Dive Brief:
- Leo Lambert, president of Elon University, has fostered a culture of innovation on his campus through a set of key leadership strategies, including a commitment to bold, long-term goals and constant improvement.
- University Business reports a 10-year strategic plan helps the institution think big, but realistically, and ensures that members of the university community trust there will be a sustained commitment to any ambitious programs or projects on which they work.
- Centers or labs on campus with experts focused on innovation are important, as are “low walls” across the university that allow collaboration and relationship development across disciplines, something Elon accomplished, in part, by encouraging faculty from across the university to teach classes in the core curriculum all students must take.
Dive Insight:
U.S. News and World Report highlighted a number of schools for the first time in 2015 for their success in innovation. Arizona State University was no surprise among the list as it has aggressively experimented with online education and related innovation, including the Global Freshman Academy. Southern New Hampshire University also earned recognition among regional universities. It claims to be one of the fastest-growing universities in the country through its work in distance learning.
As the country becomes increasingly preoccupied with student debt and the rising cost of college, higher education institutions will be forced to innovate more than ever, finding cost savings and encouraging faster routes to graduation, among other strategies.