NDNU President Leamor Kahanov Discusses the Future of Higher Education on KRON4

Notre Dame de Namur University President Leamor Kahanov recently joined KRON4 to discuss the future of NDNU, the changing landscape of higher education, and how the University is evolving to meet the needs of today’s students.

As NDNU celebrates its 175th anniversary, President Kahanov reflected on the University’s rich history while emphasizing the opportunity to reimagine what higher education can look like for the next generation of learners.

“We have an opportunity to recreate higher education so that it fits students, not that students fit the structure we’ve created,” Kahanov said during the interview.

Building Higher Education Around Today’s Students

A central theme of President Kahanov’s conversation was flexibility. Today’s college students do not all follow the traditional path of attending a residential university immediately after high school. Many are working professionals, parents and caregivers, degree-completion students, or individuals looking to develop new skills and make a professional pivot.

President Kahanov described these students as the “modern learner”—individuals who may need online, hybrid, and other flexible educational options that allow them to pursue their goals while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.

NDNU is continuing to serve these learners through degree-completion and graduate programs in areas including business, education, and clinical counseling psychology, while maintaining the sense of community that has long been part of the NDNU experience.

Staying Relevant in a Changing Workforce

When asked about one of the greatest challenges facing higher education today, President Kahanov pointed to relevancy.

As the needs of students and employers continue to change, universities must consider what the workforce requires and how educational experiences can adapt accordingly. For NDNU, that means creating an environment that fits its students while continuing to innovate alongside the Bay Area communities it serves.

Industry partnerships are an important part of that approach. President Kahanov also highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the digital world, emphasizing the importance of incorporating technology into teaching, academic programs, and student communication to help prepare graduates for what they will encounter in the workplace.

A Human-Centered Approach to Education

Even as technology transforms education and the workplace, President Kahanov emphasized that NDNU remains a relational and human-centered university.

That philosophy extends beyond what happens in the classroom. Looking ahead, NDNU plans to continue developing flexible educational experiences, strengthening connections with industry, and considering the needs of students as whole people.

“We’re going to make sure that we’re as flexible as we can be,” President Kahanov shared, while also emphasizing industry partnerships, different financial structures, and additional ways for students to engage with the University and successfully pursue their education.

Looking Ahead at NDNU

As NDNU begins its next chapter, the University is building on 175 years of history while adapting to a rapidly changing educational and professional landscape.

President Kahanov’s vision centers on an NDNU that is flexible, innovative, connected to industry, and responsive to the people it serves—providing students with opportunities to pursue an education that fits their lives and helps them make an impact in their communities.

As she shared during the KRON4 interview, NDNU’s goal is ultimately to ensure students can “get an education” and “change their communities.”

Explore NDNU’s academic programs and discover the path that’s right for you at ndnu.edu