Higher Education in the Midst of a Pandemic - Revisited

Abstract

This paper is a follow-up to determine the accuracy of the predictions stated in a previously published article titled “Higher Education in the Midst of a Pandemic: A Dean’s Perspective” (Author, 2020).  Those predictions were more like educated guesses since the paper was written in 2020, the year the pandemic was beginning to spread across the country.  It was certain significant changes would occur, but the nature and scope of these changes were unknown at the time.  As mentioned in the above referenced paper, the difficulty of predicting the future was the fact that there were no predetermined guidelines for how to offer academic programs to students in the midst of a serious, widespread health crisis.  College administrators were called upon to flexibly respond to a changed environment they had not previously experienced.  This paper will review the predictions made in the areas of college sustainability, financial viability, enrollment, program delivery, technology, library and student services, and the college experience.