Designing for the Future: Meeting Generation Alpha's Student Life Needs in Higher Education
Introduction
It’s no surprise that over the years, what students desire in the classroom, in residence halls, and in the time between the two (often referred to as “student life”) has changed. Each generation of students brings shifting priorities, new technology, and fresh perspectives that impact the various experiences, activities, and responsibilities students engage in as they continue to develop their personal goals concurrent with their academic goals.
To better design higher education environments for students, BHDP created a predictive model for Generation Alpha’s future higher education needs, specifically focusing on student life in a residential campus setting. We identified personality factors that shaped past generations and then applied them to predict key traits of Generation Alpha that will potentially shape and define their higher education experience.
As the oldest members of Generation Alpha prepare to enter high school and define their educational path, universities should start planning for this emerging generation—right now.
Read and download the full white paper, "Designing for the Future: Meeting Generation Alpha's Student Life Needs in Higher Education."
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Author
Content Type
White Paper
Date
August 22, 2024
Market
Alejandro J. Medina, Senior Architect
Alejandro J. Medina is a Senior Project Architect on BHDP’s higher education team. With over 12 years of experience in higher education, government, public, and commercial environments, he has worked in all phases of project development, from programming and schematic design through construction documents and construction administration. He is focused on enhancing the student life experience, and his design influence and critical eye paired with his technical expertise allow him to execute amazing projects.
Dr. Justin Ferguson, Director of Applied Research
With nearly three decades of researching, teaching, and practicing community-engaged and organizational design and planning, Dr. Justin Ferguson brings both immense knowledge and enthusiasm to creating strategic and transformative environments. As Director of Applied Research, “Dr. J” seeks to uncover the challenges clients face with their organizational spaces, works with design teams to develop predictive design decision-making, and ultimately measures the efficacy of BHDP’s work. His extensive portfolio spans various markets across the U.S., including collaborations with major clients like the GSA and Fifth Third Bank, making him a unique asset to BHDP.