Lessons from 2024: How Herzing University is Shaping the Future of Education

As 2024 comes to a close, it's an opportunity to reflect on a transformative year for higher education and workforce development. For Herzing University, this year was defined by innovation and collaboration, with initiatives aimed at meeting the evolving needs of students, employers and communities. From launching career-focused programs to strengthening partnerships and expanding support for diverse learners, Herzing has remained committed to creating meaningful change.

Here are some of the key trends that shaped education in 2024. Let’s look back at Herzing's most notable achievements and consider what it means as we look to the University’s diamond anniversary in 2025.

Key Trends of 2024 in Higher Education and Workforce Development

We’ll remember 2024 as a year which brought significant changes to education and workforce demands, highlighting the need for inclusivity, diverse representation and technology-driven learning. Herzing University led the way, bridging the gap between the needs of today’s learners and the demands of tomorrow’s industries.

Adapting to Changing Workforce Demands

With labor shortages continuing in sectors like healthcare and technology, higher education became essential in addressing workforce gaps. Herzing responded with innovative programs like the BSN-to-DNP, enabling nurses to advance directly to a terminal degree and the 4+1 Public Health Program, a partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin that streamlines undergraduate and graduate degrees into five years. These efforts underscore the value of flexible, career-focused pathways that meet evolving workforce demands.

Inclusivity and Diversity in Education

This year also brought a renewed focus on equity and representation in education. At Herzing, this commitment came to life through initiatives like the Kenosha campus’s Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution Grant, which expanded support for Hispanic and underserved students, and the opening of the Minneapolis Multicultural Center, a space designed to foster cultural exchange and inclusion. These efforts demonstrate Herzing’s dedication to creating an educational environment that reflects and serves the communities it impacts.

The Shift Toward Flexible, Technology-Driven Learning

The rise of hybrid and online learning continued to transform education in 2024. Herzing’s online programs, which have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for 12 consecutive years, exemplify the success of blending accessibility with quality. Programs like the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner degree provided nurses with the flexibility to pursue advanced training while balancing work and life commitments.

A Launchpad for Innovation: The New Atlanta Campus

Herzing’s new high-tech campus in Sandy Springs, Atlanta, opened this year as a cutting-edge hub for education in healthcare, business, and technology. Equipped with state-of-the-art simulation labs, advanced tools like newborn and adult mannequins, and collaborative learning spaces, the campus prepares students for the demands of a tech-driven world. Beyond Atlanta, the campus serves as a testing ground for innovations that will benefit Herzing’s entire network, amplifying its impact nationwide. Herzing’s accomplishments this year weren’t just about accolades or program launches—they were about creating opportunities. Each of these trends highlights a shared truth: education must evolve alongside the world it seeks to serve. By embracing change and aligning educational strategies with real-world challenges, Herzing University is leading by example.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward into 2025

2024 offered a wealth of lessons that will shape Herzing’s future. Chief among them is the recognition that innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration are not just values—they are imperatives for success. 

• Innovation Drives Success: Programs like the BSN-to-DNP pathway show the power of creating new solutions to meet evolving industry needs. For example, early feedback from the inaugural cohort highlighted how these programs save students significant time and costs while preparing them for leadership roles in healthcare. 
• Equity Is Essential: Initiatives like the Title V grant remind us that representation matters and that supporting underserved communities benefits everyone. At the Kenosha campus, Hispanic nursing students have already reported greater confidence and support because of targeted mentoring programs introduced this year.
• Collaboration Is Key: Partnerships with organizations like the Medical College of Wisconsin highlight how working together can amplify impact. The 4+1 Public Health Program, for instance, has set the stage for future collaborations in fields like mental health and community health initiatives.

As we look to 2025, these lessons will guide Herzing in continuing to innovate and expand. From launching new programs to deepening relationships with community and industry partners, the university is poised to make even greater strides in addressing the needs of students and stakeholders.

A Vision for 2025 and Beyond

The year 2025 marks Herzing University’s 60th anniversary—a milestone that serves as both a celebration of its legacy and a launchpad for its future. Over the past six decades, Herzing has grown from a single campus into a nationally recognized institution, helping thousands of students achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to society.

As Herzing looks ahead, this anniversary year will be about more than reflection. It will be a time to embrace the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world, leveraging the lessons of the past to shape the future. For students, partners, and communities alike, 2025 represents a shared opportunity—a moment to build on what has been achieved and to dream boldly about what’s possible. Together, we’ll continue to create pathways to success, transforming lives and shaping a better future.