Observations and Considerations on the State of Higher Education

Higher education institutions globally are facing issues that require policy changes, rethinking the role(s) of the university and college, and may leave the state of (international studies) education imperiled. Faculty, Administration, and some bodies of students are “under siege” in this the dramatic shift in higher education. All colleges and universities are contending with several shared challenges. This roundtable considers the issues facing institutions of higher learning. Concerns facing administrations and faculty alike include, but are not limited to: technological upheaval in teaching and post-graduate employment; declining enrollment; reduction in public and private funding and support; faculty dissatisfaction, layoffs, and burnout; massive hiring freezes; emerging college alternatives, such as trade schools, coding boot camps, or simply entering the job market with no post-high school education; the “demographic cliff” and its impact on declining college enrollments; erosion of brick and mortar campuses; and the diminishing middle class.