Declining enrollment is a problem in higher education, and it's only going to get worse. As Nathan Grawe explains in his book "Demographics and the Demand for Higher Education," when the economy slowed in 2008, many families postponed having children—which means that, starting in 2026, there will be several years of below-average numbers of incoming college students coming directly from secondary school. Other statistics, like the fact that only 54 percent of students whose parents only have a high school diploma go on to attend a university, suggest that the pool of prospective 18-22-year-old college students is additionally limited.
How Leaders Shape, Signal, and Build Cultures: A Discussion Guide for Academic Leaders and Their Teams
Among the many desired traits most prized in academic leadership, the ability to shape (or reshape) institutional culture is sometimes overlooked in favor of fiscal acumen, the ability to drive
Lisa Jasinski
May 4, 2026
