Navigating Turbulent Waters: Leading Your Institution in Times of Disruption and Uncertainty in Higher Education

This last half decade has delivered unprecedented disruption for university leaders. The pandemic, economic uncertainty, greater need among students and families, and sweeping governmental changes have buffeted campuses of every size, type, and mission. As we move through 2025 and look at the landscape beyond, it’s clear that adaptability, resilience, and innovative thinking are crucial for successful university management.

As my colleagues and I partner with university leaders on key areas such as strategic enrollment planning and working with university boards, we help leaders assess and address five key challenges that impact institutional sustainability. Addressing these areas strengthens fiscal health, campus alignment and collaboration, efficiency, and other challenges that are roadblocks to a campus achieving its full potential.

Embracing Enterprise Risk Management

There is one preliminary key strategy that has become especially vital for navigating uncertain times: Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). This approach replaces siloed risk management that dilutes campus resources and responses with a stronger, integrated perspective—allowing senior leaders and boards of trustees to gain a comprehensive view of potential threats and their interconnections. By implementing ERM, universities can develop more effective strategies for identifying, mitigating, and managing risks across all aspects of their operations.

Addressing five key challenges

Once you have embraced ERM, that can help guide your strategies and tactics in addressing these five key university challenges.

1. Financial stability and funding

With potential changes in federal funding and financial aid structures, universities must diversify their revenue streams and explore new partnerships. This may include collaborations with private industry, international organizations, and philanthropic entities to sustain critical academic research and support student access to education.

Additionally and perhaps more urgently, leaders need to dive deep into financial aid budgets, leveraging strategies, funding sources, and how they tie to recruitment and admissions strategies. RNL is working closely with our partners to redesign models if/when funding sources disappear, ensuring that you can meet your enrollment goals and serve your mission amidst tremendous uncertainly regarding government sources of funding.

2. Technological integration

The rapid advancement of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is disrupting traditional teaching and learning methods. University leaders must navigate this transformation by:

• Investing in faculty training for AI integration
• Updating curricula to reflect emerging technologies
• Developing ethical guidelines for AI use in academia

Along those lines, it is critical that institutions have an AI governance framework in place. However, few universities do. In our recent survey of marketing and recruitment practices for undergraduate students, only one out of 10 four-year institutions reported having an AI governance plan. With AI revolutionizing the college journey for students and families, you need to ensure you have a sound AI governance framework.

3. Crisis preparedness

From pandemics to natural disasters disrupting higher education, having a comprehensive crisis management plan is essential. This should include:

• Regular scenario planning and contingency exercises
• Clear communication protocols for all stakeholders
• Ongoing training for staff and administrators

Most institutions have the logistics of crisis management figured out: crisis captains, protocols, policies, and procedures. What they have not accommodated for in the midst of myriad external forces is the long-term impact of these singular events and ongoing circumstances on their communities—students, families, faculty, and staff. The mental health crisis in education is on the rise and now, more than ever, campuses need to lead with compassion and understanding to bring communities together. Ultimately, your institution needs to be able to anticipate potential crisis and be ready to adapt rapidly to ensure that students are cared for and their college experience can continue.

4. Fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability

Taking the optimal approach to technological changes and crisis preparedness requires cultivating a culture of continuous innovation. This involves:

• Creating dedicated teams to explore new areas of innovation
• Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration
• Promoting flexibility in learning paths and program offerings

The higher education marketplace does not stand still, and universities therefore cannot afford to be set in their ways and be slow to adapt.

5. Prioritizing stakeholder trust and communication

Addressing these challenges and achieving goals in a period of disruption requires unity, transparency, and communication among key stakeholders. University leaders should:

• Maintain open lines of communication with all stakeholders
• Build trust through consistent and honest messaging
• Engage in active listening to address concerns and gather feedback

Difficult messages can be difficult to deliver, but more transparency and dialogue with stakeholders will increase collaboration and focus that will produce transformative results.

Great university leadership is needed more than ever

Managing a university during times of great disruption and uncertainty requires a delicate balance of strategic foresight, agile decision-making, and compassionate leadership. By embracing risk management, fostering innovation, and prioritizing clear communication, university leaders can navigate these challenging waters and emerge stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to fulfill their educational missions in an ever-changing world.

As we face the future, it’s clear that the most successful universities will be those that can adapt quickly, leverage new technologies thoughtfully, and maintain an unwavering commitment to their core values and the communities they serve. My colleagues and I stand ready to help you face this future and achieve immediate and long-term success. Please reach out and we can arrange a convenient time to share our insights and what’s working for institution’s like yours.