The American Council on Education (ACE) recently published a survey that highlights just how anxious higher education leaders are about the road ahead. While presidents voiced concerns about financial viability, research funding cuts, and enrollment, one finding stands out: 41% of college presidents said their biggest worry is the public’s perception of the value of college.
This concern runs deeper than enrollment numbers or budget lines. If families, legislators, and the broader community begin to doubt whether higher education is worth the investment, the ripple effects are enormous. Fewer students enroll. State and federal policymakers cut support. Donors hesitate. The cycle of skepticism feeds on itself.
And presidents know it. One survey respondent noted the difficulty of responding to new federal accountability measures: “Program-level earnings data: We can’t access it independently, so we can’t get ahead of it. And there’s not a lot we can do to control it except eliminate programs that may be vital to community service but don’t lead to strong earnings.”
Why This Matters
Public trust is the currency of higher education. Without it, even the strongest institutions can find themselves vulnerable. The challenge is that value cannot be assumed—it must be demonstrated, again and again, in ways that resonate with external audiences.
That’s where economic impact studies play a critical role. Beyond degrees and diplomas, colleges and universities drive local economies, create jobs, support innovation, and strengthen communities. An institution’s economic footprint is a powerful, evidence-based story that can change perceptions and rebuild trust.
A Timely Solution: Preconference Workshop at NEAIR 2025
To help institutions meet this challenge, I’m co-instructing a Preconference Workshop titled “Telling Your Economic Impact Story with Data” at the 2025 NEAIR Annual Conference in Bethesda, Maryland.
📅 Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025
📍 Location: NEAIR Annual Conference, Bethesda, MD
👥 Instructors: John Ingram (Delaware Valley University) and Cathleen Kisak (Carnegie Mellon University)
In this hands-on session, participants will:
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Learn practical methods for quantifying their institution’s economic footprint.
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Explore strategies to turn data into compelling stories that resonate with policymakers, funders, and the public.
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Work on a draft framework tailored to their own campus that can be refined and put to use immediately.
🔗 Register here: NEAIR 2025 Annual Conference Registration
This workshop is especially timely for institutional researchers, business officers, grant writers, and campus leaders who need to strengthen the case for their institution’s value in an era of heightened public scrutiny.
Final Thought
The ACE survey makes clear what’s at stake: nearly half of college presidents are worried not just about finances, but about whether the public still believes in the value of higher education at all.
“Telling Your Economic Impact Story with Data” is designed to answer that challenge. It shifts the conversation from doubt to evidence, from skepticism to measurable impact. It shows that your institution is more than classrooms and degrees—it’s a driver of jobs, innovation, and community vitality.
If your campus is facing questions about value, join Cathleen Kisak and me on November 9th at the 2025 NEAIR Preconference Workshop: Telling Your Economic Impact Story with Data. Together, we’ll build the evidence you need to strengthen trust, demonstrate value, and shape the narrative about higher education’s role in society.
