For most industries the COVID-19 global pandemic will have a profound differentiating impact, accelerating and stimulating some (e.g. online retail and streaming media), while depressing others (restaurants and cinemas). So it will be with the higher education industry.

What impacts higher ed will impact our economic recovery. Not only does the industry account for 2.5% of GDP, but it is a critical determinant of individual recovery. Looking to the Great Recession of 2008-09, over 95% of the jobs created post-crisis went to workers with at least some college education and those with a college degree rebounded from the recession sooner.