From Upheaval to Action

A revealing look at how colleges are confronting disruption, and what their responses mean for the future of higher education.

In From Upheaval to Action, Arthur Levine and Scott Van Pelt offer a vital update on the shifting landscape of American higher education. Building on the insights of their bestselling book The Great Upheaval, this on-the-ground account of how institutions are responding to today's profound changes encapsulates two years of in-depth observation and conversation. Based on visits to more than sixty institutions and organizations—including colleges, state systems, accrediting bodies, and foundations—the authors provide an unflinching portrait of a sector navigating a complex, high-stakes transformation.

Colleges and universities are confronting the combined pressures of demographic realignment, economic strain, and technological disruption. They face challenges not only in attracting and retaining students, but also in remaining relevant in a world reshaped by automation, artificial intelligence, and the accelerating demands of a global knowledge economy. This book chronicles the successes and missteps of institutional responses while tracking new developments that have surged to the forefront, including the rise of alternative credentials, the redefinition of college affordability, renewed scrutiny of DEI initiatives, and growing political tensions around academic freedom and public trust.

From Upheaval to Action identifies areas of experimentation and change, spotlighting the creativity and resilience emerging within the sector. It examines what is being tried, what is proving effective, and what remains uncertain, offering essential insights into how today's decisions are shaping the colleges and universities of tomorrow. Transformation is already underway, and its outcomes will be shaped by those institutions prepared to meet it with purpose, flexibility, and courage.