By Janice Hawkins, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Innovation, access and success took center stage at Old Dominion University’s inaugural Academic Affairs Summit, where author Michael D. Smith, Ph.D. challenged attendees to rethink the future of higher education. His visit built on conversations already taking place across campus, where faculty and staff have been discussing his book, “The Abundant University,” through the University’s Monday Meet Ups program.
Faculty, staff and administrators gathered for the daylong summit to discuss the future of teaching, learning and student success. Drawing upon examples from higher education and industry, Dr. Smith emphasized the need for colleges and universities to adapt to changing student needs and evolving technology.
Dr. Smith, a Carnegie Mellon University professor, pointed to the rise of Netflix and the fall of Blockbuster as an example of how organizations that fail to adapt can quickly become obsolete.
For universities, Dr. Smith said, the lesson is clear.
“Holding onto legacy systems simply because they’ve worked in the past is one of the greatest risks institutions face today,” Dr. Smith said. “Students’ needs are changing, technology is evolving, and higher education must respond with urgency and creativity.”
A central theme of Dr. Smith’s keynote was expanding access to higher education. He encouraged institutions to rethink traditional delivery models, reduce barriers to entry and create more flexible pathways through online learning and alternative credentials.
The message aligned closely with Old Dominion University’s forward-focused approach and specialized work across key areas, such as access and student success.
“Dr. Smith’s message reinforces what we believe at Old Dominion University; higher education must be bold, inclusive and responsive,” said Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “Access and innovation go hand in hand. We are preparing not just for the future; we are shaping it.”
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Brian K. Payne, Ph.D., said the inaugural summit offered a special opportunity to reflect on how the University can continue evolving to meet student needs. “Dr. Smith’s insights challenged us to think differently about how we design learning and support student success,” Provost Payne said. “We are focused on removing barriers and strengthening the academic experience for our students.”
The University has long been recognized for its leadership in distance learning and its commitment to serving nontraditional and underserved students. Dr. Smith’s concept of the “abundant university” resonated with attendees diligently and eagerly working to redesign courses, expand digital offerings and improve student outcomes.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to connect in person with colleagues across the University, especially hearing from the author of ‘The Abundant University’,” said summit attendee Vuka Jovanovic, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Engineering Technology in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology. “His perspective on innovation and adaptability was incredibly inspiring and reinforced the importance of continuing our digital transformation efforts so we can be better prepared for the enrollment cliff and future challenges in higher education.”
Dr. Smith closed his keynote by encouraging institutions to adopt a welcoming mindset regarding change. “The universities that thrive in the coming decades will be those that see change as an opportunity, not a threat,” Dr. Smith said. “Abundance is about expanding possibilities.”
“The Academic Affairs Summit provided a valuable opportunity for our academic community to come together and explore how we can position ourselves for a forward-focused future,” said Carrie John, vice provost and University registrar, who attended the summit. “Hearing directly from Dr. Smith about the insights and research presented in his book, “The Abundant University,” was particularly enlightening. He challenged us to think critically about how higher education must evolve to continue meeting the changing needs of society.”
Vice Provost and University Registrar John added, added, “What resonated most with me was seeing Dr. Smith’s keynote followed by presentations from our own faculty showcasing their innovative practices and ideas, Together, these sessions highlighted the exceptional talent across Old Dominion University and demonstrated the many ways our faculty are actively advancing teaching, learning, and innovation. I left the summit feeling inspired, proud of our academic community, and optimistic about the meaningful progress we are making toward our forward-focused strategic future."
For many attendees, the summit was less about predicting the future of higher education and more about helping shape it — a call to action that was evident throughout the day.
From general education reform to scaling work-based learning and faculty innovation across modalities, in addition to the expertiseand wisdom shared by Dr. Smith, the summit included insights and updates on key initiatives underway to support students and faculty. And, as those conversations move forward, Old Dominion University is boldly and purposefully embracing the work of building a more accessible and adaptable future for higher education.