# Ep. 72 - Michelle Craig: What Colleges Need to Know Before Gen Alpha Arrives

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065/ep-72-michelle-craig-what-colleges-need-to-know-before-gen-alpha-arrives
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065/ep-72-michelle-craig-what-colleges-need-to-know-before-gen-alpha-arrives.md
Podcast: [The Signal](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065)
Published: 2026-01-30T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://edtechconnect.castos.com/episodes/michelle-craig-what-colleges-need-to-know-before-gen-alpha-arrives
Audio file: https://episodes.castos.com/66cf7b74d67cb0-47099354/2318235/c1e-7o408f9dnz2hd2dnp-ww7z0k0jfonp-o950so.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-signal-7024065/episodes/ep-72-michelle-craig-what-colleges-need-to-know-before-gen-alpha-arrives
Duration seconds: 1898

## Resource

Jeff Dillon sits down with Michelle Craig, Director of Marketing and Commercial Operations at AppsAnywhere, to explore the seismic shifts happening in higher education as Generation Alpha prepares to enter college. With two decades of experience at companies like Blackboard, QS Unisolution, and Job Teaser, Michelle shares insights from her groundbreaking research into Gen Alpha—students born between 2010 and 2025. They discuss how this "Generation AI" is already using tools like ChatGPT, why 56% expect hybrid learning to be the norm, and the critical challenges institutions face around equity, access, and digital transformation. From rethinking IT strategy to marketing in the EdTech space, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone preparing for the future of student success. Key Takeaways Generation Alpha is “Generation AI” – The first Gen Alpha students will enter higher ed in 2028. Born alongside the iPad and Siri, they are early adopters of AI, with 73% already using or planning to use AI tools. However, they are also acutely aware of tech's downsides, with 72% worried about online safety and data security. Hybrid Learning is the New Baseline – 56% of Gen Alpha believes higher education should be offered in a hybrid format. They expect flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere, driven by personal circumstances like work schedules and the normalization of remote environments. Tech Equity is a Defining Challenge – 96% of Gen Alpha expects institutions to provide the devices and software needed to succeed. Equity isn't just an ideal—it's an operational necessity. Institutions must centralize IT, use data to optimize resources, and ensure access is agnostic of device or location. Institutions Must Set Clear AI Guidelines – With AI use already common in K-12, colleges n…

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## Transcript

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