - Reaching Students with “Some College No Degree”

    11:23 - A Personal Trainer for College

    13:17 - Duet’s Outcomes

    17:07 - “The Hard Policy Answer”

    21:00 - The Growth of Hybrid College

    24:39 - Affordability, Flexibility, and Disruption

    29:46 - Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships to Better Serve Adult Learners

    33:26 - Improving the Outcomes of Community Colleges

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    37 Min.
  • Rerun: Higher Ed 101: College Budgets Explained
    Jul 1 2025
    As colleges navigate increasing financial pressure, many struggle to balance mission with sustainability. In this episode, Jeff and Michael welcome Rick Staisloff, founder of rpk GROUP, for a crash course in how college budgets really work. From centralized vs. decentralized models to the challenges of tuition discounting, Rick breaks down the major drivers of revenue and expense in higher ed. He also highlights why better business intelligence, clearer accountability, and a shift toward ROI thinking are essential for financial sustainability. Whether you're a board member or just curious, this episode offers practical insight into what’s working—and what’s not—in college budgeting. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group and the Gates Foundation.Chapters0:00 - Intro03:45 - How colleges put together their budgets9:05 - Implementation challenges and best practices15:04 - Non-tuition revenue sources26:21 - Cost drivers29:41 - Solving the “Financial Bucket Problem”35:41 - Deferred maintenance38:11 - Shifting to an ROI mindset41:04 - The levers to pull43:14 - On the margins46:44 - College cash sources49:03 - Our most promising strategiesRelevant LinksRPK Group Official WebsiteAccess the official online presence of RPK Group, the consulting firm founded by episode guest Rick Staisloff. This resource provides further information regarding their advisory services in higher education finance and the development of sustainable institutional business models.Responsibility Centered Management (RCM) Manual - Kent State UniversityThis document offers a comprehensive exposition of Responsibility Centered Management (RCM), a decentralized budgetary framework prevalent within higher education institutions. Review for detailed insight into its operational principles and implementation methodologies.Tuition Discounting Hits Another High - Inside Higher EdConsult this article for current data and analysis pertaining to the escalating rates of tuition discounting at private nonprofit colleges. The content elucidates the impact of institutional financial aid on net tuition revenue, a critical financial metric discussed herein.A National Study of Capital Infrastructure at Colleges and Schools of Agriculture | APLUThis report details the substantial and accumulating challenges of deferred maintenance across tertiary education establishments. It provides quantitative data and analytical perspectives on infrastructure-related financial burdens as referenced by Mr. Staisloff.Understanding Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems in EdTech - EllucianThis resource provides an overview of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, elaborating on their function as integrated platforms for managing administrative and academic operations. It highlights their utility in enhancing institutional efficiency, business intelligence, and data-driven strategic planning within higher education.Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education NewsletterWebsiteLinkedInX (Twitter)Threads Connect with Jeff Selingo:Sign Up for the Next NewsletterWebsiteX (Twitter)ThreadsLinkedInConnect with Future U:TwitterYouTubeThreadsInstagramFacebookLinkedIn Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.
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    51 Min.
  • Rerun - The Lost Boys of Higher Ed
    Jun 19 2025

    We revisit one of the most impactful episodes from season 8, The Lost Boys of Higher Ed. Women have outnumbered men on college campuses for decades, but the divergence in postsecondary success has widened in recent years, and it is both a cause and symptom of the struggles of the modern man. Richard Reeves, author of Of Boys and Men joins the podcast to discuss the drivers of these challenges, promising interventions, and whether we should care about the plight of men in a world where they continue to wield power. This episode is made with support from the Gates Foundation, Ascendium Education Group, and The American College of Education.

    Links We Share

    Of Boys and Men:Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What To Do About It

    by Richard Reeves

    https://www.menincollege.com

    American Institute for Boys and Men

    Chapters

    00:00 - Intro

    04:15 - Where We Are (and Aren't) Seeing the Gender Divide

    05:56 - Designing College with The Modern Young Man in Mind

    12:28 - Drivers of the Higher Ed Gender Divide

    16:30 - The Effects of the Pandemic

    19:41 - The Larger Significance of the Problem

    26:50 - Opting Out of Adulting

    31:52 - Masculinity and Majors

    34:22 - K12 Solutions: Nobody's Fault, Everyone's Responsibility

    37:32 - What Higher Ed Can Do

    41:47 - International Parallels

    44:38 - Rebalancing Education Systems

    49:06 - Zero-Sum Game or Growing the Pie?

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    51 Min.
  • Season 8 Wrap Up: Looking Back and Ahead
    Jun 3 2025
    Jeff and Michael conclude the eighth season of Future U. with a one-on-one discussion of the lessons and themes from this year’s conversations. They address the range of topics covered - from the transformative effects of AI to the recent flurry of Federal executive orders to the reckoning to be done in higher education. For each, they summon the insights from this season’s guests to analyze how they have shaped the higher ed landscape and consider how they will continue to do so going forward. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group and the Gates Foundation.Chapters0:00 - Intro1:39 - Jeff’s Next Book5:17 - Trump’s Effect on the Year of Reckoning15:20 - The Shifting Power Balance20:13 - Demonstrating Value25:27 - Colleges’ Core Competencies38:11 - Who’s Looking Forward?42:19 - Saying Goodbye for Summer Further Reading2025 Higher Education Trends Report | Deloitte InsightsComprehensive analysis of the challenges facing higher education in 2025, including financial pressures, risk management, and strategic planning that aligns with the "year of reckoning" discussion.12 Higher Ed Challenges in 2025 and Exemplars Solving ThemDetailed examination of enrollment declines, AI disruption, and institutional responses with real-world examples of colleges successfully addressing these challenges.Trump Administration Executive Orders on Higher Education | U.S. Department of EducationOfficial statements and details about the executive orders affecting higher education, including accreditation reform and foreign funding transparency.How Will AI Influence Higher Ed in 2025? | Inside Higher EdExpert predictions and guidance for how colleges and universities will navigate AI integration in 2025, directly supporting the AI theme in the podcast.The Future of AI in Higher Education | EDUCAUSESurvey results showing how higher education professionals view AI's future role in learning analytics, accessibility, and institutional operations.Combating the Enrollment Cliff | NAFSAAnalysis of how the demographic cliff beginning in 2025 might offer opportunities for international student recruitment and institutional adaptation.Bill Ackman: How to Fix Harvard | The Free PressAckman's detailed critique of Harvard and higher education, providing context for the discussion about his views on institutional reform and federal funding.How Can College Leaders Navigate Mergers and Closures in 2025? | Higher Ed DiveExpert guidance on merger strategy and the complexities of "Big Scary Change" that institutions face, relating to the slow merger discussion.Sian Beilock Leadership Profile | Aspen IdeasBackground on Dartmouth's president who was highlighted as exemplifying strong leadership during campus challenges and free speech issues.AI and Education: Shaping the Future | Inside Higher EdInsights from Stanford's AI+Education Summit 2025 about coordinated efforts needed across higher education for responsible AI implementation.AI in Education: 2025 Statistics & Future of LearningData-driven analysis showing that 89% of students use ChatGPT for homework and other statistics relevant to the AI adoption discussion.Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education NewsletterWebsiteLinkedInX (Twitter)Threads Connect with Jeff Selingo:Sign Up for the Next NewsletterWebsiteX (Twitter)ThreadsLinkedInConnect with Future U:TwitterYouTubeThreadsInstagramFacebookLinkedIn Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.
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    47 Min.
  • Former Governor Dishes on Connecting Work and College
    May 27 2025

    In this episode, former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift joins Jeff and Michael to explore how to rebuild the broken college-to-career pipeline. Now leading Education at Work, a nonprofit that provides work-based learning opportunities for undergraduates, Swift shares how her organization supports first-generation and Pell-eligible students with paid, career-relevant jobs during college. The conversation also dives into the policy vacuum left by congressional inaction, the role of states in driving innovation, and where bipartisan opportunities still exist in connecting higher education to the workforce. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group and the Gates Foundation.

    Publications Mentioned:

    Handshake 2025 Annual Report

    Chapters

    0:00 - Intro

    02:57 - Fixing the College to Career Pipeline

    14:48 - Building Soft Skills

    17:47 - The Higher Ed Policy Vacuum

    24:28 - Federal Policy Enablers for Work-Based Learning

    28:06 - State Governments to the Rescue?

    30:46 - The Opportunity for Bipartisanship

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    35 Min.
  • Higher Ed on the Hill: Getting College Back on the Congressional Agenda
    May 20 2025

    With higher education policy increasingly driven by executive action, Michael and Jeff explore why Congress has been largely absent from the conversation—and what that means for students and institutions. They’re joined by James Kvaal, former Under Secretary of Education under the Biden Administration, and Preston Cooper of the American Enterprise Institute, for a bipartisan discussion about stalled reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, cuts to the Department of Education, the future of international students at American colleges, and more. This episode is made with support from the Gates Foundation.

    Chapters

    0:00 - Intro
    04:44 - The Cost of Congressional Inaction
    13:28 - Unlocking Movement on Higher Ed
    19:53 - Areas for Bipartisan Compromise
    23:15 - The Big Change We Need
    28:33 - The Impact of Cuts to the Department of Education
    32:58 - Immigration and International Students
    38:23 - Agreement Across the Aisle
    43:55 - Changes Since the Last HEA Reauthorization
    48:12 - Too Much Focus on the Elites?

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    56 Min.
  • Live from Milken: Hurdles and Hopes in Higher Education
    May 9 2025

    In a special episode recorded at the Milken Global Institute, Jeff moderates a wide-ranging panel with higher education leaders including the presidents of Dartmouth, Stanford, UC San Diego, Yeshiva University, and the CEO of ETS. The conversation explores the crises and critiques facing higher ed—from campus protests and declining public trust to research funding and economic ROI. The leaders discuss how institutions can reaffirm their missions, serve a broader public, and restore faith in the value of a degree in an era of polarization and political scrutiny.

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    51 Min.