By now, most readers are aware of the significant tensions facing higher education institutions. Challenges include declining enrollments, increases in tuition that make higher education out of reach for many potential students, and closures and mergers of at least 49 colleges over the past five years (Drozdowski, 2024). Is there a viable middle ground between making higher education accessible only to those who can afford it and accommodating those who need more flexibility in terms of access and affordability?
Beyond Programs: Leadership Lessons from Ireland’s Inclusive Universities
During a recent sabbatical studying inclusive postsecondary education in Ireland, I visited four universities—University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Mary Immaculate
Ashley Rodrigues
July 20, 2026
