Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed Podcast By Jeff Selingo Michael Horn cover art

Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

By: Jeff Selingo Michael Horn
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 Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn discuss what’s next for higher education and talk with the newsmakers you want to hear from most. Find the latest news and insights into the current trends in higher ed on the Future U. Podcast.2024 Future U Podcast Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Rerun: Higher Ed 101: College Budgets Explained

    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 mins
  • Rerun - The Lost Boys of Higher Ed

    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?

    Connect with Michael Horn:

    Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

    Website

    LinkedIn

    X (Twitter)

    Threads

    Connect with Jeff Selingo:

    Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

    Website

    X (Twitter)

    Threads

    LinkedIn

    Connect with Future U:

    Twitter

    YouTube

    Threads

    Instagram

    Facebook

    LinkedIn

    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.
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • Season 8 Wrap Up: Looking Back and Ahead

    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 mins
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