Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed cover art

Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

By: Jeff Selingo Michael Horn
Listen for free

About this listen

 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: Visiting Bowie State University: HBCUs, Employer Partnerships, and Student Engagement

    Rerun: Visiting Bowie State University: HBCUs, Employer Partnerships, and Student Engagement
    Nov 25 2025

    On the latest stop of Future U.'s campus tour, hosts Michael Horn and Jeff Selingo visit Bowie State University to speak with President Aminta Breaux, as well as faculty and administrators at the Maryland institution about increased enrollment at HBCUs, partnerships with employers, and student engagement. With support from Salesforce.org.
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Navigating a Merger as a College Trustee

    Navigating a Merger as a College Trustee
    Nov 18 2025
    When Marymount Manhattan College’s board of trustees decided last year to merge with Northeastern University, becoming a part of that Boston-based university’s global system, the vote was unanimous. As Jeff and Michael continue their ongoing exploration (some might say obsession) with mergers and acquisitions in higher ed, they talk to one of Marymount Manhattan’s trustees, Abby Fiorella, on this episode to get a board member’s perspective on how mergers can be strategic wins for smaller institutions, as well as key to protecting their core missions. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group.Relevant Links“God and Man at Yale,” by William F. Buckley."The Abundant University: Remaking Higher Education for a Digital World," by Michael Smith,Mission statement of Arizona State UniversityMission statement of Southern New Hampshire University“Why a University Proactively Sought a Merger," our other episode this season about M&A in higher ed.Chapters0:00 - Why Do We Keep Talking About Mergers?3:50 - Introducing Our Guest, Abby Fiorella5:17 - How to Prepare a Board for a Merger9:19 - Deciding on Institutional Priorities12:44 - What Is Marymount Manhattan College Doing to Preserve Its Identity?17:17 - How Can a Board Come to Peace With a Merger?21:40 - How Can Boards Make Mergers Less Taboo?24:29 - Reframing Merging As an Opportunity27:01 - Closing Thoughts From a Trustee28:54 - Sponsor Break29:38 - What It Means for a Board to Be Responsible to a Mission36:21 - How Can Universities Put Mission Statements Into Practice?38:52 - Why College Mergers Require ‘Courage’39:21 - Making Time in Board Meetings for Strategic Planning44:56 - The Role of Communication Between Presidents and Boards in Considering Mergers47:59 - Why Most Boards Should Set Up Systems to Prepare for an Uncertain Future48:37 - Lightning Round With Abby FiorellaConnect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education NewsletterWebsiteLinkedInX (Twitter)Threads Connect with Jeff Selingo:Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for YouSign 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.
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Preparing Students for an AI-Infused Workforce

    Preparing Students for an AI-Infused Workforce
    Nov 11 2025

    In this special episode recorded live at Adobe’s EduMAX conference, Jeff and Michael explore practical ways to harness AI in higher education to prepare students to be more effective creators. They were joined by a panel of industry and academic experts including Jennifer Sparrow, New York University’s chief academic technology officer; Simon Koh, who has led early career recruiting at Raymond James and KPMG, among other organizations; and Allison Salisbury, founder and CEO of Humanist Venture Studio.

    Relevant Links:

    “AI Is Not Just Ending Entry-Level Jobs. It’s the End of the Career Ladder as We Know It,” CNBC“

    The Rise of AI Will Make Liberal Arts Degrees Popular Again. Here’s Why,” in Inc magazine.

    Chapters

    0:00 - Intro

    3:49 - What Is an AI-Ready Graduate?

    7:52 - How AI is Changing Early-Career Jobs

    11:00 - What Skills and Mindsets Do Students Need?

    14:31 - How Colleges Can Increase Experiential Education With Employers

    22:19 - What Colleges Do As Employers Pull Back on Internships

    28:37 - What is the Purpose of College in an AI World?

    34:14 - How the Signaling Power of College Could Change in the AI Era

    37:38 - How Students Are Using AI to Create

    41:25 - Will AI Bring Resurgence of Liberal Arts?

    45:50 - How Creativity is Important Even in the Finance Sector

    49:31 - Why AI is More Creative Than Humans

    51:40 - What Colleges Can Do in the Next 12 Months

    Connect with Michael Horn:

    Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

    Website

    LinkedIn

    X (Twitter)

    Threads

    Connect with Jeff Selingo:

    Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You

    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
    55 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.