Bruce Dahlgren is the CEO of Anthology. He’s a seasoned technology executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience.
Empowering students to thrive on their own terms will be a central theme as we venture forward within higher education. This new era is about meeting students where they are and recognizing the diverse ways they engage, learn and succeed.
I serve on the board of trustees at an independent liberal arts university and was inspired to write this article after seeing firsthand how students are not just adapting to change but actively driving it. Their desire for personalized experiences, flexibility and practical skills led me to reflect on how we, as educators and leaders, can better support them.
Here are four key themes I believe leaders in higher education should consider in meeting the needs of students in 2025.
1. Connect with students on their terms.
The traditional notion of the “typical student” no longer applies. Today’s students are diverse in every sense—backgrounds, goals, schedules and needs. To truly meet students where they are, institutions must embrace a multi-faceted strategy for communications and support. I believe this means adopting technology that can help provide seamless, personalized experiences and using data-driven insights to understand how and when students prefer to receive and act on information.
Some students may favor texts for quick updates, while others prefer the self-service model available through school portals. Institutions must know how their students prefer to engage and respect those preferences to ensure students stay informed and on track.
2. Anticipate their needs with AI.
Utilizing advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) will enable the development of proactive and customized communication strategies. The implementation of AI in high-impact areas can offer institutions the ability to both anticipate and respond to student needs more effectively.
Take, for instance, the integration of AI-powered solutions within a university’s call center. These tools can streamline the resolution of common student challenges, such as navigating financial aid queries, by providing instant, accurate answers and guiding students step by step through the process.
In addition, AI can proactively identify other critical activities, such as missing documentation or upcoming deadlines, and prompt students to take action before issues arise. By eliminating these barriers and simplifying what are often perceived to be overwhelming and burdensome tasks, institutions empower students to stay focused and confident in achieving their educational goals, ultimately fostering greater student success and satisfaction.
3. Empower students to learn their way.
As digital learning continues to dominate education and workplaces, content accessibility is vital to meeting the needs and expectations of learners. Students want to learn, and they want to learn “their way.”
Providing different formats of digital content—such as audio files, braille and large print —empowers students to engage with materials in the way that works best for their learning needs. For educators, this means they should design their courses and content with accessibility in mind from the start.
Thinking more inclusively about content design allows educators to provide students with more flexible options and ways to engage with their learning materials. Having more than one way to interact with content could mean that a student commuting to and from home and work can use the time to study by using an audio alternative format on their mobile device. International students can benefit from a captioned and/or translated version of the content in their native language.
Institutions that provide personalized, adaptable resources empower students to learn effectively and comfortably, creating a more engaging and successful educational experience.
4. Prepare them to succeed with AI and other developing technologies.
As AI continues to transform industries, educators will need to equip students with the technical expertise to leverage AI tools effectively. However, while AI’s potential is vast, there is one thing it cannot replicate: The uniquely human ability to connect, adapt and lead. Soft skills and transferable skills—like communication, critical thinking and relationship building—are not only enduring but are becoming increasingly vital in the AI-driven world.
For example, in industries like healthcare, AI is used to analyze data and assist with diagnostics, but human empathy and communication are still essential for patient care and decision-making. Success often comes when individuals combine technical expertise in AI with strong, soft skills like collaboration, emotional intelligence and adaptability. This sense of collaboration is also seen in fields like customer service and marketing.
While AI tools can help analyze trends and automate tasks, it’s people who transform insights into meaningful action. For today’s students, mastering AI technology is essential but so is developing the soft skills needed to inspire teams, adapt to evolving challenges and build connections that drive progress.
As we look toward the future of higher education in 2025, meeting the needs of today’s students is paramount. By harnessing the opportunities outlined, we can best support learners and create life-changing opportunities. We believe next year will be a testament to the power of personalization, student empowerment and creating accessible and inclusive learning experiences for all. We cannot wait.
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