Why ‘Higher Ed’ Will Thrive as It Gets Disrupted

Jeff Selingo and I have had an ongoing dialogue over the decade-plus I’ve known him about the future of higher education.

He argues that higher education—colleges and universities—will continue to play a critical role in society. Despite the threats from disruptive innovations alongside broader demographic, business model, and societal changes, colleges have navigated big changes and transitions before and will do so again, he says.

Meanwhile, I’m the disruptive innovation guy—not so blind that every problem looks like a nail requiring a hammer, but certainly prone to look for and get excited by the possibility. With many colleges not working nearly well enough for—and in some cases doing harm to—large numbers of individuals and society, my questions about the viability of some traditional colleges and universities and corresponding excitement about upstart learning providers makes it sound like I think Jeff is wrong.

Yet, I actually think Jeff is probably right. Although I think higher education is primed for disruption, he’s also likely correct that accredited colleges and universities may still play an important role in the nation’s future.

Here’s how to explain the paradox.