Reducing Friction in Higher Ed

The big picture:

Higher education was built for a different era. Today’s students expect the same simplicity they find everywhere else—but too often, they get roadblocks instead.

Why it matters:

When institutions cling to outdated processes, students lose time, money, and momentum. Small barriers—like registration holds or delayed financial aid—can decide whether someone stays in school or drops out.

What works:

At the University of Texas at Arlington, leaders reviewed every student hold and eliminated most. The result: faster registration and fewer administrative detours. The message is simple—make it easy for students to keep learning.

The takeaway:

Rigor should measure learning, not how much friction a student can endure. If we enroll them, we owe them a clear path to completion.

Bottom line:

Student success depends on removing barriers, rethinking rules, and matching the pace of today’s learners. It’s time to make higher education as seamless as the world students already live in.