Resource News

2026 Presidents Institute (Council of Independent Colleges)
Date: January 4–7, 2026
Location: Orlando, FL
Theme: A Deeper Purpose
Attendees will engage in high-level discussions on leadership, resilience, and policy shaping higher education—ideal for presidents and those aspiring to senior administrative roles seeking strategic insight and networking.

LILLY Conference – San Diego, CA (International Teaching Learning Cooperative, LLC)
Date: January 8–10, 2026
Location: San Diego, CA
Theme: Teaching for Active & Engaged Learning in the Age of AI
Attendees will gain evidence-based strategies and connect with a community of educators committed to improving student learning and advancing teaching excellence.

AAC&U Annual Meeting (American Association of Colleges and Universities)
Date: January 21–23, 2026
Location: Washington, DC
Theme: Answering the Call for Constructive Engagement
This conference provides an opportunity for the higher education community to join with policymakers and cross-sector leaders to confront urgent challenges, such as rebuilding trust, educating for democracy, and preparing for an AI-enhanced future.

CHEA Annual Conference (Council for Higher Education Accreditation)
Date: January 26–29, 2026
Location: Washington, DC
Theme: Leading with Integrity in a Shifting Landscape: Innovation, Accountability, and the Future of Accreditation
This conference explores how values-based leadership can uphold academic quality, leverage transparency for continuous improvement, and embrace innovation responsibly—all while advancing equity and student success in a dynamic regulatory environment.

College Affordability Nonprofit Warns of Student Debt “Default Cliff” | Inside Higher Ed
A new survey of federal student loan borrowers by the nonprofit Institute for College Access and Success found that about a fifth of borrowers are currently in either delinquency or default, highlighting the possibility of a “default cliff,” where large numbers of borrowers could default on their payments. Forty-five percent of respondents said their debt has negatively affected their ability to find and afford housing.

What to Know About Workforce Pell Talks | Inside Higher Ed
Under a new Education Department proposal, the Pell Grant could cover short-term, career-oriented certificate programs that meet the hiring needs of local employers and are either in-demand, high-skill or high-wage. Details are provided on how talks to expand the so-called Workforce Pell are progressing.

A University Gave Guest Speakers a List of Banned Words. Was It Just Complying with State Law? | Chronicle of Higher Ed
Weber State University has received media attention in recent weeks due to its inclusion of a list of banned words and phrases attached to documents given to potential guest speakers. The school felt that it was complying with a Utah bill that prohibits diversity training and statements in higher education, but has now indicated that it will review its guidance on the law and revise it “to be more nuanced.”

Wisconsin Public Universities Could Start Shedding Programs More Rapidly | Higher Ed Dive
A committee of administrators and faculty from the Universities of Wisconsin has developed a new metric based on enrollment that could substantially increase the number of programs being reviewed for potential elimination. The committee’s work grew out of a review by consultants last year that found declining enrollment and structural deficits on several University of Wisconsin campuses.

Higher Education Faces “Deteriorating” 2026 Outlook, Fitch Says | Higher Ed Dive
Fitch analysts predicted a “deteriorating” outlook for higher education in 2026, an outlook affected by many factors including reduced international enrollment, strained revenue growth prospects, rising expenses, and uncertainty about state and federal support. The number of colleges merging or closing is expected to “continue at an elevated pace” in 2026.

The Final Stretch: Designing a Meaningful Course Ending | Faculty Focus
What students experience in the final weeks can often be the most impactful part of an entire course. Flexible and creative final assessments, for example, can be designed as culminating experiences rather than high-stress hurdles and can give students a sense of emotional and social closure. In addition, ending a course well can give instructors a chance to reflect on and improve the course for the next time.

AI in Higher Education: A Meta Summary of Recent Surveys of Students and Faculty | Campbell Academic Technology Services
A summary of multiple surveys indicates that while an overwhelming majority of students now use AI tools regularly for studying, faculty adoption remains modest. Both groups report feeling underprepared for the rise of AI in higher education.

On the Brink of Reinvention | Inside Higher Ed
This article summarizes a panel discussion with higher-education leaders about how artificial intelligence is accelerating change across campuses and reshaping core questions about teaching, purpose, and institutional mission.

No, the Pre-AI Era Was Not That Great | Inside Higher Ed
This opinion piece argues that nostalgia for a supposed “pre-AI” golden age of higher education obscures longstanding challenges in teaching, learning, and academic integrity that existed well before generative AI emerged. It contends that the technology reveals preexisting flaws and could be used to catalyze productive changes in pedagogy and engagement if approached honestly.

Higher Education’s AI Problem | NPR
This NPR Up First news segment provides an overview of how higher education is changing due to the rapid spread of generative AI like ChatGPT, featuring first-hand accounts from students and professors about how they are adapting.

Universities and the New Age of AI | Forbes
An overview of how universities are actively adapting to the rise of artificial intelligence by developing AI literacy programs, governance policies, and dedicated research and education centers.

Colleges Risk Getting It Backwards on AI and They May Be Hurting Gen Z Job Searchers | Fortune
This article argues that banning AI tools like ChatGPT on college campuses is counterproductive, leaving students unprepared for a job market where AI literacy is increasingly essential. Rather than focusing solely on academic integrity, institutions should integrate AI into curricula to better equip Gen Z graduates for the evolving workforce.

How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping College for Students and Professors | PBS News
This news segment explores how AI is changing higher education, using interviews with professors and students to highlight how teaching, learning, and academic expectations are evolving.

Immersive AI and VR Experiences Bridge the Skills Gap in Higher Education | Ed Tech Magazine
The University of North Carolina Greensboro uses AI and VR to enhance immersive learning environments, providing students with practical training in fields like cybersecurity. This approach improves technical and soft skills, while offering valuable digital security services to under-resourced organizations.

The Case for AI as Accommodation | Inside Higher Ed
AI tools should be integrated into higher education as essential accommodations to support students with disabilities and diverse learning needs; banning AI could perpetuate educational inequities.

It’s a Good Time to Be an English Professor—No, Really. | Inside Higher Ed
Despite challenges, the rise of AI and technological pressures present a unique opportunity for English professors to reaffirm the value of humanistic education, emphasizing deep reading and critical dialogue as essential skills that technology cannot replicate.

From Pilot to Scale: Why Most AI Projects Fail to Move the Needle | Ed Tech Digest
Scaling AI projects in education is challenging; strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and robust infrastructure are necessary for meaningful impact. Without addressing these foundational issues, AI initiatives often stall at the pilot stage and fail to deliver significant transformation.

[Podcast] EdTech Evolution | Higher Ed Dive
This podcast explores how higher education can leverage digital tools to enhance accessibility and student engagement, with a focus on AI’s role in reshaping learning and alignment with accessibility regulations such as the ADA.

Tool to Try: Genially | Genially
Genially is a versatile online tool that allows users to create interactive and visually engaging presentations, infographics, and other multimedia content that can be embedded into an LMS.

Charters Are in an Environment Rich with Opportunities | The Education Exchange
This episode features a discussion with Derrell Bradford on how the expansion of charter schools and school choice options could shape education policy and opportunities.

How Better Teaching Can Make College More Equitable with David Gooblar | Teaching in Higher Ed
A conversation with David Gooblar about how evidence-based teaching practices can close equity gaps and create more inclusive learning environments in higher education.

Changemaker Education – Love-based Microschools | Education On Fire
Host Mark Taylor talks with David K. Richards about the rise of love-based microschools and their potential to transform learning environments.

Optimizing Student Learning | Crazy Simple Education
A continuation discussion focused on simple classroom strategies that can boost student engagement and improve learning outcomes.

From Wicked Problems to Ingenious Solutions: The Leadership Transformation | The Ed Up Experience
Melissa Morriss-Olson discusses leadership transformation and creative approaches to tackling entrenched challenges in higher education.

Education Revolution: Exploring the World of Micro Schools | Bringing Education Home Podcast
A conversation with David Richards on the rise of micro schools and how small, learner-centered environments are reshaping traditional education models.

AI in Higher Education: A Meta Summary of Recent Surveys of Students and Faculty | Campbell Academic Technology Services
Meta-reporting on recent global and national surveys finds student AI use is already mainstream (e.g., 86% report using AI for coursework), while faculty adoption lags (61% have tried AI in teaching and 88% report only minimal use). Additionally, 59% of institutional leaders say recent graduates are not workplace-ready for AI-enabled environments, underscoring urgent gaps in AI literacy, policy, and instructional support.

Demand for AI Skills Has Doubled Over the Last Year | edX
Employer demand for AI-related competencies grew twofold year over year, with job postings requiring AI skills rising from 7% to 13%, driven by the widespread integration of generative AI tools across industries.

Future of Work Summary Report 2025 | McLean & Company
Surveying more than 1,000 global leaders, the report finds that 73% of organizations using AI report faster, higher-quality output, yet only 29% have formal AI-skills training plans—highlighting a widening gap between technology adoption and workforce readiness.

2026 Job Outlook | NACE
Employers report that 13.3% of all jobs and 10.5% of entry-level postings now require AI skills, while still emphasizing experiential learning and human competencies—suggesting AI literacy is essential, but interpersonal and analytical skills remain decisive in hiring.

Investigating the Effects of Students’ Achievement Goal Orientation and Learning Strategies on Academic Achievement | Taylor & Francis Online
A study of approximately 300 undergraduate engineering students found that those focused on mastery and self-improvement and who used deep-learning strategies earned higher grades, while peer-competition orientations showed no academic benefit—indicating that mindset and instructional design matter more than competition.

Fighting Bias, Bots, and Burnout: Global Job Market Trends from the Greenhouse 2025 Workforce & Hiring Report | Greenhouse
Based on a survey of 2,200 job seekers across the U.S., U.K., and Ireland, the report finds intense labor-market pressure, widespread AI tool use in job searching, and troubling trends such as fake work samples, overstated AI skills, persistent bias, and employer ghosting.

Artificial Intelligence and Academic Professions | American Association of University Professors
Drawing on responses from roughly 500 AAUP members, the report finds faculty are often excluded from AI decision-making and calls for shared-governance oversight and protections for intellectual property and privacy. While 81% report being required to use educational technologies, only 15% are required to use AI tools, highlighting uneven institutional expectations.

After Reconciliation: Higher Ed Reform and Where Left–Right Collaboration Matters Most | Inside Higher Ed | 2:00 PM ET, January 21 2026
This session examines the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the most significant federal higher education policy shift in more than a decade. While the bill passed on partisan lines, successful implementation will require bipartisan cooperation. Speakers address adoption timelines, data infrastructure, earnings regulations, repayment plan transfers, Pell Grant protections, and the challenges of execution within a transitioning Department of Education.

Building Excellence: An Iterative Approach to QM Program Certification | Quality Matters | 2:00 PM ET, January 21 2026
This webinar introduces a strategic building-block approach to Quality Matters Program Certification, using an iterative, scaffolded process to move institutions from basic to advanced practices. Participants will explore how aligning operations incrementally with certification requirements can strengthen online degree programs and leave with tools, examples, and an actionable implementation plan.

Online Education Goes Global: Navigating Policy and Legal Issues for Enrolling Internationally-Located Students | UPCEA | 2:00 PM ET, January 21 2026
As international on-campus enrollment declines, institutions are increasingly turning to online programs to serve globally distributed learners. This webinar examines the policy, legal, and regulatory considerations involved in enrolling internationally located students online, offering guidance on compliance strategies, risk mitigation, and sustainable program delivery that supports institutional integrity and student success.

Policy Webinar – Decoding Workforce Pell and the New Program Accountability Framework: Negotiated Rulemaking Insights and Implementation Guidance | UPCEA | 2:00 PM ET, January 28 2026
This session explores the new Workforce Pell Grants for short-term credential programs alongside evolving federal accountability frameworks. Presenters unpack the U.S. Department of Education’s negotiated rulemaking process and discuss what clarity institutions can expect as they prepare for the July 1, 2026 implementation.

AI Is Here. Are Students Still Learning? A Candid Conversation with Higher Ed Leaders | EDUCAUSE | 3:00–4:00 PM ET, January 28 2026
This interactive panel brings together higher education leaders to discuss how AI is reshaping teaching and learning. Panelists explore the promise of more personalized and efficient learning alongside concerns about academic rigor and authenticity, and examine what it means to graduate “AI-first” students who use AI responsibly, creatively, and ethically.

AI for the Everyday Higher Ed Employee | EDUCAUSE | 12:00–1:00 PM ET, January 29 2026
This conversation-style webinar focuses on how AI is affecting the day-to-day work of higher education staff across departments such as student services, admissions, marketing, and operations. Through practical examples, speakers highlight how employees can use AI to save time, improve communication, and boost productivity, while also addressing ethical considerations, adoption strategies, and future skill needs.