The Skills Higher Ed Professionals Need Now

Higher education workforce skills are undergoing a significant transformation. Shifting enrollment patterns, rapid technological change, increased accountability, and growing expectations for student support have reshaped what it means to work in this sector. While subject-matter expertise and formal credentials remain essential, they are no longer enough on their own. Today’s higher education workforce must also bring a set of adaptable, transferable skills that support institutional effectiveness and student success in an increasingly complex environment.

Across teaching, administration, and student services, a new skills framework is emerging. These competencies help professionals navigate uncertainty, collaborate across roles, and respond thoughtfully to data, technology, and change.

Data Literacy: Turning Information into Insight

Data literacy has become a foundational skill in higher education. Institutions collect vast amounts of data related to enrollment, retention, completion, learning outcomes, and operational efficiency. However, the value of data lies not in its volume, but in how effectively it is interpreted and applied.

For higher education professionals, data literacy does not require advanced statistical training. Instead, it involves understanding what data is available, asking meaningful questions, and using information to inform decisions. Academic advisors may analyze student progress indicators to identify intervention points. Administrators may review enrollment trends to guide recruitment strategies. Faculty may examine assessment data to improve course design.

Equally important is the ability to communicate findings clearly. Higher ed professionals must translate data-driven insights into language that resonates with colleagues, leadership, and external stakeholders. As data becomes more central to institutional decision-making, professionals who can confidently interpret and contextualize information are increasingly valuable.

Digital Agility: Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning Tools

Technology has reshaped nearly every aspect of work in higher education. Learning management systems, customer relationship management platforms, virtual meeting tools, and emerging artificial intelligence applications are now embedded in daily operations. In this environment, digital agility matters more than mastery of any single platform.

Digital agility refers to the ability to quickly learn new tools, adapt workflows, and remain open to ongoing change. Systems evolve, software is replaced, and institutional priorities shift. Professionals who are comfortable experimenting, troubleshooting, and seeking out training are better positioned to keep pace.

This skill also supports collaboration across hybrid and remote work environments. Clear communication, shared digital spaces, and virtual project management have become standard. Digital agility allows higher education staff and faculty to remain effective regardless of location or modality, supporting both internal teams and students.

Cross-Functional Communication and Collaboration

Higher education institutions have traditionally operated in silos, with distinct boundaries between academic affairs, student services, enrollment management, and administration. Today’s challenges increasingly require cross-functional solutions.

Effective collaboration depends on strong communication skills. Professionals must be able to explain their work to colleagues with different backgrounds, priorities, and expertise. This includes translating discipline-specific language, aligning goals, and managing shared projects.

Written communication is especially critical. Emails, reports, policy, documents, and training materials shape institutional operations and culture. Clear, accessible writing helps reduce confusion, build trust, and advance initiatives. In an era of limited resources, the ability to collaborate efficiently across roles is essential to institutional resilience.

Equity-Minded and Student-Centered Practice

Equity and student success are no longer peripheral concerns in higher education. They are central to institutional missions and public accountability. As a result, equity-minded practice has become a core professional skill.

This involves understanding how policies, systems, and practices affect students differently based on their backgrounds and experiences. Equity-minded professionals consider access, inclusion, and belonging when designing programs, delivering services, or making decisions.

Student-centered work also requires empathy and cultural competence. Higher education professionals interact with students navigating academic pressure, financial stress, mental health challenges, and complex life responsibilities. The ability to listen, respond thoughtfully, and connect students with appropriate resources is critical across roles, not only in student services.

Change Management and Problem-Solving

Few sectors experience change as consistently as higher education. Policy shifts, funding fluctuations, leadership transitions, and demographic trends all shape institutional priorities. Professionals must be able to function effectively in environments marked by uncertainty.

Change management skills include adaptability, critical thinking, and a solution-oriented mindset. Rather than resisting change, effective professionals assess new circumstances, identify opportunities, and contribute to constructive responses. This may involve redesigning processes, piloting new initiatives, or supporting colleagues through transitions.

Problem-solving also requires resilience. Higher education work can be demanding, particularly during periods of disruption. Professionals who can remain flexible, manage stress, and focus on long-term goals are better equipped to sustain meaningful careers in the field.

Preparing for the Future of Higher Ed Work

The future of higher education will continue to demand more from its workforce. Data literacy, digital agility, collaboration, equity-minded practice, and adaptability are no longer optional skills. They are essential competencies that cut across roles and career paths. 

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About the Author: Shelby Harris is a freelance writer and public sociologist. She holds a master’s degree in Sociology from East Carolina University.