ICCE Board

President’s Corner

The Changing Face of America – Heightening Awareness of Tectonic Shifts in Perspectives

The United States of America is undergoing, and will continue to undergo, a demographic transformation the likes of which have never been experienced in this great Nation. The demographic changes which surfaced in the literature and became more pronounced over a decade ago, are now at the precipice of tectonic change, and their impact on society at large and higher education is already being felt. The year 2035 will see the culmination of three major forces: (1) the last of the Baby Boomers turning 65+ years of age (2030), (2) the cross-over where the number of people 65+ years of age outnumber the youths under the age of 18 (2035), and, (3) the recognition that the primary driver for population growth in the U.S. will be from international migration (2030); this as the native born population decrease.

These three changes, together, are shaping higher education’s practices and policies as well as the culture in which we live. The most obvious implications, manifest from: (1) the new face of the student body and the implications suggested therein, (2) the new efficiency and cost consciousness in higher education, and (3) the cultural implications in recognition and acceptance of these new demographic changes.

This dialogue continues when addressing the social, political and educational perspectives of our youngest generational cohorts in our collective educational programs, namely Gen Y (Millennials) and Gen Z.

This dialogue continues when addressing the social, political and educational perspectives of our youngest generational cohorts in our collective educational programs, namely Gen Y (Millennials) and Gen Z.

We are standing at the precipice of great demographic change in our Nation. Our ability to move forward rests in the hands of the many who work feverishly to help ensure our understanding that growth comes from innovation, innovation comes from ideas, and ideas come from people; all people.

This message goes to the heart of ICCE. ICCE is laser focused on heightening awareness to the many educational opportunities across our great State. ICCE brings some of the most influential thought leaders together for the purposes of heightening awareness on student populations, programs, training and educational offerings.

ICCE is truly here to help us grow, as individuals, organizations and as a society.

Dr. Mitchell L. Springer
ICCE President and Executive Director
Purdue University, Polytechnic Institute