In this episode of On Campus, we welcome Dr. Corey Seemiller, a leading researcher on Generation Z and co-author of "Generation Z Goes to College," for a candid conversation about what Gen Z students truly want from higher education. Drawing on years of national research and direct student voices, Dr. Seemiller challenges common assumptions—emphasizing that Gen Z is not simply an extension of previous generations, and that traditional practices in admissions, pedagogy, and campus life must evolve to meet new realities. The discussion explores the critical factors Gen Z weighs when deciding if college is "worth it," including cost, lost wages, alternative career paths, and the need for institutions to demonstrate clear return on investment.

The episode also delves into issues of trust, transparency, and the student experience, highlighting Gen Z’s skepticism toward institutional messaging and their desire for authentic, student-driven content. Dr. Seemiller shares insights on microcredentials, the evolving value of a degree, and the impact of AI on learning and recruitment. She underscores the importance of holistic support services, mental health resources, and flexible learning modalities, urging colleges to rethink outdated structures and actively engage Gen Z in shaping the future of higher education. The conversation closes with a call for institutions to listen, adapt, and create positive change in response to Gen Z’s expectations and needs.

In this episode of On Campus, we explore what high-quality online and blended learning looks like today with Director of Instruction Design, Dr. Rhiannon Pollard, from the University of Central Florida’s Center for Distributed Learning. As colleges and universities continue to expand hybrid and digital offerings, Dr. Pollard shares practical insights on course design, student engagement, faculty support, and the evolving expectations of learners who are balancing school with work, family, and other responsibilities.

We discuss what makes an online or blended course truly effective in 2026, how institutions can move beyond emergency remote teaching toward intentional design, and the role instructional designers play in helping faculty create meaningful, flexible learning experiences. Whether you’re a faculty member, administrator, or higher-ed professional thinking about the future of teaching and learning, this conversation offers actionable ideas and a look at where the digital classroom is headed next.

Links:

• CITI Program’s Navigating Online and Hybrid Teaching course
  https://about.citiprogram.org/course/navigating-online-and-hybrid-teaching/
• UCF’s Center for Distributed Learning
  https://cdl.ucf.edu/

In this Season 4 kickoff episode of On Campus, we set the stage for higher education in 2026 by exploring three defining trends shaping today’s campuses: how colleges and universities are marketing to Gen Z and today’s high school students, what the 21st-century classroom really looks like, and why AI has become the new normal across teaching, learning, and campus operations. From shifting enrollment and digital recruitment strategies to reimagined learning spaces, hybrid instruction, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence, this episode previews the conversations ahead this season and invites listeners to reflect on how higher education is evolving. We also invite listeners to share topic ideas or reach out if they’re interested in joining the conversation as a future guest on the podcast.

Please reach out if you have:

• An idea for a topic you’d like to hear covered this season
• A perspective you think deserves more attention
• Or if you’re interested in being a guest on the podcast

Ed Butch - ebutch@citiprogram.org