USD President James T. Harris Discusses the Future of Higher Education during New York Times Panel

The annual Dealbook Summit brings together thought leaders to discuss consequential issues facing the world.

On December 3, University of San Diego President James T. Harris III, D.Ed. joined a panel of higher education leaders to discuss the challenges facing higher education and their vision and hopes for the future at The New York Times Dealbook Summit.

Speakers at the summit included business leaders, politicians, heads of state and other notable figures in conversations spanning topics such as leadership, geopolitical issues, the impact of AI, and the state of journalism.

During the Task Force conversation “The Education of Higher Education,” Harris and other university leaders discussed the role of higher education as a public good, how to demonstrate the value of higher education, and how AI and other forces are shaping the learning experience and outcomes for students.

Harris, himself a first-generation college student who at one point during college experienced homelessness, described how, at pivotal moments in American history, access to higher education has opened doors to new opportunities, fostered economic prosperity, and helped put America at the forefront.

“My experience as a student changed the trajectory of my life, and it helped me understand — and why I became a college president — is to help students from low-income and poverty have access,” Harris said. “What I worry about with AI is that there will be a separation for those who have access to the technology and those who will be left behind. What we are doing at USD is ensuring we are supporting access.”

President James T. Harris speaks during The New York Times Dealbook Summit on December 3. 
Credit: Nicole Craine, The New York Times

Harris noted the importance of providing access and the responsibility of universities to be welcoming places to students of all economic backgrounds. He underscored the need to create opportunities for all students to engage in high-impact practices like study abroad and research to enhance their college experiences and prepare for an ever-changing world.

In addition to Harris from USD, the conversation also included presidents and chancellors from Dartmouth College, Johns Hopkins University, Oberlin College, the State University of New York (SUNY) system, Stanford University and Vanderbilt University.

Watch the conversation on the New York Times website. 

— USD News Center