About

President to President is a higher education thought leadership series written by university presidents for university presidents. Each year, the series focuses on a different aspect of the higher education experience. The 2026-2027 edition of President to President, titled “Reframing AI in Higher Education: Perspectives from University Presidents,” features firsthand insights and strategies for engaging AI intentionally rather than reactively. Leading college and university presidents recognize that AI is not simply a technology decision, but a cultural and ethical one.

Few forces are reshaping higher education as rapidly—or as unevenly—as artificial intelligence. It presents both promise and peril for campus leaders, influencing everything from academic integrity and admissions models to operational efficiency, equity, and institutional trust. How institutions respond—and lead—during this time will shape not only their campuses, but the future value and meaning of higher education itself.

The advent and widespread use of AI raises fundamental questions about teaching, learning, policies, infrastructure, human labor, student development, and ethics. Rather than delegating these conversations, these presidents are actively setting direction, asking hard questions, and determining where efficiency should accelerate progress and where human connection must remain protected.

Each chapter explores a distinct dimension of AI’s impact on higher education, from productivity gains and resource allocation to student and faculty expectations and long-term institutional risk. Alongside the opportunities, presidents candidly address the challenges, inspiration, unintended consequences, gaps, governance tensions, and the pace of change itself.

By sharing real-world perspectives, this series aims to help higher education leaders navigate AI with clarity, courage, and purpose—demonstrating that thoughtful presidential leadership remains essential in ensuring technology serves, rather than reshapes, the core mission of higher education.

Each chapter of President to President is authored by a notable thought leader at the forefront of innovative philosophies and practices that give their institution a competitive advantage. For the first 19 years of President to President, higher education leaders Scott D. Miller, Ph.D., and Marylouise Fennell, Ed.D., served as executive editors. After the passing in October 2022 of Dr. Fennell, a beloved colleague and friend and a force to be reckoned with, Dr. Miller continued the series in her honor. In 2023, he welcomed two new Assistant Editors: Katelyn M. Sanders, Pharm. D., and Kelly R. Cordova, M.B.A.

Each month, one chapter will be distributed and promoted electronically, as well as posted on https://www.president2president.com. At the end of the series, the foreword and chapters will be published into a thought-provoking collection and made available as a reference resource.