Navigating Upheaval on Four Fronts: Positioning Community Colleges for What’s Next
October 14, 2026
12:00 PM PT / 3:00 PM ET
Higher education is entering one of the most turbulent periods in modern history. Institutions are simultaneously facing revenue shock, rising expenses across every operational category, and heightened expectations from policymakers, students, families, and the public. At the same time, AI is reshaping the workforce and the skills students need to succeed after graduation. The result is a sector under unprecedented strain. Long-standing practices can no longer absorb the pressure, and leaders must navigate a rapidly shifting landscape on multiple fronts.
In this session, EAB will debut its 2026 State of the Sector analysis, framed around the four areas where upheaval is reshaping institutional strategy:
- External accountability, where political scrutiny and performance expectations are accelerating;
- Financial sustainability, where synchronized cost and revenue pressures are rewriting the rules of viability;
- Market relevance, where AI-driven labor market shifts, evolving employer expectations, and growing skepticism about the ROI of higher ed demand new approaches to programs, enrollment, and preparing students to succeed in the modern workforce;
- Institutional agility, where the speed and complexity of change require new operating models and leadership approaches.
Drawing on national research, campus case studies, and analysis of emerging trends, this session will help community college presidents and senior executives understand the forces reshaping the sector and identify strategic priorities for navigating volatility with confidence. Participants will leave with a clearer picture of where the market is heading, how AI is changing the relationship between education and work, and why the current moment is fundamentally different from past disruptions. You’ll also learn what institutions can do now to position themselves and their students for resilience and long-term success.
Speakers: Dr. Tara Zirkel, Director, Strategic Research, EAB; Dr. Rufus Glasper, President and CEO, League for Innovation in the Community College
