In the end, then, the rise of Taylor Swift on campus makes me more hopeful than ever before that colleges and universities can indeed better position themselves and their programs as not just more attractive and interesting to future students but make what they offer more relevant and meaningful to them. In a fast-changing world, where all universities are really competing with one another, regardless of their physical location, for the eyeballs and dollars of prospective students, being “that university” that offers classes — and maybe a whole program — focused on popular topics will make that college stand out and yes, make it more marketable! A wise man once said that “the answer to all your questions is money,” and yes, colleges and universities that not just embrace the Swifties, but the Taylor Swift idea for classes, will draw in more students — and with them, more tuition dollars! That is the bottom line in all of this!
David C. Wyld
