Chronicle Festival | Resources — Building Trust During Change

Day 1 ◆ Students Day 2 Leadership Day 3 Work Force

Day 1 | Building Trust with Students

A thread of distrust is shaping how many students view higher education. Surveys show some students lose confidence after enrolling, and faculty report growing student skepticism and disengagement in the classroom. What’s driving these attitudes and how can institutions rebuild trust with today’s learners? The first day of the Chronicle Festival explores these questions and practical paths forward.

Video Segment

How the U. of Delaware Is Helping Students Build Their Networking Skills

Teaching Students the ‘Good Life’

The Happiness Lab – podcast from Laurie Santos.

The Daily Briefing – a Chronicle newsletter co-written by Beckie Supiano that helps busy administrators and faculty keep up with the daily news in higher ed.

“Understanding the Gen Z Student," – a Chronicle in-depth report.

Reframing the Role of AI in Learning from Skepticism to Support

Sponsor Segment presented by Gemini for Education

Google’s Higher Education Product Guide — Compare 13 education and research products across Google including features, technical requirements, and pricing

2026 Tambellini StarChart™ Analyst Report: Discover why Gemini Enterprise for Education was named a Commander in AI Agent Platforms

Curiosity as Bridge Builder

I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times – book from Monica Guzman.

“Meet the Donors Funding the Civil-Dialogue Boom at Colleges” – a Chronicle article.

“Fostering Civil Dialogue” – a survey report from The Chronicle.

The Future of AI and Technical Learning: Building AI Fluency on Campus

Sponsor Segment presented by Google Cloud

The Future of AI and Technical Learning

The Future of DEI

DEI Legislation Tracker – a Chronicle tracker.

Tracking Higher Ed’s Dismantling of DEI – a Chronicle tracker.

“Campus DEI’s Chief Defender Says Colleges Must Be Clearer About Their Goals” – a Chronicle QnA with Emelyn A. dela Peña.

Reengaging the Disengaged

“The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better” – a book co-authored by Rebecca Winthrop.

Teaching – a Chronicle newsletter written by Beth McMurtrie on ways to improve teaching and learning.

"AI in the Classroom" – a collection of Chronicle articles. Festival attendees can get a 40% discount on the cost by using “CLASSROOM40” in the Chronicle Store or by clicking on the link in the title.

Day 2 | Building Trust as a Leader

Higher-ed leaders are navigating political pressure, shifting student expectations, and financial uncertainty. But without trust, from the public, faculty, and campus communities, meaningful innovation is difficult. The second day of the Chronicle Festival examines how leaders are building credibility, strengthening alignment, and guiding their institutions through change.

Building Trust as a Leader

Decision Points – a NEW Chronicle newsletter for aspiring leaders.

Vision Meets Execution: Leading Higher Ed Through Rapid Change

Sponsor Segment presented by Old Dominion University

Defying National Trends: Old Dominion University Marks Historic Enrollment Momentum Driven by Forward-Focused Digital Transformation

Forward-Focused: Digital Transformation

A New Compact for Colleges

“A Month After the Department of Ed Released ‘Compact 2.0,’ Higher Ed Is Watching and Waiting” – a Chronicle article.

The Daily Briefing – a Chronicle newsletter co-written by Rick Seltzer that helps busy administrators and faculty keep up with the daily news in higher ed.

The Last Liberal – a Chronicle profile of Danielle Allen as part of our “People to Watch” issue.

Bridging the Faculty-Leadership Divide

"Building Trust: How administrators and the faculty can work together productively” – an in-depth Chronicle report by Lee Gardner. Chronicle Festival attendees can get a 40% discount for the report using the code “TRUST40” in the Chronicle Store or by clicking on the link in the title.

“Building a Network of Commitments" – an advice article by Howard Teibel.

Leading Through Change: Building Trust, Alignment, and Confidence

Sponsor Segment presented by Coursedog

StarChart: 2026 Catalog and Curriculum Management Report

Navigating Neutrality

The Review – Chronicle newsletter by Len Gutkin explores the big ideas and provocative arguments shaping the academy.

The University’s Voice: Principled Silence and Purposeful Speech – book written by Steven G. Poskanzer.

“The Case for Reticence: ‘Institutional neutrality’ needs an update” – a Chronicle opinion article by Steven G. Poskanzer.

Day 3 | Building Trust to Support the Work Force

Skepticism about the value of a college degree is growing, as some graduates struggle to find strong job outcomes. Institutions are being pushed to better connect education to careers, expand flexible pathways, and rethink credentials. The third day of the Chronicle Festival highlights forward-thinking approaches that position campuses as engines of career mobility and economic opportunity.

AI Resources from Jeff Young

Jagged Intelligence – a NEW Chronicle newsletter on how AI is reshaping higher ed written by Jeff.

Learning Curve – Jeff's podcast on AI and education.

A Transformed Economy

“There Is No Turning Back on AI” – an opinion article in the Free Press by Tyler Cowen.

Chronicle reports on AI – Using the code “AI40” festival attendees can get a 40% discount on a special package of recent in-depth reports on how colleges and universities are changing policies, strategies, curricula, and classroom practices because of AI.