Much of my summer is being spent writing my fourth book about advancing academic institutions. This time my motivation has been the major changes speeding our way in education, and how far-reaching they are likely to become.
On the one hand, governments are changing their roles and funding levels in significant ways. And at the very same time education, and most especially higher education, is also becoming a global industry. All this happening simultaneously is certain to become a major, possibly even revolutionary, game-changer.
When I also take into account that the digital technology revolution is already changing how teaching and learning are being delivered, I realize that everyone inside and outside the academy will be affected. Both how we deliver education and how we communicate institutions will be dramatically different tomorrow.
University presidents, deans, faculty members, students, everyone in advancement professions, as well as alumni, key donors, and anyone else supporting the academy, should therefore already be preparing for a completely different marketplace. Student enrollment patterns will become more global. Faculty will have new and intriguing international opportunities. And foreign institutions will suddenly be offering your corporate partners and foundations visibility and business opportunities in very interesting places.
My book will be my contribution to preparing for these changes. What lies ahead looks very scary, I must say. But on second thought, this new day could also be very exciting! The book is scheduled for release mid-way through 2015.
Larry D. Lauer 
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