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Higher education isn't facing just one disruption. It’s dealing with demographic shifts, affordability pressures, rapid advances in technology and a volatile policy landscape—among other pressures—all at the same time. So the question for institutional leaders is no longer whether change is coming: It’s how to redesign their institutions to succeed in this emerging operating environment. 

Join Inside Higher Ed for a discussion inspired by our new special report, “Higher Ed's Big Restructuring: Adapting to the Era of the Modern Learner.” The live discussion will explore how colleges and universities are moving beyond incremental change to rethink academic programs, learner pathways, technology, workforce partnerships and the student experience.

A panel of higher education leaders and experts will discuss questions including:

  • How should institutions respond to growing demand for flexible, career-connected learning? 
  • What does artificial intelligence require leaders to rethink beyond classroom policy? 
  • How can colleges better serve learners across multiple generations and stages of life? 
  • What organizational, technological and cultural changes will position institutions for long-term success?

Can't attend the webcast? You should still register -- all registrants will receive a recording of the webcast and a copy of the presentation slides.

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 2 p.m. E.T.

Higher Ed's Big Restructuring: Adapting to the Era of the Modern Learner

SPEAKERS

MODERATOR

Colleen Flaherty
Senior Editor of Special Content at Inside Higher Ed

Colleen Flaherty, senior editor of special content, previously served as Student Voice editor for Inside Higher Ed. Prior to joining the publication in 2012, Colleen was military editor at the Killeen Daily Herald, outside Fort Hood, Texas. Before that, she covered government and land use issues for the Greenwich Time and Hersam Acorn Newspapers in her home state of Connecticut. After graduating from McGill University in Montreal with a degree in English literature, Colleen taught English and English as a second language in public schools in the Bronx, New York. She earned her M.S.Ed. from City University of New York Lehman College as part of the New York City Teaching Fellows program.

SPECIAL REPORT

To get the most out of the webcast, download and explore the special report.

Ben Upton
Freelance Journalist and Report Author

Ben Upton is a freelance journalist based in Washington. He served as Times Higher Education’s Europe reporter between November 2021 and October 2023 and previously covered European research policy for Research Professional News. Before graduating from City, University of London’s journalism school in 2017, he worked in academic publishing and taught at a private university in Wuhan, China.