Why higher education must fundamentally change

Agile change management in higher education is no longer optional. Institutions are navigating continuous disruption from AI, shifting student expectations, workforce pressures, and internal cultural resistance. The challenge leaders face is not how to implement change once, but how to build the institutional ability to adapt continuously.

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Christine Janssen Founder and CEO of Edstutia, an immersive learning company focused on adult learning, about why higher education must move from traditional change models to an agile, iterative approach to leadership, teaching, and institutional strategy.

Drawing on her experience in both higher education and entrepreneurial environments, Janssen explains why institutions struggle when they treat change as a project rather than an operating condition. McNaughton and Janssen outline how agile thinking, faculty adaptation, and a willingness to experiment have become essential leadership capabilities for presidents, boards, and faculty alike.

Some of the Topics Covered:

· Why traditional change management models no longer match today's environment

· How agile, iterative approaches help institutions adapt faster than governance cycles

· Why AI is exposing weaknesses in traditional teaching and assessment methods

· The role of faculty culture as both a barrier and a solution to meaningful change

· Why preparing students for uncertainty requires faculty to be comfortable with it

· How institutions risk becoming the "yellow cab" in a world expecting "Uber-level" responsiveness

Real-World Examples Discussed:

· How AI forces faculty to redesign assignments and assessment methods

· Why student evaluations often measure the wrong outcomes

· How other industries were disrupted by ignoring customer expectations

· Examples of leaders who prioritize faculty development and innovation

Three Key Takeaways for Higher Education Leadership

1. Institutions must change how they think about change before they can change behaviors.

2. Faculty partnership and professional development are essential to institutional adaptability.

3. The greatest risk to higher education is waiting to see what others will do.

This episode offers higher education leaders a practical framework for understanding why many institutional struggles stem not from isolated issues, but from an outdated approach to change itself.

Read the transcript: https://changinghighered.com/agile-change-management-for-higher-education-leaders/

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