Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JANUARY 12, 2026 39 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK | MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY OUTLOOK | HIGHER EDUCATION Quinnipiac University President Marie Hardin on the Hamden school's main campus. HBJ Photo | Michael Puffer Workforce Pressures Colleges revamp programs, expand employer ties and integrate AI as CT grapples with labor shortages, enrollment declines By Andrew Larson alarson@hartfordbusiness.com C onnecticut's higher education institutions are reshaping their academic programs and forging deeper industry partnerships as they confront a dual challenge in 2026: persistent workforce shortages across key sectors and declining enrollment driven by demographic shifts. Leaders from the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University and Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business say they are adjusting programs to meet economic demands by incorporating artificial intelligence into coursework, expanding employer apprenticeship partnerships and demonstrating clearer returns on investment to skep- tical students and families. The shift comes as Connecticut businesses struggle to fill positions, particularly in health care, technology and advanced manufacturing. "Wage expectation mismatches and the state's high cost of living make the matter even worse," said Zhan Li, dean of Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business. At the same time, colleges face what Quinnipiac University President Marie Hardin called "national enroll- ment pressures driven by declining high school populations and fluctu- ating international enrollment." A recent analysis by the National College Attainment Network found that college enrollments declined by an average of 5% in fall 2024 compared with fall 2023. Four-year universities saw declines of more than 6% between 2023 and 2024, the study found, though less expensive public two-year colleges saw lower drops. Further, a fall 2025 survey of 828 U.S. institutions showed a 17% drop in new international enrollments — the largest single-year decrease since the pandemic, according to the Radenka Maric Zhan Li Institute of International Education. Among the reasons institutions cited were visa processing delays/ denials, travel restrictions and a challenging sociopolitical climate, in which international students report feeling unwelcome in the U.S. The drop-off is significant because international students typically pay full tuition and serve as a major revenue source for colleges facing stagnant domestic enrollment. Workforce development Many colleges are expanding partnerships with employers to align academic programs with Connecti- cut's workforce needs. UConn will release new strategic plans in early 2026 for its regional campuses in Hartford, Stamford, Waterbury and Avery Point, said President Radenka Maric. The plans will outline resource and invest- ment priorities aimed at supporting local workforce needs. The university says it retains about three-quarters of its graduates in Connecticut for in-state employment in a typical year. It is also expanding its healthcare presence through UConn Health's planned acquisition of Waterbury Hospital and poten- tial deals involving Bristol and Day Kimball hospitals. Quinnipiac, Hardin said, is expanding its partnership with Hart- ford HealthCare to increase clinical training opportunities and help address Connecticut's shortage of primary care physicians, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The university collaborates with employers across health care, finance, technology, media, engi- neering and manufacturing sectors to provide internships, clinical place- ments and apprenticeships. At Fairfield, customized programs like a data analytics apprenticeship with Synchrony Financial allow companies to "co-develop and secure the needed talent," Li said. The school has enlisted industry professionals to serve on advisory councils in finance, analytics and marketing, providing input on curriculum needs and emerging trends, he said. AI integration Schools are also working to prepare students for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Quinnipiac is incorporating AI-related instruction — including literacy, ethics, data analytics and emerging technolo- gies — across disciplines ranging from business analytics and cybersecurity to engineering, public relations and health sciences, Hardin said. Students can access applied training through the School of Computing & Engineering and the M&T Bank Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, where coursework includes AI tools and project-based problem-solving. Hardin said employer advisory boards provide feedback to keep programs aligned with workforce needs, and the university offers certificate and micro-credential options for students seeking additional skills. Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business is adding AI-focused material to introductory courses across busi- ness disciplines and is launching new offerings, including an applied AI major and minor, an MBA concentration in AI, and a master's degree in artificial intelligence and analytics. Li said the moves respond to wide- spread business uncertainty, noting that 73% of companies without AI She and other employers will be looking to see how legislators balance social priorities with economic realities. "Decisions on taxation, labor laws and benefits directly influence competitiveness and job growth," she said. Key among those costs is health care. Beekley said she's glad to see that Gov. Ned Lamont has signaled that reducing healthcare costs will be a top priority in 2026 — a move that she said resonates deeply with businesses and employees alike. Beekley warns that health care will not become more affordable unless all stakeholders aim to control systemic costs — but without compromising quality and access. "I look forward to seeing what creative solutions policymakers will offer to address this complex issue," she said. Continued on next page

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