Designing the Future University

“From the perspective of institutional strategy and transformation, Designing the Future University is a timely and practical contribution to the challenges facing higher education today. Ghazwan Hassna offers a thoughtful framework for leaders working to rethink institutional models, navigate change responsibly, and align innovation with mission, governance, and long-term sustainability. This is a project that should be of interest to presidents, provosts, trustees, chief strategy officers, CFOs, and other senior leaders across higher education.”

Jennifer Walsh, PhD
SVP of Strategic Initiatives and Chief Strategy Officer, Hawaiʻi Pacific University; Incoming President, William Peace University

“Designing the Future University speaks directly to some of the most important challenges facing higher ed today. Dr. Hassna offers a thoughtful and practical framework for navigating institutional change in ways that align innovation with academic mission, shared governance, and long-term sustainability. This is a timely contribution for provosts and other academic leaders who prefer to be proactive rather than reactive as they work to shape the future of higher education.”

Brenda A. Jensen, PhD
Acting Provost, Hawai'i Pacific University

“As a relatively new CFO in higher education, I have found this work especially valuable in connecting financial realities with broader institutional strategy. Dr. Ghazwan Hassna reframes innovation not as episodic change, but as a disciplined, governed system tied to mission and financial sustainability. Designing the Future University offers a practical guide for leaders shaping the future of their institutions and is essential reading for presidents, provosts, CFOs, trustees, and senior educational leaders across the board.”

David LeNoir
Chief Financial Officer, Hawaiʻi Pacific University

“Arguably, American higher education is facing a level of disruption unseen in its history. Declining public confidence, rising costs, reduced government funding, and increased student expectations are placing intense pressure on the very survival of many institutions across the nation. Colleges and universities must embrace an evolving business model, introduce greater transparency across their campuses, and empower the full institutional community through shared governance in order to survive and thrive in the future.

In my experience, however, very few higher education leaders are equipped with the tools needed to address these challenges. That is why I find Dr. Ghazwan Hassna’s work so compelling and so important at this moment. At last, a comprehensive model and practical guide that can help leaders assess their current realities and develop strategic pathways for future success. These tools should be embraced by trustees, executive teams, and faculty leaders alike as part of a shared institutional effort.

Well done, Dr. Hassna. Your work is critical to helping American higher education overcome its current business challenges and continue creating bright futures for our students.”

David Kostecki
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Hawaiʻi Pacific University

“Designing the Future University brings a much-needed business model lens to some of the most pressing challenges facing higher education today. Dr. Ghazwan Hassna makes a compelling case that institutional sustainability, innovation, and mission are not separate conversations, but deeply connected leadership responsibilities. Through the Higher Education Business Model Innovation Compass (HEBMIC), he offers a practical and well-structured framework for helping leaders diagnose pressures, rethink institutional models, and move from strategic reflection to governed action. This is a timely and distinctive contribution that will be especially valuable to presidents, provosts, trustees, business deans, and other senior leaders working to strengthen the future of higher education.”

William “Bill” Rhey, PhD
Retired Graduate Dean, University of Tampa; Retired Business Dean, Chaminade University

“Ghazwan Hassna is one of the most sophisticated analysts of big data in the academic world today, and has used his analytical skills to develop a practical and comprehensive response to challenges facing higher education. Designing the Future University is a smart and useful guide for senior leaders facing those challenges, and I highly recommend it.”

Susanne Woods, PhD
Provost Emerita, Wheaton College (MA)

“In Designing the Future University, Dr. Ghazwan Hassna delivers a clear and compelling framework for navigating the structural and strategic challenges facing higher education today. By integrating research, practical leadership models, and applied learning resources, he moves beyond theory to provide actionable guidance for institutional transformation. Particularly notable is the work’s integration of the HEBMIC framework, shared governance, and practical leadership tools that help institutions move from insight to governed action. This is an important contribution to the field and a valuable resource for presidents, trustees, provosts, and senior leaders committed to strengthening institutional resilience and long-term relevance.”

Jeffrey Blake Rich
Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Hawaiʻi Pacific University