By Jacqueline Bichsel, Andy Brantley, and Rob Shomaker | October 2026 Introduction Chief human resources officer (CHRO) roles are among the most challenging in any organization. This is particularly true in higher education, as CHROs work through complex workforce challenges while navigating issues unique to colleges and universities, including internal campus governance structures and external […]
By Brielle Johnson and Jennifer Schneider | September 2026 Introduction The Great Resignation marks a period following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when turnover rates reached record highs.[1] From 2021 to 2022, millions of U.S. employees left their jobs due to low pay, lack of advancement opportunities, not enough flexibility, and overwork.[2] Historic events, […]
By Diana Tubbs | April 2026 Introduction Business and finance employees are essential to higher education, safeguarding the financial health and operational efficiency vital to long-term success. Through responsible financial management and adherence to regulatory standards, these teams provide the support necessary for the campus community to focus on their best work. Higher education is […]
For the best visual experience, we recommend viewing this report on a larger screen. Introduction AI adoption in the higher ed workforce is at a near-universal level, according to a new report from EDUCAUSE, The Impact of AI on Work in Higher Education, which features results from a survey of higher ed employees conducted in […]
By Brielle Johnson and Melissa Fuesting | February 2026 Introduction Adjunct faculty are hired by institutions to teach specific courses and are paid on a course-by-course basis.[1] Across U.S. colleges and universities, there are more than 650,000 adjunct faculty.[2] In 2024-25, adjuncts accounted for approximately 40% of the higher education faculty workforce.[3] Despite the […]
By Brielle Johnson and Melissa Fuesting | November 2025 Introduction Hiring employees who reside in another state presents multiple logistical challenges for higher education institutions and HR professionals. When employees reside out of state, colleges and universities must comply with relevant employment laws and tax systems that vary across states, resulting in greater complexity of […]
By Jennifer Schneider and Jacqueline Bichsel | September 2025 Introduction This report of the CUPA-HR 2025 Higher Education Employee Retention Survey (ERS) provides insight into the evolving factors that underlie employee retention in higher education. Now in its third administration, the 2025 ERS builds on findings from the 2022[1] and 2023[2] surveys to provide a comprehensive […]
By Brielle Johnson and Melissa Fuesting | May 2025 Introduction In recent years, higher education institutions have faced pressure to prioritize certain disciplines over others.[1] Financial strain and a looming “enrollment cliff” have compelled colleges and universities to make strategic decisions about allocating their limited resources.[2],[3] In particular, there have been heightened pressures to emphasize […]
By Diana Tubbs | April 2025 Introduction This report focuses on the employees who ensure that higher education campuses are safe, secure, and free of environmental hazards. The focus of the environmental health, safety, and security (EHSS) workforce is on the protection of students, employees, and visitors, the importance of which cannot be overstated. The […]
By Jacqueline Bichsel and Melissa Fuesting | April 2025 Introduction A non-exempt employee is one that is covered by (not exempt from) the Fair Labor Standards Act. As such, they are required to be paid overtime for every hour worked over 40 hours per week. Non-exempt staff must track their hours and be paid at […]
By Jennifer Schneider and Bailey Graves | December 2024 Introduction Title IX staff play a critical role in ensuring compliance with federal regulations, fostering safe and inclusive campus environments, and addressing issues related to gender equity and sexual misconduct. Adequate staffing and institutional support for these positions are essential for addressing campus needs proactively, mitigating […]
By Diana Tubbs and Melissa Fuesting | July 2024 Introduction Higher ed professionals are the knowledge workers who sustain key university functions. They typically have at least a bachelor’s degree, and most of their positions are what are traditionally considered as white-collar work that helps maintain day-to-day functions of the institution. Without higher ed professionals, […]
