Stepping into the Spotlight? Regional Colleges as the USA’s Critical Hubs for Innovation

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Jeff Selingo, Special Advisor at ASU; Michael Sorrell, President at Paul Quinn College; Fernando Bleichmar, CEO at Risepoint; Jacob Fraire, President at ECMC Foundation; and Adela de la Torre, President at San Diego State University.

The session explored how the 400+ regional public colleges and universities in the United States—educating nearly 40% of all undergraduates and 70% of undergraduates at public, 4-year institutions—serve as critical drivers of workforce development, innovation, and economic mobility. While discussions on higher education innovation often focus on R1 flagships or well-funded elite institutions, the speakers highlighted how regional colleges are leading advancements in online education, flexible credentialing, and workforce-aligned learning. The panel examined how these institutions are uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs of today’s learners, employers, and communities at scale.