It is hard to miss the resounding message echoed from classrooms to board rooms, higher education is at a critical juncture. The rapid pace of change is causing a dramatic shift in the knowledge and skills required to thrive in the workforce. The half-life of learned skills has dropped from 30 years in 1984 to just 5 years today. This demands that educational institutions find new ways to rapidly produce and deliver up-to-date knowledge to learners in the face of shrinking budgets and rising costs.
At the same time, today’s students have diverse academic needs and goals that traditional higher ed models struggle to accommodate. A recent survey found that over 60% of Gen Z students are worried about taking on college debt that doesn’t lead to a good job. In response to these shifts, too many college leaders double down on churning out and marketing new degree programs rather than investing in true innovation. And while this past academic year showed some increases in enrollments, unfortunately for the struggling education sector, these gains are temporary.
Colleges and universities must take bold steps to diversify their program offerings and adapt to the changing landscape. Those that cling to obsolete academic models or simply push to grow traditional degree pathways, risk irrelevance. Over 36 million adults in the US have earned some college credit but stopped out before attaining a credential often due to factors like rising tuition costs, inflexible program structures that don’t accommodate work and family responsibilities, and a lack of clear pathways to in-demand careers. This alone demonstrates the urgent need for more flexible, relevant, and cost-effective approaches from higher ed institutions.
At YU Global, we recognize the urgent need for transformation. As the cutting-edge online division of Yeshiva University, we are pioneering innovative solutions to empower institutions to reach a wider range of learners.
Our team leverages the latest advancements in AI and educational technology to rapidly develop high-quality, faculty-approved digital content. This allows us to efficiently create customized programs that are always fresh and relevant – not outdated before they even reach students.
But the true differentiator is our commitment to flexibility. Rather than forcing learners into rigid degree pathways, we empower institutions to diversify their portfolio with on-demand certificate programs, stackable credentials, and personalized learning experiences.
The future of higher education demands a new mindset – one that prioritizes agility, accessibility, and relevance over tradition. By partnering with YU Global, colleges and universities are supported and empowered to rapidly reimagine what’s possible and reconfigure their offerings.
It’s time to move beyond simply churning out more of the same. Institutions that will thrive are those willing to innovate, adapt, and deliver transformative learning opportunities tailored to the needs of today’s students. Be part of that revolution. Contact us at yuglobal@yu.edu or call us at
646.592.6680. We can help assess and meet your educational needs.
- World Economic Forum, “The Future of Jobs Report 2020”
- Jobs for the Future, “No Dead Ends: Survey of Registered Voters” (2024)Jobs for the Future, “No Dead Ends: Survey of Registered Voters” (2024)
- National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, “Some College, No Degree: A 2019 Snapshot for the Nation and 50 States” (2019
daniellewozniak 