5 days ago
How Digital Universities Can Help Higher Ed Embrace Change
At this year's Digital Universities US 2025 conference in Salt Lake City, I was reminded of how quickly our sector is evolving. I had the opportunity to join academic leaders, innovators, and partners from across the country to talk candidly about what's working, what's not, and what lies ahead.
Higher education is facing pressure from all sides. Enrollment patterns are shifting. Technology is advancing rapidly. Public skepticism is growing. But even in uncertain moments, there are ways forward. Those ways require coordination, commitment, and the courage to try something new.
Digital Universities 2025 in Salt Lake City
Institutions across the country are working to prepare students for what's next. That means staying close to industry, investing in real-life learning, and adapting programs to meet the demands of a changing economy. It requires focusing on outcomes and measuring success by the real-world opportunities students are able to pursue.
What It Means to Be a Digital University
When we talk about digital universities, we're not just talking about software or screens. We're talking about institutions that embed digital thinking into everything they do. That includes teaching, operations, advising, and partnerships with employers and government. It also includes creating learning environments that are flexible, responsive, and student-centered.
At the conference, there was particular energy around artificial intelligence. Universities nationwide are already rolling out broad access to tools like ChatGPT.
That urgency was reinforced during a discussion of recent federal action. One example is the executive order signed by President Trump titled, 'Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth.' The order outlines a multi-pronged approach to fostering early interest and expertise in AI. It includes the creation of a White House Task Force on AI Education, a Presidential AI Challenge to promote student innovation, and a public-private partnership model to expand K–12 access to AI education. It also prioritizes AI use in teacher training grants and apprenticeships.
Many institutions are now taking action to integrate AI literacy into the student experience. Some are introducing new coursework or training modules. Others are updating institutional policies to guide academic and ethical use of these tools. The goal is not simply to adopt technology but to prepare students to engage with it thoughtfully and effectively.
Meeting Students Where They Are
The modern student is not one type of learner. Some are 18 and entering college for the first time. Others are mid-career professionals looking to pivot. Many are balancing work, family, and school. The institutions that thrive will be those that meet students where they are without sacrificing quality or outcomes.
That means expanding online and hybrid offerings, particularly in graduate and continuing education. It also means preserving robust in-person experiences for traditional undergraduates, especially those just beginning to build confidence, community, and independence.
Institutions must also be transparent about outcomes. Students and families are looking for clear return on investment, whether through job placement, graduate school admission, or other measurable goals.
Building on Common Ground
Technology alone is not enough. We need to think strategically about where higher education and industry can align. That includes building coalitions around AI ethics, workforce training, and data responsibility. I personally have had conversations with business leaders who are asking how colleges and universities can serve as hubs for upskilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning.
There is real promise in deeper collaboration between education providers, employers, and government agencies. That includes credentialing programs, expanded apprenticeship models, and digital tools that enhance advising, career preparation, and course design.
It also means defending what makes our institutions essential. We are seeing increased scrutiny of higher education from policymakers and the public. Some of that criticism is valid. Some of it is opportunistic. Either way, we must respond with honesty and transparency. Our work matters. We must be clear about why.
Looking Ahead
Students across the country are pursuing education with urgency and purpose. They are working, caregiving, and learning, often at the same time. They are collaborating with community partners, experimenting with new tools, and solving problems that matter.
The digital future will not wait for us. We have a choice to make. We can resist change and risk falling behind. Or we can lead change by staying rooted in our mission and focused on results. As a sector, we have the opportunity to shape what comes next.
That means pushing ourselves to innovate, collaborate, and evolve. It means staying focused on equity, access, and readiness. It also means doing what higher education has always done best, educating people who are ready to take the next step.
Institutions, like us at Pace University, are doing this work by developing programs aligned with workforce needs, expanding access through flexible learning pathways, and staying close to industry to ensure students graduate with the skills and the mindset that today's economy demands.
President Krislov delivering an opening address
