Drew University President Hilary L. Link, PhD, has hosted and participated in a number of thought-provoking events, panels, and discussions focused on the future of higher education and its convergence with various technologies, industries, and movements.
The Future of Higher Education
In November 2025, Drew University hosted The Future of Higher Education: Innovation, Disruption, and the New Ecosystem of Learning & Work. The interactive convening explored AI-driven innovation, disruptive models, and the new learning-work ecosystem that is shaping our future.
The keynote address was delivered by Michael Horn, author of Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools and Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career. Thought leaders and experts joined panels on Lessons Learned From Creating a New School, The Evolving Ecosystem of Learning and Work, AI and Higher Education, and Where Does Higher Education Go From Here?
The event was generously underwritten by Debra S. Weinberg C’82 and Joseph Weinberg.
The Future of Higher Education
Wisdom Meets Innovation Panel
President Link was among six panelists at the “Wisdom Meets Innovation: How AI Will Transform Education and Connect Generations” event in Los Angeles in April 2025. Co-hosted by Drew University and Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, the panel focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and life-long learning communities across generations.
President Link was joined by fellow panelists Marc Freeman, founder and co-CEO of CoGenerate; Christopher Leech, director of Wallis Annenberg GenSpace; Jonathon Stewart, head of engagement for 2HR Learning/Alpha Schools; Michelle Weise, Drew University innovation advisor and author of Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs that Don’t Even Exist Yet; and Constance Yowell, executive director of the Center on the Future of Higher Education at Northeastern University.
Wisdom Meets Innovation
The Presidential Innovation Series
During the spring 2025 semester, President Hilary L. Link, PhD, began the Presidential Innovation Series with a slate of virtual events highlighting thought leaders—including Drew alumni and trustees—who are at the forefront of innovation and disruption in their industries.
The “Future of…” series featured insightful conversations between President Link and a number of fellow transformative leaders.
The 2025 series included:
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- The Future of Learning with Michelle Weise, PhD and Richard Miller, PhD
- The Future of Biotechnology and Pharma with Suneet Varma and Jean Lachowicz, PhD
- The Future of AI with Kristin Kosinski C’97, Michael Preston, PhD, and Chris Sakalosky C’94
- The Future of Arts & Entertainment with Brian Crowe, Victoria Detres C’17, and Aaron Ehasz P’27
- The Future of Digital Consumerism with Justin Marcucci C’00