Sept. 9, 2026

It Is a Demographic Hill, Not a Cliff - with Dr. Chuck Lloyd, Chancellor, Community College System of New Hampshire

Key Takeaways

Dr. Chuck Lloyd explains why the demographic challenge facing higher education should be viewed as a manageable hill rather than a catastrophic cliff.
The Community College System of New Hampshire strategically shifted away from a single college merger model in favor of a more effective alternative approach.
Targeted state investments, such as $17 million annually for five years, are directly addressing critical workforce shortages like the state's pressing need for thousands of new nurses.
Focusing on modest percentage increases in the college-going rate can yield better strategic results than fighting broad demographic declines.
Dr. Joe Sallustio and Dr. Chuck Lloyd explore innovative ways community colleges are staying relevant and driving student success.

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Chuck Lloyd, Chancellor, Community College System of New Hampshire

This episode, President Series #503, is powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠ - Higher Ed's AI-Enriched Platform!

This episode is sponsored by the InsightsEDU 2027 Conference - focused on attracting & retaining the modern learner - where we will be podcasting live from February 23-25 in Phoenix, AZ! Use code EDUP & save $100! Early-bird pricing ends December 15, 2026!

This episode is also sponsored by 2026 Arizona Community College Administrators Conference where we will be podcasting live from October 7-9 on the campus of Yavapai College!

This episode is brought to you by Beyond Survival: Reporting from the Front Lines of Higher Education’s War for Relevance is a documentary account from the front lines of the most consequential upheaval in higher ed in generations!

YOUR host is ⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Why did New Hampshire abandon the 1 college merger idea, & what replaced it?
If the college going rate sits near 60%, is moving it 3 points a better play than fighting the demographic cliff?
What does $17 million a year for 5 years buy when your state is 2,000 nurses short?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dr. Chuck Lloyd?

Dr. Chuck Lloyd is the Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire, leading innovation and strategic direction for the state's community colleges.

What did New Hampshire do instead of a single college merger?

Instead of pursuing a one-college merger idea, New Hampshire implemented alternative structural strategies to strengthen its community college system and better serve students.

How is New Hampshire addressing its nurse shortage through higher education?

The state is utilizing a $17 million annual investment over five years to directly fund programs that combat the 2,000-nurse shortage in New Hampshire.