Today, the Puget Sound Business Journal published an interview with Edmonds College President Amit Singh on the state of higher education. The article, which appeared on the front page with the headline “Edmonds College President Says Higher Education in US Needs Consolidation,” highlights Singh’s views on institutional survival, workforce alignment, and decision-making in higher education.
In the interview, Singh asserts that the U.S. has too many colleges and suggests that smaller institutions—particularly those not directly aligned with workforce needs—are unlikely to survive. He emphasizes that Edmonds College must remain “relevant” by adopting an “outside-in” approach, prioritizing the needs of employers and external stakeholders in decision-making rather than relying on traditional academic structures.
While Singh does not explicitly call for faculty reductions or directly challenge faculty unions, his comments signal a shift in institutional priorities that could have significant implications for faculty job security, academic program funding, and shared governance. Below is an analysis of the key concerns raised in the interview.
Key Concerns from the Interview
1. Narrative of “Too Many Colleges” and Potential for Consolidation
Singh argues that the U.S. has an excess of colleges and that those not aligned with economic needs will struggle:
“You know, my honest opinion is that the U.S. has too many colleges and universities—more than 4,000. … Some conversion has to happen because we simply have too many colleges.”
While he does not suggest that Edmonds College is at risk, this rhetoric aligns with national trends that use economic pressures to justify austerity measures in higher education. This could lead to budget cuts, program reductions, hiring freezes, or restructuring that negatively impacts faculty. Faculty unions must remain vigilant in ensuring that consolidation efforts do not lead to reductions in academic freedom, tenure protections, or shared governance.
2. Shift Toward Employer-Driven Education
Singh emphasizes aligning the college’s priorities with employer and workforce needs:
“I always say that our vision is to stay relevant. … Staying relevant really means an outside-in approach. What do people need? Because that’s why you’re here—to serve.”
While workforce preparation is a key function of community and technical colleges, prioritizing employer demands over academic integrity poses risks. Programs without immediate job-market applicability—whether in the humanities, social sciences, or emerging fields—could face funding cuts or de-emphasis in favor of high-growth industries. Faculty must advocate for a balanced curriculum that serves students beyond short-term labor market trends.
3. Governance: “Outside-In” vs. Faculty-Led Decision Making
Singh describes leadership in higher education as navigating uncertainty, with an emphasis on adaptability:
“The environment is going to be unpredictable and keep changing because of demographics, technology, all the things happening around us. … Leaders have to be comfortable with uncertainty.”
This perspective, while pragmatic, risks sidelining faculty in academic decision-making. If faculty governance structures are weakened in favor of administrative or employer-driven priorities, faculty could see diminished influence over curriculum, program funding, and institutional policies. Protecting shared governance is crucial to maintaining academic integrity and job security.
Closing Thoughts and Union Strategy Moving Forward
While Singh does not directly call for faculty reductions or the elimination of programs, his remarks suggest an ongoing shift toward market-driven education models. If unchecked, this could lead to:
- Greater reliance on contingent faculty over full-time, tenure-track positions
- Program cuts based on short-term industry needs rather than long-term educational value
- Increased administrative control over curriculum and faculty workloads
Moving forward, faculty unions must:
- Monitor local and state policies that push for institutional consolidation or program reductions
- Advocate for shared governance and faculty-led decision-making
- Defend tenure and full-time faculty positions against increasing reliance on precarious employment models
- Strengthen collaboration with unions statewide to resist workforce-driven education models that diminish faculty autonomy
This interview underscores the broader trend of framing higher education as an economic commodity rather than a public good. As faculty, we must continue pushing back against this narrative, advocating for faculty protections, and ensuring that student-centered education remains a priority.
I welcome your thoughts on these issues and look forward to discussing how we can collectively address them at the institutional, state, and national levels.
Scott Haddock
Faculty Union President
Edmonds College Federation of Teachers
VP Legal Defense, AFT Washington
Pasion, N. (2025, January 31). Edmonds College president says higher education in US needs consolidation. Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved from https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2025/01/31/edmonds-college-president-amit-singh.html