Innovation is shaping the future in all areas of academia. Interdisciplinary collaboration is being encouraged and supported, thereby empowering faculty with autonomy and resources. 

Innovation also inspires groundbreaking research, and this knowledge is being shared across multiple disciplines.

Dr. Jack Thomas explains that for Institutions to remain relevant and competitive, they must have leaders committed to change, innovation, and forward-moving program strategies that will shape the future of higher education- one institution at a time. 

These forward-thinking administrators must be committed to prioritizing personalized education and fostering holistic growth, thereby improving the student experience through technology, data analytics, and learner-centered approaches. 

As we look at innovators in athletics, we cannot help but look at how Deion Sanders, Head Football Coach for the University of Colorado Buffaloes, has transformed his opportunity to lead two collegiate sports organizations and garner early success and attention from the sports world and beyond through his bold coaching strategies, personal brand, and national marketing.

Sanders, as a professional athlete, understood the value and power of marketing and branding through his on-field success in multiple professional sports and using his captivating persona to build a successful and widely known personal brand. We can see the effects of his personal brand on the success and exposure of two prominent institutions: Jackson State University and now the University of Colorado. Deion Sanders has been a force in 1) enhancing the media and public relations activities for both universities, resulting in an expansion of the national university profile and community recognition; 2) placing a specific emphasis on mentorship and guidance of student-athletes; and 3) leveraging his influence to attract high-caliber recruits to enhance the athletic profile of the institution.

Dr. Jack Thomas shares a recent article, The Coach Prime Roadshow made its grand entrance into Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday, and the overwhelming turnout of spectators at Mountain America Stadium is a clear testament to the unwavering interest and fascination surrounding Deion Sanders’ remarkable transformation of the Colorado Buffaloes program.

A staggering 54,086 passionate fans flocked to witness the exhilarating clash between Colorado and Arizona State, which culminated in a nail-biting 27-24 victory for the Buffaloes, snatched in the final seconds of the game. This remarkable feat marks the sixth consecutive sellout crowd that Colorado has attracted, whether playing at home or on the road. It is truly a remarkable turnaround for a team that endured a dismal 1-11 record last season, a program that was once shunned by spectators.

The Sun Devils orchestrated a remarkable drive, traversing the entire length of the field to secure an improbable game-tying touchdown. However, Colorado swiftly retaliated, sealing their victory with a game-winning field goal, leaving a mere 12 seconds on the clock.

The atmosphere within the stadium was nothing short of electric, with the crowd fervently rallying behind their respective teams. It was a sight to behold as the stadium reverberated with the thunderous cheers and chants of the passionate supporters. Arizona State, a team that had previously sold out games against formidable opponents such as USC and rival Arizona, may even witness a sold-out stadium for their upcoming clash against Oregon. This, however, was an unprecedented occurrence for Colorado, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards reclaiming their former glory.

The Coach Prime Roadshow has undeniably breathed new life into the Colorado Buffaloes’ program, captivating the hearts and minds of fans who were once disinterested. With each passing game, the team’s resurgence becomes more evident.

“Colorado has never produced, to my knowledge, a sellout in this stadium in the time I’ve been here,” said Anderson, who became the ASU athletics director in 2014. “What does that tell you? That tells you that everybody wins because we’ll sell more concessions. We’ll sell more hot dogs, we’ll sell more water, we’ll sell more beer. There’ll be more people paying for parking. That’s good for everybody. That’s community impact that we realize is important. You got to give Deion credit.”

It is clear that in order for higher educational Institutions to remain relevant, competitive, and on the cutting edge, the leadership must champion change, innovation, and bold visionary ideas. 

This kind of support will help to successfully shape the future of higher education- one institution at a time.