{"id":100545,"date":"2026-01-23T09:26:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcguirewoods.com\/?post_type=insight&p=100545"},"modified":"2026-01-23T09:27:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:27:40","slug":"higher-education-2025-in-focus-lessons-learned-and-the-2026-roadmap","status":"publish","type":"insight","link":"https:\/\/www.mcguirewoods.com\/client-resources\/publications\/2026\/1\/higher-education-2025-in-focus-lessons-learned-and-the-2026-roadmap\/","title":{"rendered":"Higher Education 2025 in Focus: Lessons Learned and the 2026 Roadmap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Higher education saw rapid change in 2025, with institutions managing shifting regulations and guidance, financial pressures and evolving campus climate issues. This includes changes to Title IX, collegiate athletics, cybersecurity, and discrimination and harassment priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the last year, our Higher Education team<\/a> partnered with institutions to translate these shifts into action \u2014 implementing new Title IX regulations; advising on athletics issues and structures; strengthening cybersecurity programs and incident response; and addressing discrimination, harassment and campus climate concerns. We represented clients in litigation and helped design compliant policies, advised on and conducted investigations, trained stakeholders, and mitigated litigation and reputational risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We invite you to explore our Year-in-Review<\/a> for a concise look at 2025\u2019s most consequential developments and practical insights drawn from our work helping colleges and universities navigate these challenges. The piece also previews what\u2019s next and how institutions can position themselves for a resilient 2026. Please read and share with your leadership, compliance, student affairs, HR and athletics teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n