Slate’s Gabriel Kahn has a fascinating piece on the rise of little Southern New Hampshire University as a leading innovator in higher education.
Like many small, less prestigious private schools, SNHU was facing declining enrollment and declining funds. But under the leadership of President Paul LeBlanc, the university reimagined itself. By embracing innovations like online education and competency-based degrees, SNHU has managed to hold costs down for students and still keep the school afloat.
It’s not all sunshine and roses at SNHU. As it is across the country, grade inflation is still a problem, and some have questions the university’s shift in priorities. But at a time when small schools are sinking under the weight of a collapsing status quo, many could learn from the example of this small New England university.