Redefining Rigor in Higher Ed

Why it matters Higher education has long equated “rigor” with more work—longer papers, harder tests, tighter schedules. But what if making college easier actually made it better*? In the second *It’s About Time conversation on “easier,” Chancellor David Andrews and Georgia State President M. Brian Blake explore how design, precision, and technology can raise outcomes without raising barriers. The big idea Dr. Blake argues that “easier” isn’t about lowering expectations—it’s about smarter systems that help students handle complexity, not avoid it. From shifting test timing to aligning instruction with real-world application, his approach reframes rigor as *precision*, not pressure. On AI and innovation Blake calls AI the new calculator—an essential tool that allows students and faculty to tackle bigger, more complex problems. “Shame on us,” he says, “if we ask the same questions using AI.” The goal isn’t less thinking; it’s *better thinking*. Pathways, not sorting Georgia State’s focus on pathways, not sorting, means meeting students where they are and guiding them toward success. “All students can be successful,” Blake notes. “When they’re not, it’s on us.” The takeaway Making higher ed “easier” is about removing friction—not standards. With the right design, tools, and mindsets, we can help learners move further, faster—and smarter.