In this special bonus episode of Future U, Michael Horn moderates a panel discussion on the future of work and learning in the age of AI. Recorded at a Western Governors University event in Boston, the conversation features insights from industry leaders across technology, consulting, and higher education.

Panelists Paul Bingham (WGU), Will Bass (formerly of Comcast), Kara Kara Wieckowski (Accenture), and Wayne Duso (former VP at AWS) explore the transformative impact of AI on workforce development, talent acquisition, and educational models. They discuss whether we should view AI as revolutionary like the smartphone or complementary like the microwave, share strategies for upskilling at both individual and organizational levels, and examine innovative approaches to virtual internships and experiential learning.

Whether you're an educator, administrator, business leader, or student contemplating your career path, this episode provides valuable insights on navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of work, technology, and education.

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction

2:34 - AI Perspectives: Optimism vs. Concerns

6:28 - The Microwave vs. Smartphone Analogy

9:09 - AI as an Accelerant of Change

12:29 - Job Anxiety and Workforce Evolution

21:22 - Rethinking Talent Acquisition and Development

23:25 - Creating a Holistic Talent Approach

24:41 - Accenture's AI Talent Strategy

27:29 - The Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Approach

33:58 - Learning at the Speed of Human Capacity

37:23 - Skill Forward: Balancing Organization and Individual Growth

40:45 - Learning Models for Different Types of Adopters

43:39 - On-the-Job Training and Strategic Learning

47:55 - The Challenge of Finding Time to Learn

53:04 - Virtual Experiences and the Future of Internships
 

Further Reading

"AI Skills Fundamentals Certificate" - Western Governors University

WGU's certificate program designed to help professionals develop foundational AI knowledge and skills applicable across various industries, supporting both personal growth and organizational innovation.

"AI Won't Replace Humans—But Humans With AI Will Replace Humans Without AI" - Harvard Business Review

An insightful article by Harvard professor Karim Lakhani explaining how AI will lower the cost of cognition and why business leaders must experiment with AI applications for all employees, not just tech workers.

"The Upskilling Imperative: Required at Scale for the Future of Work" - McKinsey

Research highlighting how companies can take a larger role in upskilling employees by eliminating barriers of time and cost, with specific strategies for developing critical workforce capabilities.

"ChatGPT is Going to Change Education, Not Destroy It" - MIT Technology Review

An examination of how AI tools like ChatGPT are being reevaluated by educators as potential classroom aids rather than threats, with practical examples of implementation across educational settings.

"The Future of Skills: Employment in 2030" - Pearson

A comprehensive research report that identifies which occupations and skills are likely to be in demand by 2030, considering seven megatrends including technological change, globalization, and demographic shifts.

Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Threads  

Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

Website

X (Twitter)

Threads

LinkedIn

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.

While college-going rates have increased over recent decades, completion rates have hardly budged. On this episode, Michael and Jeff sit down with one entrepreneur working to change that. Mike Larsson is the co-founder and CEO of Duet, an organization collaborating with an online university to provide on-the-ground coaching and physical space for students. They discuss the role wraparound supports play in supporting more students towards graduation, the keys to reengaging students who have stopped out, the nationwide spread of hybrid models like Duet’s, and more.

College Reimagined by Jon Gabrieli et al.

0:00 - Intro

02:12 - The Founding Story of Duet

08:53 - Reaching Students with “Some College No Degree”

11:23 - A Personal Trainer for College

13:17 - Duet’s Outcomes

17:07 - “The Hard Policy Answer”

21:00 - The Growth of Hybrid College

24:39 - Affordability, Flexibility, and Disruption

29:46 - Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships to Better Serve Adult Learners

33:26 - Improving the Outcomes of Community Colleges

Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Threads  

Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

Website

X (Twitter)

Threads

LinkedIn

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.

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.

0:00 - Intro

03:45 - How colleges put together their budgets

9:05 - Implementation challenges and best practices

15:04 - Non-tuition revenue sources

26:21 - Cost drivers

29:41 - Solving the “Financial Bucket Problem”

35:41 - Deferred maintenance

38:11 - Shifting to an ROI mindset

41:04 - The levers to pull

43:14 - On the margins

46:44 - College cash sources

49:03 - Our most promising strategies

RPK Group Official Website

Access 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 University

This 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 Ed

Consult 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 | APLU

This 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 - Ellucian

This 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.

Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Threads  

Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

Website

X (Twitter)

Threads

LinkedIn

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.

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. 

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

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?

Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Threads  

Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

Website

X (Twitter)

Threads

LinkedIn

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.

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.

0:00 - Intro

1:39 - Jeff’s Next Book

5:17 - Trump’s Effect on the Year of Reckoning

15:20 - The Shifting Power Balance

20:13 - Demonstrating Value

25:27 - Colleges’ Core Competencies

38:11 - Who’s Looking Forward?

42:19 - Saying Goodbye for Summer

2025 Higher Education Trends Report | Deloitte Insights
Comprehensive 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 Them
Detailed 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 Education
Official 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 Ed
Expert 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 | EDUCAUSE
Survey results showing how higher education professionals view AI's future role in learning analytics, accessibility, and institutional operations.

Combating the Enrollment Cliff | NAFSA
Analysis 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 Press
Ackman'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 Dive
Expert 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 Ideas
Background 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 Ed
Insights 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 Learning
Data-driven analysis showing that 89% of students use ChatGPT for homework and other statistics relevant to the AI adoption discussion.

Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Threads  

Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

Website

X (Twitter)

Threads

LinkedIn

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.

In this episode, former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift joins Jeff and Michael to explore how to rebuild the broken college-to-career pipeline. Now leading Education at Work, a nonprofit that provides work-based learning opportunities for undergraduates, Swift shares how her organization supports first-generation and Pell-eligible students with paid, career-relevant jobs during college. The conversation also dives into the policy vacuum left by congressional inaction, the role of states in driving innovation, and where bipartisan opportunities still exist in connecting higher education to the workforce. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group and the Gates Foundation.

Handshake 2025 Annual Report

0:00 - Intro

02:57 - Fixing the College to Career Pipeline

14:48 - Building Soft Skills

17:47 - The Higher Ed Policy Vacuum

24:28 - Federal Policy Enablers for Work-Based Learning

28:06 - State Governments to the Rescue?

30:46 - The Opportunity for Bipartisanship

Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Threads  

Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

Website

X (Twitter)

Threads

LinkedIn

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.

With higher education policy increasingly driven by executive action, Michael and Jeff explore why Congress has been largely absent from the conversation—and what that means for students and institutions. They’re joined by James Kvaal, former Under Secretary of Education under the Biden Administration, and Preston Cooper of the American Enterprise Institute, for a bipartisan discussion about stalled reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, cuts to the Department of Education, the future of international students at American colleges, and more. This episode is made with support from the Gates Foundation.

0:00 - Intro
04:44 - The Cost of Congressional Inaction
13:28 - Unlocking Movement on Higher Ed
19:53 - Areas for Bipartisan Compromise
23:15 - The Big Change We Need
28:33 - The Impact of Cuts to the Department of Education
32:58 - Immigration and International Students
38:23 - Agreement Across the Aisle
43:55 - Changes Since the Last HEA Reauthorization
48:12 - Too Much Focus on the Elites?

Sign Up for The Future of Education Newsletter

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Threads  

Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

Website

X (Twitter)

Threads

LinkedIn

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.

In a special episode recorded at the Milken Global Institute, Jeff moderates a wide-ranging panel with higher education leaders including the presidents of Dartmouth, Stanford, UC San Diego, Yeshiva University, and the CEO of ETS. The conversation explores the crises and critiques facing higher ed—from campus protests and declining public trust to research funding and economic ROI. The leaders discuss how institutions can reaffirm their missions, serve a broader public, and restore faith in the value of a degree in an era of polarization and political scrutiny.

Sign Up for The Future of Education Newsletter

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Threads  

Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

Website

X (Twitter)

Threads

LinkedIn

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.

In this second part from the Milken Global Institute, Jeff Selingo engages in a provocative conversation with investor and Harvard critic Bill Ackman. They discuss the challenges facing elite higher education today—from DEI rollbacks and government funding threats to what Ackman describes as Harvard's financial crisis and governance failures. Ackman argues that administrative bloat, viewpoint homogeneity, and an unsustainable business model have undermined top institutions, while suggesting Harvard's $53 billion endowment may be significantly overvalued. The discussion explores contentious issues in admissions fairness, including legacy preferences, and concludes with Ackman's vision for higher education's future, where competition from new models might force established universities to reform or risk irrelevance. 

0:00 - Intro

1:04 - Federal Funding as a Lever of Influence

8:07 - Board Insulation at Harvard

13:08 - Limiting Class Size

14:25 - Fairness in Admissions

18:27 - Where We Go From Here

Sign Up for The Future of Education Newsletter

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Threads

Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

Website

X (Twitter)

Threads

LinkedIn

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.

In this special episode, recorded live at the ASU+GSV Summit, hosts Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn dive into the rapidly evolving higher ed landscape in President Trump’s second term. They discuss massive cuts at the U.S. Department of Education, mounting challenges around international student enrollment, and looming threats to federal research funding. They examine the broader, longer-term implications of these shifts for colleges and draw from their recent research to discuss how leaders can nurture positive campus culture during these challenging times. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group and the Gates Foundation.

Mark Schneider: Blowing Up Ed Research is Easy. Rebuilding it is ‘What Matters’

0:00 - Intro

7:32 - Cuts to the Department of Education

20:40 - Targeting International Students

23:48 - Withholding of Federal Research Grants

39:25 - Our Favorite Higher Ed Commentary

46:31 - Changing Campus Culture

Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Threads

Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

Website

X (Twitter)

Threads

LinkedIn

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.