About the Episode
About The Episode:
Rishab Malhotra talks with author and Forbes contributor Anna Esaki-Smith about the deeper structural problems facing higher education beyond the oft-cited demographic cliff and shifting federal policy. Esaki-Smith argues that many of higher ed's wounds are self-inflicted: decades of growth fueled by international students and boomer-era demand led institutions to over-invest in campuses and staff, funding it through ever-rising sticker prices offset by opaque discounting practices. She traces how the rise of global rankings shaped student decision-making, especially for international families, and discusses her book, Make College Your Superpower, which argues that skills and program-specific reputation now matter more than institutional brand, even as anxiety about AI paradoxically pushes some students toward "safe" Ivy League choices.
The conversation broadens into global demographics, with Esaki-Smith describing an aging population crisis extending well beyond the U.S. and Japan into China, India, and most of Europe, driven by fertility rates falling below replacement level. She predicts continued consolidation in U.S. higher ed—closures and mergers among smaller and mid-tier institutions—alongside pressure toward more flexible, workforce-aligned, and affordable models, though not necessarily lower sticker prices. Despite the bleak outlook, she closes on an optimistic note, expressing continued faith in the developmental value of the traditional college experience and hope that institutions will adapt quickly rather than clinging to outdated models.
Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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