I am writing for the first time as managing director of Ithaka S+R to share how we are sharpening our focus and strengthening our efforts at this consequential moment for postsecondary education.

Colleges and universities are navigating financial strain, demographic shifts, political scrutiny, rapid technological change, and increasing policy volatility at both the federal and state levels. Research universities face uncertainty in funding and policy environments, and state leaders are asking urgent questions about affordability, workforce alignment, and outcomes.

These realities underscore the importance of disciplined inquiry, sound strategy, and thoughtful innovation. They also reinforce our confidence that meaningful progress is possible when these elements come together, coupled with the resilience of institutions and leaders who continue to adapt, collaborate, and innovate under pressure.

At Ithaka S+R, we work with leaders and policymakers to expand access to postsecondary education, improve student and workforce outcomes, and strengthen the systems that sustain scholarship and knowledge creation. We do this by providing strategic advice, conducting rigorous research, evaluating initiatives, and developing and sustaining nonprofit tools and services. By integrating research expertise, deep engagement with our community, and product design, we translate evidence into practical solutions—helping leaders move from analysis to action and from insight to durable innovation.

Through this approach, we have supported more than 100 institutions as they navigate responsible AI adoption; convened state and system leaders to organize concrete initiatives and build tools that strengthen credit mobility and support credential attainment for working adults; advanced progress on Pell enrollment and postsecondary value through initiatives such as the American Talent Initiative and research on the economic impact of the liberal arts; and helped research and library leaders respond to shifting funding and policy environments.

Our work is led by an exceptional team

Mark McBride, senior director, leads our work in Academic Mission, strengthening teaching and learning, the research enterprise, and libraries and scholarly communication. Mark partners with presidents, provosts, research leaders, and library directors to navigate responsible AI adoption, evolving research practices, and shifting funding environments. He also oversees our Justice Initiatives team, which expands access to higher education and knowledge for incarcerated learners and supports reentry pathways.

Elizabeth Davidson Pisacreta, senior director and head of strategy, leads our work in Educational Transformation, advancing access and attainment, strengthening postsecondary value and public trust, and improving credit mobility and workforce alignment. Liz works closely with state systems, institutions, and national partners to illuminate barriers, test innovations, and support implementation at scale. She also oversees our cross-functional research and evaluation efforts, ensuring that our work is grounded in strong methodology and measurable impact.

Alex Humphreys, vice president for innovation, leads ITHAKA Labs, where research insights are developed into sustainable nonprofit services. Under Alex’s leadership, ITHAKA Labs develops and scales tools such as Transfer Explorer, which helps students understand how their credits apply to degree pathways, and JSTOR Access in Prison, which expands access to academic resources for incarcerated learners. By integrating design, engineering, and close collaboration with institutional and state partners, ITHAKA Labs ensures that innovation is mission-aligned and built for long-term impact.

Thank you for the partnership many of you have already shared with us. If our work can be useful to your efforts, I would welcome the opportunity to connect or reconnect.

Higher education and research matter profoundly to individual opportunity and societal wellbeing. In moments of uncertainty, their role becomes even more essential. I am confident that together we can strengthen institutions and expand opportunity in lasting ways.