Larry D. Lauer

Each year the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education’s Summit for Leaders in Institutional Advancement focuses on the big issues facing education… most especially higher education. This week much of the CASE Summit addressed the coming changes that will likely transform the entire industry.

General sessions featured panels of university presidents, association CEO’s, professors, advancement professionals, as well as a corporation head, a digital media executive, a journalist, and a department of education administrator. Collectively they explored what the future might look like for education.

In a nutshell, they reviewed the consequences of universal government cutbacks, a revolution in digital technology, and rapid globalization… all happening simultaneously. The bottom line: Everything changes, from curricula and teaching methods to how money is raised and where students go to learn.

Education advancement areas include fundraising, alumni relations, marketing, communication, government relations, and sometimes enrollment management and student affairs. Many of the changes that will both threaten institutions and provide exciting opportunities are in these areas. Underlying all of the Summit’s discussions were these questions: What should advancement professionals do to prepare their institutions and constituents for these changes? What opportunities will they have to lead the way? And what should they do to prepare themselves?

As mentioned in a previous post I am writing a book that addresses these issues and questions. It is scheduled for release at next year’s CASE Summit. Between now and then I will be reporting here on my progress.