Why it matters:

Public comments play a real role in shaping federal regulations, but the volume and complexity of those comments make them difficult for institutions to engage with effectively. Thousands of submissions can overwhelm even experienced policy teams.

The big picture:

AI is changing what is possible. By analyzing large sets of public comments at once, institutions can identify patterns, stakeholder priorities, and direct links between comments and changes in proposed regulations. What once took weeks of manual review can now be done in hours.

What stands out:

Kelly Karki of Purdue Global describes how AI turns public comments from an overwhelming obligation into a strategic tool. Instead of reading submissions one by one, AI can surface a small number of core concerns and show how those concerns align with regulatory changes.

Bottom line:

AI does not replace judgment or expertise, but it levels the playing field. It allows more institutions to engage meaningfully in the regulatory process and to see clearly how public input can shape policy.

Why it matters:

Higher education often treats difficulty as evidence of rigor. Over time, that has led institutions to defend complexity and friction, even when those obstacles do little to improve learning or student outcomes.

The big picture:

Making college easier to navigate does not mean making it academically weaker. It means removing administrative and structural barriers so students can spend more time learning and less time trying to decipher the system. When programs are designed around outcomes rather than seat time, students progress more efficiently while still meeting high expectations.

What they’re saying:

Students do not arrive as blank slates. They bring prior learning from work, life, and earlier education. Institutions serve students best when they help learners demonstrate what they already know, identify genuine gaps, and move forward with purpose, instead of forcing repetition that adds cost and time without adding value.

What to watch:

Technology, particularly AI, is accelerating this shift. Used thoughtfully, it can support personalized feedback, adaptive learning, and academic support at a scale higher education has historically struggled to achieve. The opportunity is not automation for its own sake, but better learning supported by clearer signals of progress and mastery.

Bottom line:

Rigor is defined by results, not by how hard a system is to navigate. The future of higher education depends on clearing pathways for students while holding firm to meaningful academic standards.

Community colleges are being redesigned for the new majority of learners — working adults, parents, and career shifters. Presidents Kate Smith (Rio Salado College) and Janet Spriggs (Forsyth Tech) explain how.

Why it matters:

The traditional “full-time, first-time” student is no longer the norm. Colleges must adapt at the speed of innovation.

The shift:

• Short, stackable learning “buckets” let students earn skills in weeks, get a raise, and return later to keep climbing.
• Employers help co-design programs from day one — not after the fact.
• Durable skills (communication, teamwork, critical thinking + AI fluency) are now core currency.
• Local customization + nationally scalable models can coexist.

The goal:

Pathways that lead to family-sustaining wages and give learners lifelong on-ramps and off-ramps as jobs evolve.

The mindset change:

Move beyond tradition. Build workforce and learning ecosystems together with the industry. Collaborate, don’t compete. Share what works so more students can move out of poverty and into opportunity.

Bottom line:

Community colleges are positioned to lead the future — if they stay flexible, employer-aligned, and relentlessly learner-first.