Yes, And…: Improvisation and Innovation in Teaching Centric Institutions

This roundtable will explore how universities have been forced to improvise and innovate in response to a range of contemporary challenges. Higher education institutions are increasingly grappling with enrollment shocks, reductions in research grants, declining public and private funding, and growing pressures to adapt to rapidly changing social, political, and economic environments. These challenges have prompted institutions to rethink traditional models of governance, pedagogy, and financial sustainability. Panelists—representing a diverse set of institutions and roles within academia—will share firsthand experiences, the difficulties they have encountered, and the innovative strategies they have employed to navigate uncertainty. From reimagining student recruitment and retention to developing alternative funding streams and fostering more resilient academic communities, this session will foster an open dialogue. Together, we will reflect on lessons learned and discuss what is needed to build a more adaptive and equitable future for higher education institutions in an era defined by disruption and transformation.