Higher Ed: A Look Toward the Future

As we all know far too well, 2020 has been an unprecedented year. Over the last 12 months, we have faced a deadly pandemic, social unrest, catastrophes caused by climate change, and seemingly insurmountable political divide. While we inch our way slowly towards the beginning of a new chapter and a new year, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on lessons learned and ideas for the future.

In a moment of intense crisis like a global pandemic, we realize just how connected we all are and what we can achieve through collective efforts. Many have faced tragedy, pain, and anxiety during these times and we’ve all faced challenges, but we’ve also seen countless acts of kindness and small gestures that aim to help those around us. From faculty making sanitizer when supplies were low, to communities delivering food to families in need, and friends and family checking in on loved ones from afar to combat isolation – these small gestures add up to make a big difference. The level of empathy, humility, and sense of community demonstrated by UConn faculty, students, and staff during this time has been truly inspirational. If we continue to come together as we have over the last nine months, there is nothing we can’t achieve.

The question then becomes not what can we achieve, but how. Will we decide to return to the pre-pandemic norms or will we seize this opportunity to innovate? In March, our entire educational system changed overnight. The entire world adapted as nearly 1.3 billion learners relied on new modalities, schools and universities upended their traditional models and adopted “blended” learning strategies, while still offering the same quality educational experience of other classes. While the need to alter our standard practices came without warning and in some cases was harried, we can learn from this experience in order to take advantage of new opportunities and new possibilities. We can leverage our improved understanding of technology to include more people, more voices, and more experiences as a way to provide more inclusive and equitable education. 

In order to seize this moment, I believe we can start with one of UConn's greatest strengths, a foundation that underlies our entire institution: world-class educators. As did teachers across the country, UConn faculty shifted their courses on a dime and prepared for many teaching scenarios this fall. But we must remember that, just like learning to code in Python or compose a piece of music, teaching is a craft that requires lifelong learning and practice. If the future of education is to have a greater degree of virtual elements, we must redesign our academic programs and learning experiences, and also better prepare faculty to deliver them. Institutions that embrace creative teaching strategies will help prepare students for an increasingly tech-driven workplace and enable them to be more invested in their academic careers.

The need to reevaluate our academic offerings isn’t just beneficial for our students. It’s also critical for our contribution to the economy as well. Industry is moving with great speed in areas where research institutions can make a difference: data science, vaccine discoveries, renewable energy, and more. These shifting market demands mean that industry desperately needs higher education to step up and pivot in alignment. We have even seen that industry will design its own curriculum, foregoing the traditional higher education structure if it can’t train the workforce needed to fill technically specific positions. As an engine for state economies, institutions of higher education need to show industry that we hear this call and that we will act. Strengthening these bonds, especially in this time of crisis and opportunity, will provide a valuable return on investment for our students, our state, and our economy.

It has been a year like no other, and as we look toward the future, I know UConn will be able to position itself to meet the demands not only of our students, faculty, and community, but of the businesses our institution supports either through research or workforce development. We are embarking on strategic planning activities with our eyes wide open and our minds full of ideas to meet whatever challenges 2021 may have in store.

The reason I can say this with so much confidence is thanks to the phenomenal community at the University of Connecticut. To all my colleagues, friends, students whose smiles I can only see through a computer screen, please know that I am sending you a virtual embrace, and wish that you remain hopeful, positive, and resilient as we move towards the new year – a year in which I hope to see all of my UConn family often and in person. Until then, thank you to all the heroes of health and education who have shown us the true meaning of the word "essential."

Stay strong Husky Nation. Happy holidays and best wishes for 2021.