In short, the answer is yes. But probably not in the form it takes today. The University will change its mission to emphasize “knowledge in place,” and its importance for creative place-making and economic development. It will become the principal site for the interface between human and artificial intelligence. It will shift its mission to concentrate on “making the future.” Given that the half-life of knowledge in the knowledge economy is ever-shrinking, there will no longer be “alumni;” rather, a student will be continually engaged with an institution to serve their unremitting need for knowledge acquisition. Because knowledge is playing a greater geostrategic role, the university will be a critical stakeholder in the global security system. The University is dealing with many significant challenges at the moment, from questions about its value proposition, to whether it adequately prepares the workforce, to its perceived ideological orientation. This presentation will be a visionary account of what the University can become.

Recently, college admissions has been at the forefront of conversation and controversy. The proliferation of test-optional policies, a Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions, FAFSA crisis, legacy admission bans, anti-DEI legislation and a decline in the public’s sentiment about the value of higher education make meeting enrollment goals more challenging than ever. In addition, a demographic cliff, anti-immigration policies and changing trends in global student mobility have compounded these challenges. This session will provide an overview of the issues and their nuances and make suggestions for how development, communications, and marketing professionals can support the work of increasing access and ensuring the health of institutions.

Historically, advancement efforts have focused on raising money and creating a culture of philanthropy among “the family” - engaged alumni and long-time supporters. Over the last decade, there has been a rise in “relationship-building campaigns”. These marketing-led efforts leverage paid and earned media and raise awareness and reputation among less engaged and less familiar audiences. The desired outcomes are higher rankings, more prestige, and larger enrollments. Many universities and colleges have invested significant resources in building their reputation beyond higher education and have garnered attention from media outlets and industry segments. What impact has this had on the university's philanthropic and alumni engagement arm? And how have university marketing and advancement coordinated their efforts to fundraise, friendraise, and build their reputations? The panel will discuss how this trend in integrated communications can enhance the efforts of any college or university.

Most institutional leaders would agree that we are in a transformative period in higher education. Institutions must advance their value propositions while simultaneously engaging a changing workforce. Intentional new ways of doing business in a hybrid environment are essential to help us succeed. Partnerships both inside and outside of our institutions are important components of our collective success. The University of Central Florida (UCF) has developed an enterprise-wide corporate partnership program that addresses these issues. During this session, we will explore the problem, process, solution, and outcomes of the Pegasus Partnership program. Join us to learn more about how to implement a similar program on your campus.

In an era where technology profoundly influences every aspect of higher education and institutional advancement, generative AI stands out as a groundbreaking force. This session aims to demystify and explore the potential of generative AI in revolutionizing advancement strategies. We will delve into practical applications, discussing how AI can enhance engagement, personalize outreach, and innovate in philanthropy. Our panel of leaders from diverse institutional backgrounds will provide real-world examples, showcasing AI's role in data-driven decision-making, alumni engagement, and fundraising. Attendees will gain insights into integrating AI into their advancement efforts, understanding both opportunities, implications, and ethical considerations.

Join us for a Fireside chat with Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize winning historian, journalist and commentator on geopolitics, in conversation with CASE Chair-elect Fritz Schroeder. Applebaum is also an acclaimed author and her newest book, Autocracy Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World, will be published on July 23, 2024.

Advancement is a strategic function that creates and moves forward connections between the institution and its constituencies. In order to do that well, advancement leaders must understand how institutional leaders think about their own work – and how they focus on the future in the midst of challenge and change. In this plenary session, CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham will engage with educational leaders around those very themes: leadership, growing personally in that space, and leading while every eye is focused squarely on the institutional leader.  

The focus of this year’s CASE Insights Research Symposium in Partnership with Huron | GG+A Global Philanthropy will present two sessions focused on the latest trends and practices on donor pipelines. Part One will highlight academic research from the IUPUI Lilly Family School Of Philanthropy on giving patterns and building trust among diverse constituents. In Part Two, a panel of advancement leaders will then discuss why a diverse pipeline of donors is essential to your advancement future. The session will highlight the practical challenges of how we collect and utilize data and new approaches to engaging donors. This work is important not just to your annual fund or your campaign but the advancement profession as a whole.

This interactive panel discussion emphasizes the importance of fostering robust partnerships between central development/advancement and marketing/communications divisions in the evolving higher education landscape. With shifting audience demographics and expectations, the discussion focuses on how university leaders can respond effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities. Panelists underscore the necessity of close collaboration between these teams to elevate and strengthen their institutions' brands. A disconnect between advancement and marketing divisions often leads to delayed responses, inconsistent messaging, and lost opportunities. The conversation reveals significant progress in the partnerships at Emory University and Georgia Tech, highlighting innovative ways to strengthen these ties. Panelists share insights on successful strategies and areas for improvement, discussing real-world examples to illustrate their efforts to integrate these departments more effectively. They emphasize the need for close collaboration, shared goals, and a unified approach to marketing and communications, ensuring their universities are well-prepared for future challenges. This session will serve as a platform for sharing best practices and learning from past experiences, paving the way for more robust, integrated collaboration between development/advancement and marketing/communications teams at major educational institutions. This collaboration is presented as a fundamental necessity in an era of rapid change and opportunity in higher education.

Did you know that students who used their campus career centers are three times more likely to agree their education was worth the cost and nearly three times more likely to donate to their alma maters? The data is clear. There is a movement in higher education advancement that points to a successful strategy to leverage career services. In this session, you will hear how two universities changed the traditional advancement landscape by moving the reporting line of career services to the division of advancement. Participants will learn about the impact of career services partnerships and collaborations to enhance advancement opportunities; expanding the reach and creating a pathway for philanthropic giving associated with career initiatives. If you are intrigued and want to learn more, join us for this robust session of discovery and conversation!