This year’s EACUBO conference was another vibrant event, centered on the theme of building momentum for the future of higher education. Many conversations explored how today’s tools are providing deeper insights into data than ever before—and how institutions can use those insights to identify trends, opportunities and emerging issues sooner as they plan for the future.
This year’s sessions covered a wide range of topics, including risk management, accreditation, tuition discounting, mergers, sustainable budgeting and forecasting—and even lessons for capital projects inspired by the construction of the Buffalo Bills’ new home. While many speakers acknowledged the pressures and challenges facing the sector, there was also a strong sense of optimism.
Higher education has navigated meaningful change before and continues to evolve to meet new demands. As Liz Clark of NACUBO noted in her presentation, the issues and pressures facing the sector are not new. To illustrate this point, she shared the cover of a magazine from the 1970s that questioned the value of higher education. However, the need for bold leaders who can guide institutions through periods of uncertainty and advance meaningful change has never been greater.
Presenters from NACUBO also shared insights from their annual survey of the top five business issues facing finance leaders across the sector, along with perspectives on how institutions can begin addressing them. I have followed these surveys for years, and the results tend to remain fairly consistent because many of these challenges cannot be resolved quickly or easily. Even so, it is important to maintain focus, measure progress and keep moving your institution forward.
The collaborative spirit of higher education remains alive and well, and my time in Buffalo brought that spirit to life. The many presenters who generously shared their perspectives and ideas demonstrated the momentum that institutions can create when they learn from one another. That sense of collaboration is part of what makes the higher education sector so special, and, as always, I was grateful to be part of it.
