The hidden cost of college isn’t money–it’s time and opportunity
Building easily navigable pathways helps colleges deliver on the promise of college as a clear roadmap to meaningful careers and economic mobility
Late last year, members of Congress met to scrutinize college costs and to press institutions to be more transparent about what students pay and what they get in return. But while the hearing focused on dollars and cents, the price of college takes many forms.
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Reflections on Magnifica Humanitas for college and university instructors
If you have been following recent discussion of Pope Leo XIV’s first papal encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, you have likely already seen its importance for educators navigating the cultural, digital, ethical, and social changes driven by generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Higher ed’s warning light is flashing: What the 2026 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report reveals
Higher education leaders often overlook major reports because the sector is already overwhelmed by reports, dashboards, compliance notices, strategic plans, and technology forecasts.
The AI literacy paradox: Why students feel unprepared for the AI-driven workforce
Colleges and universities nurture student development by offering thousands of learning opportunities, and for most, the experience makes it possible to pursue meaningful careers.
AI is reshaping entry-level work and the talent pipeline
While entry-level hiring is not disappearing entirely, AI is beginning to influence the work traditionally assigned to early career professionals and is increasing expectations for what entry-level workers can produce from day one, according to a new report.
Aligning AI with pedagogy, privacy, and outcomes
In a peer-reviewed study at Los Angeles Pacific University, students using a pedagogically-aligned AI assistant saw a 20 percent increase in GPA, a 13 percent increase in final scores, and a 36 percent increase in intrinsic motivation to learn.
Designing for finals: How campus shapes the way students work
Finals week is often treated as a question of whether there is enough study space on campus. Are there enough quiet seats, extended library hours, and places to concentrate?
To support the American workforce, prepare students for a future reshaped by climate change
At this moment, the American workforce faces immense challenges: AI, demographic changes, and lagging academic achievement, to name only a few. To tackle these challenges, states need a future-focused strategy that expands opportunities.
This is the last “old” college admissions cycle
When 5W started working with higher ed clients, the college search playbook ran on a predictable rhythm. Viewbooks, campus tours, search name purchases, Common App funnel management, a tight paid-media plan, and a frantic spring yield push.
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The Visual Edge: How High-Impact Technology Redefines Campus Differentiation and Enrollment Strategy
In the current higher education landscape, waning enrollment is still a present challenge. While overall enrollment numbers are showing signs of a rebound, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data indicates that undergraduate enrollment has yet to fully return to pre-pandemic levels.