In Part 3 of Funnel Vision, host Rishab Malhotra welcomes Anna Esaki Smith, author and co-founder of Education Rethink, to examine the critical state of higher education. Moving past the usual focus on demographic cliffs, they discuss the systemic health of colleges, framing the industry's condition as a need for urgent care rather than a simple checkup.

Anna and Rishab explore the root causes of current challenges, including self-inflicted issues like rising tuition costs, administrative bloat, and the complex data game of merit aid discounting. Anna introduces her book, Make College Your Superpower: It's Not Where You Go, It's What You Know, advocating for a shift in student focus from brand prestige to skill acquisition. This transition is essential as the global economy shifts toward knowledge-based employment and AI integration.

The conversation expands to the global demographic crisis, comparing the U.S. to Japan’s struggles with an aging population, and analyzes how institutions must adapt to survive. They forecast a future defined by consolidation, mergers, and a stronger alignment with workforce needs. Despite the bearish climate, both remain optimistic, arguing that these challenges provide a unique opportunity for institutions to become more resilient, innovative, and deeply responsive to the evolving needs of students.

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