Gen Z Needs a Very Different Kind of Classroom with Trey Harris of Clarus

 

In this Glass is in Session podcast, Trey Harris, Education Market Manager at Clarus, discusses education sales at the university level. For the better part of the first decade of his career, Harris worked in architectural photography, led national marketing for the planning and landscape architecture division of a national A/E firm, and honed his skills as a professional communicator. Now at Clarus, having joined last year to lead education sales, he has visited 92 universities in nine months. There, he’s seen a trend across the board: classrooms aren’t equipped for Generation Z.

“The in-house designers at the university, when they’re looking at what they want their classrooms to be, how do they filter all this new generation’s needs,” Harris said. Higher education is such an enticing market not only because older adults are returning to college, but because of the size of Generation Z; the majority are just now entering college, but soon will be making up 40 percent of all consumers. He notes that Gen Z is very different from both Gen Y (Millennials) and Gen X, saying, “security and stability” are what they value most.

“Technology is integrated into their lives at birth,” Harris says. “Technoholics would be an understatement.” He discusses how although Gen X will move companies, they do not move industries. It’s becoming clear that Gen Z are what he terms “career multitaskers,” meaning they will move industries throughout their working lives. They want their hobbies to be their professions, and this innate flexibility need to be expressed in their learning process. Harris explains how Clarus helps universities make the design and technological transition Gen Z expects, empowering project-based learning and flipped classrooms through collaborative technology like the glassboard.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Education Technology Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!
Twitter – @EdTechMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

leadership
The Power of Purpose – Leadership and Vision with Byron Sanders
May 14, 2025

Welcome to this transformative episode of the Undisputed Podcast, where your host, Ty Bledsoe, CEO of Undisputed LLC, engages in a riveting conversation with Byron Sanders, a visionary changing the landscape of community leadership and public health. A former president and renowned CEO, Byron shares his journey from humble beginnings in Southern Dallas to reshaping…

Read More
democratize
AI in Education Can Democratize Expertise—But Only If Systems Evolve
May 14, 2025

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in our everyday lives, AI and education are becoming more tightly intertwined. Many teachers and students are experimenting with AI in education, from personalized tutoring tools to automated lesson planning. While traditional edtech tools struggled to deliver on the promise of personalized learning, today’s generative AI appears poised to…

Read More
future of fiber
The Future of Fiber: Strategies and Collaboration
May 14, 2025

As next-generation broadband continues to transform digital experiences across the U.S., Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are reshaping how we think about infrastructure, speed, and scalability. The industry is no longer just about faster speeds—it’s about smarter service, tailored rollouts, and future-ready networks that can meet the evolving needs of homes, businesses, and communities. In this…

Read More
HVAC
The Evolution of HVAC Media Through the Eyes of Kyle Gargaro
May 13, 2025

The HVAC industry is no longer just about furnaces and air conditioners, and neither is HVAC media. It’s an ever-evolving ecosystem, shaped by technological advances, regulatory changes, and shifting workforce dynamics. With more than a century of history, publications catering to HVAC-related news, such as ACHR News, have played a crucial role in keeping…

Read More