Madan Annavarjula

The latest Office for Students (OfS) report highlights financial challenges and opportunities for higher education providers in England. While the sector remains broadly stable, significant risks include overreliance on international student fees, inflationary pressures, and rising costs of facilities and staff recruitment. Projections show ambitious growth in student numbers, especially from overseas, which may not fully materialize, posing financial vulnerabilities. Providers must adapt by diversifying income and improving cost efficiency to ensure sustainability. This report underscores the importance of proactive financial management to maintain quality and equity in education delivery. https://lnkd.in/eTfDj9q9

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I am excited to see #university presidents and chancellors considering how to furhter harnes the university #research and #innovation engine for the #PublicGood! Advancing the frontiers of knowledge itself in any form is a public good, but the research portfolio is strengthened when part of the portfolio is more focused on public good, use-inspired research, and innovation to solve critical social challenges. https://lnkd.in/evC9GNrZ

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Tradition to Transformation: The Urgency of Change in Higher Education Higher education is at a crossroads. With the downsizing and closure of many smaller, private institutions on the horizon, the ability to adapt swiftly is becoming a critical factor for survival. The stakes are high, and the odds are often stacked against institutions due to deep-rooted cultural and structural resistance to change. In my latest article, "Tradition to Transformation: The Need and Urgency in Navigating Change in Higher Education Institutions," I delve into practical strategies for overcoming these challenges. A few of those include: - Understanding Resistance: Learn why change often meets resistance in higher education and how to navigate the cultural and emotional barriers that can stall progress. - Recognizing the Unique Needs of Each Division: Understand that change is not one-size-fits-all. I explore how different parts of a university—such as academics, enrollment, student life, and operations—face unique challenges and opportunities. By understanding these nuances (change within as well as change across), institutions can implement change strategies that are tailored and effective across all areas. - Empowering Change Agents: Identify how empowering faculty, staff, and mid-level administrators can drive both bottom-up and top-down change initiatives. - Leveraging Data and Adaptive Leadership: Learn how data-driven decision-making and adaptive leadership can position institutions to pivot quickly and effectively. This article was largely inspired by insights from The EdUp Experience recent 6-part podcast miniseries "The Currency of Change" with Jamie Brownlee Turgeon, Ph.D. and Andy Benis and a recent BHive conversation with Greg Satell hosted by the folks at Beyond Academics Matt Alex, Nicole Baldassarre and Gabrielle Kristofich, both of which underscore the critical importance of embracing transformation in today's rapidly evolving educational landscape. Additionally, I include the brilliant insight of Brian Rosenberg from his recent and viral book "Whatever It Is, I'm Against It: Resistance to Change in Higher Education". I am very hopeful for the future of higher education, but how it will shape up will depend on the ability of institutions to recognize the urgency of change and act decisively, efficiently, and collaboratively. Those that do will emerge stronger and more resilient in the face of these disruptions. I invite you to read, reflect, and share your thoughts: What are the biggest challenges we face when implementing change? What strategies do you think are most vital for fostering meaningful change in higher education today? How do we get there? #HigherEducation #InstitutionalChange #Leadership #Transformation #Adaptation #Innovation #HigherEdLeadership #EducationReform #ChangeManagement #Collaboration

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Project 2025: its analysis on radically reshaping Higher Education

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In newly released interview, I highlight problems with current GRADE guidance for certainty of evidence and evidence to recommendation: too complex, poor organization. I also highlight a soon-to-arrive solution: Core GRADE that presents essentials for using GRADE. https://lnkd.in/eW9qWCPg

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Today, three national associations representing institutional research, business and finance, and information technology in higher education, released the Change With Analytics Playbook, a comprehensive resource designed to support institutions in creating a culture and capacity for strategic data use. This playbook outlines key principles and strategies to build a data informed decision culture in higher education. Very timely and important.

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The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and American Council on Education have partnered to propose two methodologies for achieving a universal measurement of socioeconomic mobility across all American Higher Education Institutions. The importance of accurate data reporting cannot be overstated, as socioeconomic mobility, workforce development, performance-based funding, and student debt discussions revolve around one central concern: student performance and meaningful outcomes. This week, I share summarized insights of the report, and encourage more discussion about the two data systems IPEDS and NSLDS. #HigherEd #Policy

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This research report predicts an increase by 12% in market size of higher education between 2024 to 2030 due to increasing populations in US, Canada, UK and India. The report also highlights the disruptive changes in operation models of this sector, following the emergence of augmented, mixed and virtual reality (AR, MR, VR), artificial intelligence (AI). Institutions in higher education section will become more student-centered, providing customized educational experiences, adaptable program planning, and extensive support services.

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Imagine a college website where faculty are foregrounded ahead of programs. Or, where faculty-student relationships are placed at the center of an institution's enrollment management strategies. These are the questions posed by David Staley in his latest ⁠IngenioUs Blog--University Design⁠ article where he discusses the trend in higher education of prioritizing programs over faculty-student relationships. Highlighting the case of Wittenberg University, which plans to rely more on online course sharing and outside partners for student instruction, Staley questions the effectiveness of this approach and argues for the importance of faculty-student relationships in learning, belonging, and persistence. He explores the investment in sports infrastructure at Wittenberg and the potential transformation of liberal arts colleges into sports clubs. and concludes by emphasizing the need to elevate human relationships and social capital in enrollment management strategies. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eXs6vAcr Or listen here: https://lnkd.in/e_VykVK6 #Relationshipsmatter

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How far into the future does your institution plan? There is general consensus that these days, a strategic plan, whether developed for an institution of higher education or another organization, should cover 3-5 years. Following the volatility and uncertainty of recent COVID years, some institutions began leaning towards a 3-year plan, thinking it provided an opportunity to pivot if circumstances unexpectedly changed. Other institutions have stayed the course with planning for the next 5 years. What do you see as the pros and cons of a shorter versus a longer plan?

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What a timely playbook

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What do sustainable education practices look like, particularly in the increasingly mechanized realm of higher education? My most recent book chapter explores the relationships between time, place, and learning set against the backdrop of competitive market forces.

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How can schools turbocharge their systems of student support? In my latest article, I dive into how principles from the fast-paced world of auto racing drive student success at the University of San Diego - Knauss School of Business! By focusing on teamwork, precision, and proactive interventions, we can keep students on track and crossing the finish line. 🚀🏁 Ready to learn how these high-speed strategies can transform student outcomes? Check it out below! #StudentSuccess #HigherEdLeadership #InnovativeLearning #deanonthemove #HigherEdLeadership #StudentSuccess #Teamwork #AACSB #studentsuccess #businesseducation #Knauss

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Join Carl Fey and Dr. Neha Mittal and I to explore the dynamics of case writing!!

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🚀 Transformational Leadership in Higher Ed: Cultivating Commitment and Lifelong Connections 🌟 In today’s dynamic higher education landscape, transformational leadership is emerging as a powerful tool to forge deeper connections between students and their institutions. By inspiring and empowering students, leaders can create a vibrant academic community where commitment extends beyond graduation. Transformational leaders in higher ed go beyond traditional management; they ignite passion, foster innovation, and build strong relationships. This approach not only enhances the student experience but also lays the foundation for lasting alumni engagement. When students feel genuinely valued and inspired during their academic journey, they are more likely to maintain strong ties to their alma maters, contributing to a network of engaged and supportive alumni. Investing in transformational leadership today means nurturing committed students who become dedicated alumni, creating a cycle of support and engagement that benefits both individuals and institutions for years to come. #HigherEd #TransformationalLeadership #StudentEngagement #AlumniRelations #EducationExcellence #Applicant2Alumni

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I have a new working paper out on the prevalence and implications of heightened cash monitoring policies in higher education. Feedback encouraged on this draft!

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Forging the Future: Five Considerations for Developing Leaders at Your Institution  - Academic Impressions

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Completed this great 3-week virtual course through the Harvard Graduate School of Education: Aligning Strategic Priorities with Financial Resources in Higher Education. We learned some innovative strategies that support decision making in challenging times and gained a great deal of knowledge through the tools, readings, and reflections in the course. #HGSE #highereducation

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One of the most rewarding and impactful activities that faculty can undertake is to provide career guidance, when students ask for it. This cannot replace the professional services that dedicated career centers offer to students, but it can support and enrich those efforts. Students facing difficult career choices benefit from getting direct input from their professors as trusted sources who have relevant experiences and expertise. It can also broaden students' horizons as they explore careers that might be better aligned with their traits, skills, and goals in life. Sadly, though, faculty are not always keen to provide career advice. They respond to their own academic career progression incentives that rarely, if ever, reward time-consuming and hard to quantify interactions with students, such as ‘career chats’ outside the classroom. These interactions also have a very long horizon to manifest any recognizable impact, making it less rewarding in the short run. I was lucky enough to have transformative conversations with a few of my professors in the engineering and business schools that I attended. These ‘career chats’ invariably altered the course of my career and life in positive ways. I am thankful to those dedicated and inspiring professors who took the time to have a cup of coffee with me and who broadened my perspective on career options with invaluable advice. I try to pay it forward by taking the time to chat with my students when they seek that kind of career and life advice from me. I think more students should seek this kind of important and potentially impactful advice from the professors whom they might have personally connected with. And more professors should take the time to offer guidance to their students on one of the most important decisions in their lives.

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