Welcome Generation Alpha!  I Hope that Higher Education can Meet Your Expectations.

Post-Secondary Education in the Age of Digital Natives

Higher Education leaders are still reeling from the fact that many Gen Zer’s don’t see the value in higher education. Suppose we can’t meet the expectations of this current generation. Will we be able to transform our mission to adequately meet the expectations of digital natives Generation Alpha, who have never known a time when the entire world was not readily available to them via a mobile device? Born between 2010 and 2025, Generation Alpha, the successors of Generation Z, are the first generation to embrace the 21st century from birth fully. Understanding who they are, what they want, and how higher education practitioners can prepare for their arrival is crucial for educators and institutions alike.

What Characterizes Generation Alpha?

Generation Alpha is the first to be fully immersed in the digital age, growing up with technology as an integral part of their lives. These digital natives are characterized by their exposure to diverse cultures, global connectivity, and unprecedented access to information. Born into a time of unprecedented technological advancement, they will be the most technologically literate and globally connected generation to date. Parents of Gen Alpha’s have lovingly nicknamed them “honey badgers,” reminiscent of characteristics such as brave, armor-plated, resourceful, persistent, and fierce!

What Are Their Expectations?

Understanding the desires and preferences of Generation Alpha is essential for educators and institutions aiming to meet their needs effectively.

Technology Integration: Generation Alpha is accustomed to seamless technological integration in all aspects of life. They expect educational institutions to leverage technology for interactive learning experiences, online resources, and virtual collaboration.

Flexible Learning Paths: This generation values flexibility in their educational journeys. Offering a variety of learning paths, including hybrid and online options, is a must to allow these students to customize their learning experience based on individual needs and preferences.

Global Awareness and Diversity: Growing up in a hyper-connected world, Generation Alpha is more globally aware and culturally diverse than any previous generation. Consequently, this population will expect diverse perspectives and a global mindset incorporated throughout the curriculum. 

Practical Skills and Real-World Applications: Generation Alpha highly values acquiring practical skills with real-world applications. Programs and courses must integrate hands-on experiences, offer internships, and be based on current business and industry knowledge and skill expectations.

How Must the World of Higher Education be Ready for Generation Alpha?

Preparing for the arrival of Generation Alpha involves embracing innovation, flexibility, and a forward-thinking approach. Based on the expectations of Generation Alpha, this checklist offers seven ideas that begin to set a foundation for readiness activities:

1. Invest in cutting-edge technology to create engaging and interactive learning environments. Technology must include virtual and extended reality labs, online collaboration tools, and adaptive learning platforms that cater to diverse learning styles.

2. Design programs with flexible structures that allow for hybrid learning, online courses, modular credentials comprised of stackable micro-credentials, gamification, and opportunities for personalized learning. This generation will appreciate the concept of badging and its association with “a win” more than any other in the past. 

3. Integrate global perspectives and cultural diversity into the curriculum. Collaborate with international institutions, incorporate study abroad programs, and expose students to various cultural experiences.

4. Create opportunities for hands-on learning, internships, and experiential education throughout the curriculum. 

5. Equip faculty with the skills and knowledge needed to integrate technology into the learning environment effectively. Continuous professional development ensures faculty are well-prepared and credible to a generation raised on virtual reality and beyond.

6. Enhance student support services to be adaptable and responsive. Essential services must include providing mental and emotional health resources, wellness, and personalized support systems to address unique challenges, some of which we may not yet recognize, such as extreme cyberbullying, misinformation, and the impact of polarization. Tutoring will be a much sought-after commodity for this generation who characteristically have short attention spans due to their scrolling habits.

7. Think Amazon and the Amazon experience in personalized marketing. Whether they are shopping for a new gaming device or an education, a customer experience that includes consistency, vast selection, rapid response, convenience, and competitive pricing is a must for this generation.

In conclusion, organizations that embrace the dynamic characteristics and preferences of Generation Alpha are better positioned to provide a relevant and effective educational experience. Take heart; before you know it, it will be time to prepare ourselves for Generation Beta!

The Origins of Success logo depicts a nautilus. Nautiluses have been in existence for hundreds of millions of years.  They have survived five mass extinctions—all unfazed. While the nautilus cephalopod and humans are vastly different organisms, I selected the nautilus shell as a logo because I believe that there are comparisons between the nautilus’s remarkable ability to thrive by continuing its growth and how we, as humans, also thrive through continual growth, adaptability, learning from our past, self-development, and balance. 

Continual Growth

   – Nautilus: Nautiluses are known for their unique method of growth. They have a spiral shell with internal chambers. As the nautilus grows, it creates new, larger chambers, leaving the smaller, older ones behind. This adaptation allows them to maintain buoyancy at different stages of their life.

   – Humans: Like the nautilus, humans also have the capacity for continual growth throughout their lives. Whether it’s acquiring new skills, gaining knowledge, or developing emotionally, humans can adapt and expand their capabilities over time.

 Adaptability

   – Nautilus: The nautilus adjusts to its changing needs by creating new chambers in its shell. This adaptability is crucial for its survival, allowing it to navigate different depths in the ocean.

   – Humans: Personal growth often involves adapting to changing circumstances. Humans who seek improvement must be adaptable, open to learning new things, and adjusting their perspectives to overcome challenges.

Learning from the Past

   – Nautilus: The abandoned chambers in the nautilus shell serve as a record of its past growth. Each chamber represents a stage in its life, and the nautilus can learn from its history.

   – Humans: Reflecting on past experiences is integral to personal growth. Learning from successes and failures helps humans make informed decisions and improve their future outcomes.

Self-Development

   – Nautilus: The nautilus doesn’t stop growing until the end of its life. It actively engages in self-development by creating new chambers, allowing it to remain buoyant and survive in different environments.

   – Humans: Similarly, individuals who seek personal growth are on a continuous journey of self-development. Whether through education, skill-building, or personal experiences, humans strive to become better versions of themselves throughout their lives.

Balance

   – Nautilus: The nautilus maintains buoyancy and balance by adjusting its shell’s structure. This equilibrium is crucial for its survival.

   – Humans: Achieving balance in various aspects of life, such as work and personal life, is a common goal for those seeking personal growth. Balancing different facets contributes to overall well-being and success.

Like the nautilus, you, too, can change, evolve, and thrive.  Your origin of success already lies within you.  Like the nautilus, you can take charge of your destiny today and move from the old to the new!

Dr. Kays CV

Education

2001 Ed.D., University of North Texas-Denton, TX

Major: Applied Technology, Training & Development

Minor: Computer Education & Cognitive Systems, Distance LearningEmphasis

Dissertation Title: The Effect of Psychological Type, Economic Status, and Minority Classification on the Pass/Fail Rates of Vocational Nursing Students

1989 M.Ed., Midwestern State University-Wichita Falls, TX

Major: Counseling

1984 B.A., Midwestern State University-Wichita Falls, TX

Major: Psychology

Minor: Sociology

Professional Licensure and Certification

Licensed Professional Counselor

Certified Professional Life Coach

Professional Experience

2016-Present President, Kilgore College (KC), TX

2022-2023 Special Advisor to the Commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board(THECB), TX

2011-2016 President, Stanly Community College (SCC), NC

2008-2011 Vice-President of Student Learning and Success, Guilford Technical Community College(GTCC), NC

Teaching Experience

2013-2021 Wingate University, Ballantyne, NC-Ed.D. Program in Community College Leadership,

Teaching/Learning & Student Success and Student Services

2009-2011 Guilford Technical Community College, NCIntroduction to Human Service Technology

2008 Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX-Graduate, Communication Skills for HumanResource Development

2003-2004 University of North Texas, Denton, TX-Graduate and Undergraduate-Curriculum Design,Advanced

Facilitation Strategies and Leadership

Awards/Honors/Appointments

2022 Phi Theta Kappa Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction

2021 Commission on Community College Finance-Appointee of Texas Speaker Dade Phelan

2018 Arthur F. Beyer Distinguished Alumnus, Midwestern State University

2016 Stanly Community College-Faculty Innovation Center Naming Dedication

2006 Tom Natale Distinguished Leadership Award

2006 Distinguished Alumna West College of Education, Midwestern State University

1999 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Select Professional Activities

2004-Present Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Appeals Committee Member 2023-2025; Board of Directors Executive Committee 2018-2020; Boardof Directors 2015-2020; Served as peer evaluator on 12 Onsite Committees (Chaired 5) and 1 OffsiteCommittee

2016-Present Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) Chair, Chair Elect, Legislative Committee Chair

2020-2023 National Center for Inquiry and Improvement Rural Leader Learning Community

2022Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board College Needs & Opportunities Steering Committee

2021-2022 Texas 2036 Higher Education Finance Simulator Advisory Group

2017-2020 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Community and Technical College Leadership Council

Select Workshop/Conference Presentations/Briefs

2023 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Conference-Panelist-Texas Commission on Community College Finance-Denver, CO

2023 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Conference-Presenter-Scaling 8-Week

Terms for Institutional Transformation-Denver, CO

2023 Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) Board of Trustee Institute-Presentation-8-Week

Course Journey-Lakeway, TX

2022 Texas Lyceum-Panelist-Educating a Well-Rounded and Reliable Workforce-Longview, TX

2022 Educate Texas Fall Policy Convening-Panelist-Regional Workforce Alignment: Report from Members of the Texas Community College Finance Commission-Houston, TX

2022 Kilgore Chamber of Commerce Women in Business-Panelist-Lessons Learned from Women

Who Have Broken the Glass Ceiling-Kilgore, TX

2022 Community College Association of Texas Trustees Annual Meeting-Panelist-K-12 Partnerships and Pathways, Houston, TX

2022 Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) Board of Trustees Institute-Panelist-Texas Commission on Community College Finance-San Antonio, TX

2021 National Center for Inquiry and Improvement-Rural Community College Leader Series    

Acting Boldly to Build Financial Solvency View the PDF

2021 Texas Guided Pathways Conference PresentationExpanding Horizons to Support Students Who

Never Knew They Had a Choice-Dallas, TX

2021 Texas Economic Development ConnectionPanelist-Developing Your Texas Workforce-Webinar

2021 Grantmakers for Education Conference PanelistNew Insights to Advance an Equity Agenda in Higher Education and Postsecondary Pathways-Webinar

2021 Aspen Institute College Excellence Program National Symposium PanelistGuided Pathways-Webinar

2023, 2021, 2017 E4 Leadership Kilgore Presenter-Myers Briggs Type Indicator Workshop-Gilmer, TX

2021 Grantmakers for Education PanelistSupporting Rural Communities: Emerging Lessons Learned & Opportunities for the Future Webinar