The Future of Higher Education: Lindner’s Vision Through Co-op & Real-World Experience

What does the future of higher education look like — and how is the Lindner College of Business leading the way through co-op and real-world learning? 

In this episode, Dean Marianne Lewis shares her bold vision for higher ed, addresses the shifting perceptions of value among students and families, and explains why Lindner’s co-op model goes far beyond resume building. From student success stories to reimagining the academic mindset, this conversation explores how experiential learning is reshaping the business school experience.

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In this episode/Timestamps 

0:44 – What Dean Lewis sees as the future of higher education 

2:34 – Do students and parents still believe in the value of higher education? 

7:29 – What are today’s business schools missing + why co-op at Lindner/UC is different 

11:01 – What makes co-op at Lindner more than a resume booster + co-op's “beautiful circle” 

16:08 – Student exemplars of co-op theory meeting co-op practice 

19:05 – Why don’t more schools embrace co-op? 

20:52 – If I were a parent or a student, why should I choose Lindner? 

24:21 – If you could redesign higher ed from scratch, where would you start? 

29:04 – Do academic mindsets need to change? 

30:17 – How do we rebuild the trust in higher education – or keep the trust that we still have? 

32:32 – What motivates Dean Lewis to be a leader in higher education? 

33:21 – What's one bold move business schools should make?

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Co-op at Lindner 

Each semester, Lindner undergraduate students can register for paid co-operative education work engagements, similar to signing up for courses. Lindner Career Services helps place students for co-ops that fit their specific interests and programs of choice. The number of co-op experiences required for graduation varies for first-year, transfer and Lindner Business Honors students. Students and employers customize co-op experiences with several flexible options, including full-time, part-time and project-based engagements.