Higher ed needs the help of the arts to solve problems
Preview:
Creative problem-solving in higher education is tied to the habits of mind the arts help cultivate, including imagination, collaboration, flexibility, and comfort with ambiguity. As colleges face challenges shaped by AI, public skepticism, mental health concerns, and institutional change, leadership is framed as requiring more than technical expertise alone, calling instead for expansive thinking that helps people see problems differently and imagine more resilient solutions.
Originally published: February 24, 2026
Author: Greg Jones
Position: President
Institution: Belmont University
Published by: University Business