In 2026, Higher Education Will Be Judged by Its Community Impact – Not Just Its Enrollment Numbers
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Student success is being redefined
In its overview of higher education trends for 2026, InsideTrack points to a broader view of student success – one that goes beyond academic performance alone. Engagement, belonging, and relevance are increasingly tied to whether students persist and thrive. When students feel connected to their campus and their surroundings, they’re more likely to stay enrolled and see value in their experience.
Universities are being asked to show real community value
A January 2026 Forbes article outlines several hopes for U.S. higher education, including greater adoption of new technologies and credentials, alongside a stronger commitment to communities. The piece emphasizes the need for colleges and universities to contribute in clear, measurable ways to regional priorities, from workforce development to economic and civic health.
The gap between intention and visibility
Most institutions already support community engagement in some form. Local partnerships, experiential learning, and regional programs are happening every day. The challenge is that these efforts are often spread across departments and hard to see in one place. Without better visibility and measurement, meaningful engagement can be difficult to connect back to student success goals or institutional impact.
Where Bandwango fits
Bandwango helps bring structure to community-connected experiences. By organizing engagement into clear pathways and tracking participation along the way, institutions can better understand how students are engaging beyond the classroom, and how those experiences support broader goals around success, retention, and regional impact. It’s a practical way to turn activity into insight without adding complexity.
Looking ahead
In 2026 and beyond, higher education institutions that stand out will be those that can clearly show how learning extends into the communities around them. Community engagement isn’t a side project anymore – it’s part of how institutions demonstrate relevance and value. With the right tools and frameworks in place, engagement becomes something institutions can not only support, but clearly communicate.
To learn more about how Bandwango works in Higher Ed, book a demo here.
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