Written by: Robyn Shulman
The soul of a university can be wounded, sometimes deeply, yet the people who build and sustain its physical and intellectual structures have the capacity to rebuild and move forward. It is with sadness that I reflect on the quiet deterioration taking place in many institutions of higher education. Declining enrollments, contested administrative decisions, and the fast pace of technological change have left some colleges and universities struggling to adapt. Despite these pressures, institutions must remain anchored to the core principles that define good higher education: a commitment to students, to culture, to continuous adaptation, to institutional roots, and to the people who make learning possible.
Five essential reminders for higher education
These five reminders are practical and philosophical touchstones that can help universities preserve mission, strengthen community, and respond constructively to change.
1. Responsibility to students
Universities exist to educate and prepare students for meaningful, productive lives. That responsibility extends beyond vocational training to fostering critical thinking, problem solving, ethical reasoning, communication, and reflective practice. Inspired by critical pedagogy, teaching should cultivate students’ ability to analyze, question, and engage with complex social and professional challenges. Academic programs should intentionally develop transferable skills while providing guidance for career readiness, internships, and mentorship. Prioritizing student learning and wellbeing—academically and holistically—must remain central in curriculum design, assessment, and institutional planning.
2. Protect and nurture campus culture
Culture is the web of relationships, shared values, and collaborative practice that sustains a campus. Faculty collaborations—coauthoring books, designing courses, and mentoring students—produce much of the intellectual life that keeps students engaged. When that culture is disrupted by abrupt layoffs, opaque decisions, or disregard for collegial ties, the entire community feels the impact. Protecting a healthy campus culture requires honoring faculty and staff contributions, investing in collaborative structures, and maintaining trust through transparent communication. A resilient culture supports retention, academic quality, and the sense of belonging students and employees need to thrive.
3. Embrace change thoughtfully
Change is constant, and technology has accelerated the pace of transformation in teaching, administration, and student services. Institutions that resist adaptation risk falling behind; those that embrace change without clear purpose risk undermining educational quality. Faculty and staff need ongoing professional development, access to instructional design expertise, and time to experiment with new tools and pedagogies. Technology should be treated as a tool that amplifies effective teaching, not as a substitute for human connection. Thoughtful integration of hybrid models, active learning strategies, and robust student supports will help institutions remain relevant while preserving educational values.
4. Remember institutional roots
Many colleges and universities were founded with explicit missions—social justice, access to education, community service, or discipline-specific excellence. Those founding values provide clarity and purpose, especially during turbulent times. Institutions should honor their histories and commitments by aligning strategic decisions with long-standing missions and by engaging alumni, community partners, and faculty in preserving meaningful traditions. Remaining grounded in purpose helps guide priorities for student access, curriculum development, and public engagement.
5. Put people first
Universities function when people across roles collaborate with respect, transparency, and compassion. Effective governance recognizes shared governance principles, listens to those who work directly with students, and makes decisions informed by frontline experience. Administrators should cultivate open channels for feedback, support mental health and professional wellbeing, and ensure fair processes when change is necessary. Treating staff, faculty, and students with dignity strengthens morale and fosters the cooperation required for sustained institutional health.
When changes happen quickly or without clear communication, communities can lose valued colleagues and mentors. The departure of dedicated professors and staff leaves not only operational gaps but also emotional and intellectual voids. For everyone affected by such losses—those who taught, those who learned, and those who cared—the impact endures. Recognize and honor the contributions of educators and staff who have shaped student lives and enriched campus culture.
This reflection is an appeal to recommit to the student-centered mission of higher education, to protect collaborative culture, to approach change with intention and skill, to preserve institutional purpose, and to place people at the heart of every decision. By doing so, universities can heal, adapt, and continue to provide transformative learning experiences.
This article is dedicated to my close friend and mentor, Dr. Bernadette Herman, Professor Emeritus, National Louis University.