The Coming Wave: Generation Alpha Student Life Needs

BHDP recently attended the Appalachian College Association’s (ACA) 2025 Summit in Knoxville, TN, where faculty, staff, and administrators from private institutions across Central Appalachia gathered to share best practices and explore innovative solutions in higher education. The Summit centered on AI, generational shifts, student engagement, and strategies for reaching today’s—and tomorrow’s—students.

As part of the Summit, BHDP presented findings from its 18-month research initiative on Generation Alpha—the next wave of students projected to enter higher education in just four years. Led by Michael Garvey (Client Leader, Higher Education) and Alejandro J. Medina (Client Leader, Higher Education), the session outlined key generational characteristics and design implications that institutions must consider to remain relevant and responsive.

Who Is Generation Alpha?

Born approximately between 2013 and 2025, Generation Alpha represents a cohort raised by Millennials and shaped by the digital revolution and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. BHDP’s research identified three defining traits of this generation:

• Together Alone: They are a social cohort that prefers smaller groups over large crowds.
• Holistic Growth: Prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional well-being and growth will likely be central to how they engage with the world.
• Social Equitability: Unlike previous generations that fought for social justice reform, this generation will grow up in a world where that reform has been normalized and widely accepted.

These insights provide a lens through which colleges and universities can anticipate student needs and begin adapting campus environments today.

Designing for a New Generation: Key Campus Considerations

In the session, BHDP presented six critical categories institutions must address to support Generation Alpha’s unique expectations and learning preferences:

• Technology
• Study-Life Balance
• Together Alone Spaces
• Social Equitability
• Independent and Communal Residence Life
• Holistic Wellness and Personal Growth (For more information, read our blog post: Beyond Academics: The Importance of Holistic Wellness and Personal Growth in Higher Education).

BHDP’s full findings are available in the white paper: Designing for the Future: Meeting Generation Alpha’s Student Life Needs in Higher Education. This research provides practical insights for higher education leaders, planners, and designers as they begin to reimagine campus life for the next generation of learners.

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Are you preparing your campus for Generation Alpha?

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