WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Higher education institutions will likely confront a number of challenges over the next several years due to dramatic shifts in funding and demand. To support colleges and universities in addressing these obstacles and keep pace with the state of innovation, Deloitte has launched The Center for Higher Education Excellence to focus on groundbreaking research aimed specifically for higher education leaders.

“Higher education has entered an important stage of evolution, where changes in funding meet increased demands for greater accountability and improved efficiency, fueled by modern technology adoption,” said Jeff Bradfield, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and national leader for Deloitte’s Higher Education practice. “Deloitte’s goal is to work in collaboration with colleges and universities to create a roadmap for navigating these challenges.”

The center will focus its efforts on research that could help colleges and universities reimagine how they implement innovative solutions for every aspect of the future college campus – from teaching to learning to research. Deloitte plans to engage the higher education community through forums and immersive lab sessions to increase collaboration and knowledge sharing.

“We have reached an exciting and critical stage for higher education, as we look to explore the art and science of the possible,” said Betty Fleurimond, managing director, Deloitte Services LP and board chair, Deloitte Center for Higher Education Excellence. “Students, faculty, staff, parents and employers have new expectations and we want to help lead the charge as we go forward on this transformative journey together.”

The topics the Center is expected to tackle include the student lifecycle, change leadership across the academic enterprise, the evolving role of business school deans, and cyber security on college and university campuses.

As part of the launch, the Center for Higher Education Excellence will host a private event this evening to discuss the possible effects of the Trump administration on higher education. Distinguished speakers include:

• Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper, president, Institute for Higher Education Policy
• Dr. Daniel Greenstein, director of Education, Postsecondary Success, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• Dr. Eduardo Padrón, president of Miami Dade College
• Dr. Scott Bass, provost of American University
• Bob Moran, deputy education policy director from the Senate HELP Committee

For more information on the Deloitte Center for Higher Education Excellence, please visit https://www2.deloitte.com/us/center-for-higher-education.

About Deloitte
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