WEBINAR RESOURCES

5 Emerging Programs
to Watch in 2026

Each year, our Emerging Programs session sparks new ideas, new conversations, and new possibilities for institutions across the country. We’ve dug into the data, tracked new trends, and closely watched the shifts that matter most. Now we’re excited to reveal the five programs that stand out for the year ahead.

DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES

2026 Emerging Programs:

AI Infrastructure:
AI infrastructure build-out drives massive $5.2T investment by 2030, creating a skilled trades crunch requiring 499k new workers in 2026.

Longevity:
AI infrastructure build-out drives massive $5.2T investment by 2030, creating a skilled trades crunch requiring 499k new workers in 2026.

Physical AI:
AI infrastructure build-out drives massive $5.2T investment by 2030, creating a skilled trades crunch requiring 499k new workers in 2026.

Unplugged:
AI infrastructure build-out drives massive $5.2T investment by 2030, creating a skilled trades crunch requiring 499k new workers in 2026.

AI In Education:
AI infrastructure build-out drives massive $5.2T investment by 2030, creating a skilled trades crunch requiring 499k new workers in 2026.

Bonus: Where Are They Now?
AI infrastructure build-out drives massive $5.2T investment by 2030, creating a skilled trades crunch requiring 499k new workers in 2026.

DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES

Watch the Full-Length Webinar

...or dive directly into program specifics

Read About Our Predictions & Insights:

An AI Infrastructure Boom Fueling Opportunities for Higher Education

AI is not just reshaping classrooms and careers, it is reshaping the physical world. A historic surge in data center construction is driving new energy demands, workforce shortages, and emerging academic opportunities that few institutions are fully prepared for. The question is not whether this infrastructure moment will impact higher education, but how quickly you will respond.

Read More

The Proof is in the Portfolio: How Emerging Academic Programs Became Today’s Enrollment Drivers

As institutions look ahead to 2026, emerging academic programs have become essential to enrollment stability and growth. The programs gaining momentum, from Creative AI and Data Analytics to health, sustainability, and the creator economy, reveal important lessons about timing, risk, and return. Grounded in real enrollment data and institutional examples, these insights show how high-impact programs often emerge by reusing existing assets and why acting early can make a measurable difference.

Read More

Mars: The Next Leap for Humankind

Mars is no longer just the stuff of science fiction—it’s emerging as the next grand challenge for humanity, demanding expertise far beyond rocket science. From sustainable life-support systems to interplanetary law and supply chain logistics, preparing for a future on the Red Planet calls for a truly multidisciplinary approach. With universities already launching innovative programs in space exploration, planetary science, and even Martian community simulations, the groundwork for our next giant leap is already underway.

Read More

Computational Social Science: Understanding and Shaping Our Digital World

With billions of users worldwide, social media has become a powerful force shaping how people communicate, form relationships, and engage with the world. Computational Social Science (CSS) uses data and advanced analytical tools to uncover the deeper impacts of this digital behavior—from shifts in public opinion to the spread of misinformation. Explore how CSS is being applied in real-world contexts, the growing demand for expertise in the field, and how new academic programs are preparing students to lead in an increasingly data-informed society.

Read More

Additional Resources

We hope you enjoy these post-webinar resources! Download the complete presentation slides below. If you are interested in learning more about the emerging programs we covered, please reach out to us at info@graydi.us.

DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES