Higher education is facing a quiet but profound crisis. Budget cuts are sweeping across institutions, forcing tough decisions: job eliminations, unfilled vacancies, and suspended academic programs. At the same time, many faculty and staff are experiencing what some have called “the Great Detachment.” It's not always visible in resignation letters or protests. Instead, it shows up in diminished morale, emotional withdrawal, and a growing sense of disconnection from the work that once felt mission-driven.
This one-two punch—financial strain and workforce disengagement—is creating a ripple effect. As roles go unfilled and long-standing staff exit or burn out, the capacity to deliver on student-centered services diminishes. Students, especially those already navigating barriers to success, are left with fewer points of connection, fewer advocates, and fewer pathways to timely support.
These challenges aren’t theoretical. Recent reporting has tracked a clear trend: faculty and staff are feeling undervalued and overstretched, while institutions grapple with structural deficits and external scrutiny. The result is a growing gap between what students need and what campuses are currently resourced to provide.
That’s why now is not the time to retreat from student support. It’s the time to reimagine it.
Forward-thinking institutions are beginning to invest in creative, scalable solutions that don’t rely solely on full-time staffing models. Peer tutoring, for example, is proving to be more than a stopgap. It’s a high-impact practice that builds belonging, leadership, and academic confidence for both tutor and tutee. When students support each other, campuses gain not just coverage, but community.
Other approaches, like asynchronous learning resources, targeted micro-mentorship programs, and smart use of technology, can extend reach without compromising relationship. But none of this works without intention. Support must be embedded in the fabric of student life, not just layered on as a service.
The bottom line is clear: students are still showing up. They’re still striving. Institutions have a responsibility to meet that energy with models that are resilient, inclusive, and human. That means moving beyond business-as-usual and building systems that can thrive, even in times of uncertainty.
If your campus is rethinking how to deliver student support with more creativity, equity, and impact, we’d love to talk. Schedule a meeting with the Knack team to explore what’s possible.
