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Ext. PublicationHigher Education’s Perfect Storm: Political Dynamics and Enrollment Declines | Podcast
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The Business of Government
Higher education institutions are entering a transformative phase and face unprecedented risks that demand strategic adaptation. In this episode of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, The Business of Government, Adam Jones and Dan Graves dive into the multifaceted challenges colleges and universities must navigate in today’s dynamic environment. From the growing politicization of campus issues to financial uncertainty and demographic cliffs, they share insights on how schools can strengthen resilience through agile governance, updated risk frameworks and long-term strategy.
Key Points:
- Identify the evolving political and financial risks facing higher education
- Understand how legislative changes like Senate Bill 37 may reshape operations
- Develop strategies to reimagine risk frameworks, navigate demographic shifts and create sustainable revenue models
Dan opens the conversation by describing the rapidly shifting risk environment for higher education. Ongoing challenges like enrollment and funding now intersect with emerging pressures, including the demographic cliff — a projected drop in college-aged students. Combined with rising student debt and limited job prospects, these trends are reshaping how institutions must approach risk. As Adam observes, “It seems like the perfect storm.”
The conversation also explores the impact of Texas Senate Bill 37, which introduces transparency requirements, curriculum oversight and performance reviews. While the legislation reduces faculty governance, Dan sees opportunity in the mandated five-year program reviews. These reviews can prompt institutions to reassess degrees and certificates, better align offerings with market needs and respond to shifting student interests — a mindset community colleges have historically embraced.
Adam and Dan close by discussing how institutions are exploring new revenue models. Dan urges decision makers to consider long-term viability, not just short-term gains. “It’s not about creating revenue streams,” he explains. “It’s about serving students and seeing how those revenue streams serve the students in their education goals.”
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