Why Higher Ed Needs a Bold Dose of Innovation and Leadership

 Why Higher Ed Needs a Bold Dose of Innovation and Leadership

Let’s be honest. Higher education is in the middle of a major identity crisis. Between declining enrollments, growing student debt, shifting expectations, and shrinking funding, the traditional college model just does not work like it used to. And with students demanding more flexible, relevant, and career-aligned experiences, colleges and universities are being forced to do something they are not always great at—change.

That’s where innovation and entrepreneurship come in.

Now, I am not just talking about adding another app or offering a few online classes. I’m talking about rethinking the way higher education operates—how it generates revenue, engages students, collaborates with partners, and empowers faculty. Leaders in higher education need to start thinking more like entrepreneurs. They need to be willing to take risks, break down bureaucratic roadblocks, and create space for new ideas to grow.

Leadership is everything in this shift. As I learned in my coursework (and have seen firsthand in my own institution), change will stall if leaders are not actively encouraging it. Leaders need to model flexibility and curiosity. They need to support pilot programs, cheer on experimentation, and protect teams from the fear of failure. Innovation flourishes in environments where people feel trusted and supported—not micromanaged or judged.

And here's something else we do not talk about enough—higher ed needs to invest in its own people. Too often, leadership training is treated as an afterthought or reserved for a select few. But if we want sustainable innovation, we need to build leadership capacity across the board. That means professional development, mentorship, and real opportunities to lead, not just manage.

What does this look like in action? It could be creating campus innovation hubs, launching interdisciplinary “think tanks,” or partnering with local industries to tackle real-world problems. It could mean building programs that let students turn their ideas into ventures—or better yet, giving faculty the time and space to do the same. Innovation does not have to be massive or flashy to matter. It just needs to be intentional.

At the end of the day, higher education cannot afford to cling to what used to work. We need courageous, creative, and people-first leadership that is willing to reimagine the future. Innovation and entrepreneurship are not just buzzwords. They are the path forward.