Higher Education Leaders Address AI, Funding Challenges at Annual Event

Higher education institutions in northern Illinois are navigating significant challenges, including the rise of artificial intelligence, shifts in job markets, and reductions in federal funding. Leaders from Northern Illinois University, Kishwaukee College, and Waubonsee Community College shared their insights during an annual event hosted by the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation on March 5, 2024.

Kishwaukee College President Laurie Borowicz highlighted the tumultuous landscape of the past decade. “From a budget impasse to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a whirlwind for higher education. Now we’re just in a world of uncertainty,” Borowicz remarked. She noted the recent loss of a multimillion-dollar federal grant, which was announced with only a ten-day notice.

The implications of dwindling federal support have prompted institutions like Kishwaukee College to revise their financial strategies. “This year we budgeted in contingencies that we’ve not budgeted for before, understanding that these federal grants could disappear,” Borowicz added.

During the discussion, Dr. Lisa Freeman, president of Northern Illinois University, emphasized that approximately 90% of NIU students receive some form of financial aid. “Our students make up a significant part of the population in DeKalb city and DeKalb County, and the challenges they face mirror those of the community,” she explained. Freeman underscored the importance of providing support to students who often lead “complicated lives.”

The event took place at Faranda’s Banquets, where local business leaders, politicians, and community members gathered to discuss pressing issues. Melissa Amedeo, executive director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, moderated the panel that included Freeman, Borowicz, and Brian Knetl, president of Waubonsee Community College. Knetl expressed a collaborative vision for partnerships among educational institutions, stating, “We’re looking at what the next level of transfer looks like,” referring to efforts to ensure credits earned at Waubonsee are transferable to NIU.

The advent of technology, particularly AI, has transformed educational operations. Freeman described a “high-tech, high-touch” approach at NIU, where an AI chatbot alerts students in residence halls about their attendance. If an absence persists, a residence hall advisor follows up directly. This proactive measure aims to engage students before issues escalate.

At the event, representatives from the business community, including Tara Tenorio from Meta, shared their support for local initiatives. Tenorio praised the community’s resilience and commitment to fostering economic growth. “I see a community not just of dreamers and visionaries but also of individuals who are willing to dig in and help,” she stated.

On the eve of the business breakfast, community members gathered at the DeKalb Public Library for a public hearing related to a proposed 560-acre data center campus by Endeavour Energy. While the DeKalb City Council has yet to approve the development, city officials have expressed support. Local businessman Jamie Walter of Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. emphasized the need to balance economic growth with preserving the city’s agricultural character.

In closing remarks, Amedeo reinforced the importance of agriculture in DeKalb County, stating, “We are not going to try to just do away with agriculture and bring in all these businesses, because agriculture is a key part of our life nationally.”

As higher education leaders reflect on the challenges ahead, the dialogue remains crucial for fostering collaboration and ensuring the future success of both students and the wider community.