Robert M. Zemsky

Robert Zemsky is highlighted as a thought leader and main proponent of behind college-in-3 initiatives.

Robert Zemsky says that many students are dropping out or transferring before completing four years of traditional college, hence describing the failing college model as "product rejection."

Robert Zemsky's work in establishing the 3-year college model is cited in this piece.

Robert Zemsky says that a small number of institutions claim that the current model of college is not working and needs to be changed.

Robert Zemsky comments on three-year college degrees.

Robert Zemsky comments on the growing push for 3-year bachelor's degrees.

Robert Zemsky says that proposals to introduce three-year bachelor’s degrees at some University of Wisconsin campuses reflect a growing effort to reduce the cost and time required to complete college while maintaining the value of a traditional degree.

On Inside Higher Ed’s The Key podcast, Robert Zemsky says that three-year bachelor’s degrees could help colleges respond to declining student demand by offering a more efficient model.

Robert Zemsky says that momentum behind three-year bachelor’s degrees is growing as more states and colleges explore accelerated degree options to lower costs, improve affordability, and help students enter the workforce sooner, reflecting broader shifts in higher education models.

In The Boston Globe, Robert Zemsky says that Massachusetts’ move to allow colleges to propose three-year bachelor’s programs reflects a broader shift in higher education toward more affordable and efficient degree options that help students enter the workforce sooner while reducing the overall cost of earning a degree.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Robert Zemsky says that the three-year college model offers a more efficient alternative to traditional four-year programs, reducing academic waste by at least a quarter while maintaining educational quality.

Robert Zemsky says that much of the curriculum in a 4-year college model is unnecessary and is pushing for the normalization of a 3-year college degree.

Robert Zemsky discusses the "wild" success of the College-in-3 movement, as well as some of the challenges it still faces, including resistance from some more traditional fields of study.

The Boston Globe’s editorial board praises Robert Zemsky’s College-in-3 initiative and advocates for Massachusetts regulators to allow colleges and universities to begin rolling out more three-year bachelor’s degree programs.

Robert Zemsky notes that the four-year curriculum expresses the preferences of faculty rather than students or parents.

Robert Zemsky leads the College-in-3 Exchange initiative, which supports accelerated degree programs like BYU-Pathway’s as a means to “increase student success while decreasing student costs.”

Bob Zemsky advocates for a three-year college degree model, emphasizing cost reduction, improved retention, and a focus on essential learning.

Robert Zemsky says that the richest and biggest institutions of higher education will continue to prosper while small and vulnerable schools go out of business.

Robert Zemsky says that too few small institutions like the University of the Arts are efficient enough to survive without outside subsidies.

Zemsky advocates for a shift to three-year degree programs to combat the rising costs and evolving needs of higher education.

Robert Zemsky spearheaded a national initiative to pilot three-year bachelor’s degrees with fewer than 120 credits, aiming to reduce college costs and accelerate workforce entry. The initiative has influenced about 20 schools to consider adopting more accessible and efficient higher education models.

Robert Zemsky advocates for a new approach to three-year college degrees, which involves fundamentally redesigning undergraduate curricula to reduce the total required credit hours, allowing students to complete their degrees in three years while still enjoying a full college experience.

Robert Zemsky highlights a broader trend of devaluation in higher education and the challenges faced by institutions cutting faculty positions and programs, suggesting that only top-tier universities are thriving while others are struggling.

Robert Zemsky questions the effectiveness of mergers like Vermont State University's consolidation of three struggling colleges in addressing core issues faced by these institutions.

The project's first 3-year degree pilot recently launched at the University of Minnesota Rochester, one of more than a dozen colleges and universities planning similar programs with the project. The idea of a 3-year bachelor’s degree is on track to become ubiquitous, Zemsky says.

The annual event draws educators from around the country for a 3-day conference focused on equitable outcomes. Program alum Lawrence P. Ward and Dean Pam Grossman also received awards for their leadership.

Robert Zemsky’s work with 13 higher education institutions to create three-year programs is highlighted

Robert Zemsky is quoted on the worries that speeding up curriculum to graduate from college in three years would “cheapen the degree.”

Penn GSE’s Robert Zemsky, an expert on higher education, is leading a new project called “College in 3” to explore the feasibility of creating intentional three-year degree programs.

Penn GSE’s Bob Zemsky detailed how many colleges were close to the financial brink just before the pandemic hit. Here’s what he says colleges face in the next year and beyond.

Robert Zemsky said, in the face of the pandemic, colleges with 1,500 or fewer students are facing the question of how much they can shrink and continue to function.

Robert Zemsky said, “It’s revenue pressure, and the sense that ‘if we’re the one that doesn’t open, we lose our share of the market permanently.’”

In his book The College Stress Test, Robert Zemsky predicted that 10% of private, liberal arts colleges in the U.S. were likely to close within the next five years. Now, with the pandemic’s damaging effects on school finances, his prediction has changed to 200 schools in the next year alone.

Robert Zemsky, in his new book, The College Stress Test, estimates that 10 percent of the nation’s colleges – smaller schools with poor retention rates – were already at risk of closing. Now, he said, “we think another 10 percent is at risk because of the virus.”

Robert Zemsky said that “dislodging events,” such as COVID-19, can force needed changes in education.

For 20 percent of institutions, this may be an existential moment, says Robert Zemsky.

Robert Zemsky discusses market pressures of higher education and his book, The College Stress Test. The conversation around what is happening in higher ed is “caught among extreme visions.” Necessary innovations for systemic change are difficult to pull off, he says.