The Future of Residential College: Hybrid, Scalable, and Built for Student Demand
Smaller colleges and universities are moving away from traditional one-size-fits-all residential models in response to mounting enrollment pressures. Institutions are embracing hybrid and scalable learning formats designed to meet the evolving expectations of today's students. The shift reflects a broader trend toward flexible, demand-driven higher education delivery.
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Key takeaways
Enrollment pressures are forcing smaller institutions to rethink traditional residential college models.
Hybrid and scalable learning formats are emerging as practical alternatives to fully in-person programs.
Student demand and evolving expectations are driving structural changes in how colleges deliver education.
The traditional residential college experience is transforming. Driven by rising costs, declining enrollment, and student demand for flexibility, small private colleges are rethinking their academic models. A 2022 McKinsey & Company survey found that 65 percent of higher education students want aspects of their learning experience to remain virtual, even post-pandemic. This shift signals a growing appetite for hybrid environments that blend campus life with scalable online access.
65 percent of higher education students want aspects of their learning experience to remain virtual, even post-pandemic.
What does a hybrid future look like for small colleges, and can it preserve the heart of the campus experience while offering students more?
On DisruptED, guest host Darin Francis, the CEO at Harbinger Lane Consulting, welcomes Charlie Anastasi, the VP at Rize Education. Anastasi explains how his team is guiding colleges through the shift toward hybrid learning. Speaking from the ASU+GSV Summit, he describes how Rize partners with over 100 institutions, including many residential colleges, to collaboratively deliver online programs that broaden academic offerings, boost enrollment, and improve career outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- Rize enables small colleges to launch high-demand programs like cybersecurity by sharing core online courses across institutions.
- Students retain the in-person residential experience while gaining access to new majors that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive to launch individually.
- Rize partners report a fivefold return on investment through increased enrollment and strong student satisfaction with hybrid course offerings.
Charlie Anastasi is Vice President of Revenue and Academic Partnerships at Rize Education, where he leads institutional growth strategies that expand access to affordable, career-aligned programs. He previously served in leadership roles at Adrian College and CADRE, bridging higher education innovation with strategic development. Earlier in his career, he worked in real estate private equity at Blackstone, bringing strong financial and operational expertise to the education sector.
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About the author
With 20 years of experience at the intersection of higher education and edtech, Darin Francis brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for driving meaningful change in the sector. Having led teams, crafted go-to-market (GTM) strategies, and worked closely with institutions, Darin is uniquely positioned to help edtech companies navigate the complexities of U.S. and Canadian higher education. Darin Francis, based in Detroit, MI, US, is currently a Managing Partner and CEO at Harbinger Lane Consulting.
