The GSV Big 10: Barbarians at the Gates

Private Equity in College Sports, China vs. India, and Demographics Reimagined...

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Chart of the Week

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The Big 10:

1. Private Equity Looks to Buy Into College Sports | CNBC

   The Barbarians are at the Gates…and we predicted it over a year ago. The concept of the student athlete has been radically changed by the new world of NIL, the transfer portal, and big money coming from big media. The Big Man Off Campus is a new reality as they are taking classes online to stay eligible and are busy speaking with their financial advisors.

2. China’s Gen Z is giving bosses headaches and rattling the corporate cage, surveys find | SCMP

   We know that men are from Mars and women are from Venus but we are now learning that GenZ is from Pluto. Social and emotional issues are front burner for GenZ often frustrating their older bosses who prioritize “deals” over “feels.” Moreover, Gen Zers want to make sure that the tasks assigned to them are aligned with their values and are contributing to a greater purpose.

3. ‘Degree worship’: China middle school sparks debate with elitist hiring policy | SCMP

   There is a growing “Eat the Elites” sentiment in the United States where an Ivy League degree might not have the same cache it once had. Not so in China. Not for education. In the Middle Kingdom’s middle schools, elite school brands are everything for who gets hired as a teacher.

4. American College of Education Welcomes Prominent Investor and Entrepreneur to Board of Trustees | Morningstar

   Very nice headline I wrote…but seriously, I’m very honored to be on the Board of Trustees for the American College of Education. Low-cost, high-quality education is the future of Higher Ed, and ACE has a compelling offering in the key areas of teaching and nursing.

5. Is US Edtech Set for a Rebound in 2025? | Edtech Insiders

   The circle of life in edtech looks promising in 2025 as the hangover from 2021’s celebration has finally cleared. The $2.9 billion that was invested in 2024 was a modest improvement from 2023. The memories of the steep declines of former leaders such as Chegg, 2U and BYJU’s have faded some, and the hope and optimism that accompanies transformative technologies energizes new investments.

6. A looming 'demographic cliff': Fewer college students and ultimately fewer graduates | NPR

   There is no better way to predict the future than studying demographics. It’s like a big, slow curveball hanging over the plate waiting to hit out of the park. Studying birth rates with a traditional lens, it would be easy to predict the demise of colleges as the number of eighteen-year-olds is dramatically falling. My view is the re-imagination of these institutions involves changing from four-year schools to forty-year schools with an emphasis on turning learning into earning…this will create huge opportunities to thrive.

7. 4 Benefits a Digital Credential Program Offers Right Now | EdSurge

   Knowledge as a currency has been one of my favorite themes for many moons…it’s about “knowledge, not college” and “what you know versus where you go.” Being able to exchange experience for job opportunities is a big part of this. Learning and earning.

8. State of the State Addresses Kick Off This Week | Whiteboard Advisors

   As usual, Whiteboard Advisors does an excellent job of keeping us up on what’s going on in the World of education policy. Interesting summaries of what some governors were saying about education in their “state of the state” addresses. Universal preschool, charter schools, and workforce development were common priorities.

9. College tuition has fallen significantly at many schools | AP

   After nearly a half-century of college tuition rising at 3x inflation, it’s taking a pause at a growing number of schools. The question by many young people has gone from “college for all” to “college at all?” Covid was a catalyst that helped put the brakes on the spiraling cost of education.

10. 🎙️ Ep 32 · Jeanne Allen: Founder & CEO, Center for Education Reform | Ed on the Edge | Dash Media

    There are few people on earth who have been as involved with school choice from the very beginning as Jeanne Allen. Her Washington D.C.-based Center for Education Reform has been a fierce advocate for giving all kids the opportunity to participate in the future, the foundation of which is access to excellent schools.

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This Week’s People Moves

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Who else is changing jobs? Get the latest data for the companies that matter most to you for free.

• Fred Fisher: Coursera ➡️ OpenAI, Strategy & Operations

• Chad A. Stevens, Ph.D.: TinkRworks, Inc. ➡️ ClassDojo, Head of K-12 Engagement

• Esther Friend: Five9 ➡️ Udemy, Vice President of Revenue Operations

• Matt Johnston: EY ➡️ Handshake, Enterprise Customer Success Manager

• Sarah Lynn: Booz Allen Hamilton ➡️ Pearson, Senior Manager - Early Career