In this special feature, Adelphi faculty experts from across our schools and colleges lay out their predictions for the new year.
As 2026 gets off to a start, the global landscape stands at a crossroads where rapid technological acceleration meets deep-seated human institutions. The “new normal” is now a complex reality with high stakes and even higher uncertainty.
At Adelphi University, our faculty and academic leaders—experts in their fields—are looking beyond the immediate horizon to analyze how forces like artificial intelligence, shifting economic policies and evolving social priorities will reshape our lives in 2026. They explore a year defined by risks and opportunities—ranging from the World Cup arriving in North America to the launch of the landmark Workforce Pell Grant program.
Our experts offer a framework for navigating 2026 not with fear, but with purpose.
The Economy and Workforce
Robert Goldberg, James F. Bender Clinical Professor of Finance
As I write this note at the start of December, we can reflect on an extraordinary period since the word COVID entered the lexicon. Stock prices have doubled and home prices have risen more than 50 percent, both driven by a Fed-induced increase in the money supply of nearly 50 percent. Meanwhile, prices for goods and services are up an average of 25 percent, while real median income has barely changed.
Looking ahead, 2026 will be driven by the continuing battle between those who believe AI will change the world and those who think it is simply the next stage of the digital revolution: impressive, but no more so than the computer, internet and wireless communication. More importantly, this debate is occurring against a backdrop of a heavily indebted country at the government and individual level and increasingly at the corporate level, as businesses continue to borrow heavily to build out the infrastructure for the AI boom, with presumptive confidence that all these investments will pay out.
Equally important, interest rates have re-normalized following the low-rate regime managed by the central bank after the financial crisis. A return to significantly lower rates would take a seriously weakened economy and, even then, it would face the likely hurdles of a belligerent bond market. Add to the mix the uncertainties of tariff and immigration policies, and the outlook for stocks is sobering, unless you believe AI will change the world and the current set of players will be the winners.
Finance and Economics
Mariano Torras, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Finance and Economics
Economic stagnation is likely to continue in 2026—possibly even stagflation if accompanied by a meaningful increase in average prices. Stocks may extend their gains for a bit longer, but Main Street will fall further behind. If consumer spending were to increase in 2026, most of the gain would be courtesy of the richest 10 percent; recent consumer surveys reflect great pessimism and there is likely to be retrenchment from the other 90 percent.
The unemployment rate is likely to remain low. But the statistics will continue to overstate the health of the job market, since a shrinking labor force (owing to the growing army of retirees and “dropouts”) helps keep unemployment low. Many, moreover, who remain in the labor force hold tenuous, insecure jobs. Finally, a major stock correction, which is probably at least 40 percent likely next year, might raise the unemployment rate by delaying retirement for many.
While interest rates are likely to move much higher in the medium to long term due to structural factors, they are almost certain to fall modestly in the near term because of the liquidity imperative for the financial markets.
Inflation is a tougher call. On the one hand, tariffs, further Fed accommodation and continued increases in service costs suggest inflation. In contrast, growing pessimism and possible consumer belt-tightening, as well as continued stagnation, signal disinflation.
Continued growth in the deficit and the debt is virtually guaranteed, as the destabilizing effects of continued weakness in the U.S. trade balance and in domestic investment will need to be offset. Yet by putting upward pressure on interest rates, the growing deficit will counter the Fed’s efforts to accommodate, creating greater imbalances (adding to the uncertainty about inflation).
Finally, and most important, expect at least one “black swan” event related to geopolitics, climate, finance, public health or AI in 2026—which will make the above outlook seem unduly optimistic.
The Workforce Pell
Jennifer Lancaster, PhD, Dean, College of Professional and Continuing Studies, and Executive Director, Manhattan Center
The launch of the Workforce Pell Grant program in 2026 is a potentially transformative development for access to post-secondary training. Under the new law, starting July 1, 2026, Pell grant aid will become available not only to degree-granting college programs, but also to short-term credential and workforce training programs. This expansion will likely allow broader access to in-demand jobs, more flexible and inclusive pathways and a potential boost to workforce and economic mobility. For many individuals, the time and cost of a four-year degree is a barrier; the Workforce Pell makes it more feasible for folks to enter employment more quickly in fields like healthcare, IT, trades and other ‘high-skill, high-wage’ jobs and expanding what post-secondary success can look like. The program will especially benefit adult learners, career-changers and others needing to balance work and life responsibilities with education.
While negotiations are still under way as to the official requirements, as of now, eligible programs must show that at least 70 percent of students complete the programs and 70 percent of those students get placed in a related job. The tuition for these programs must be less than the difference between the median salary of completers and 150 percent of the national poverty line. It will be up to each state’s education and labor departments via the governors to determine what constitutes a need-based credential for the state; at this time, New York has yet to determine which types of programs would be eligible under the program. Still, most folks agree that if properly administered, the Workforce Pell could mark a major shift in U.S. higher-education policy—reframing education not only as a credential-only process, but as an accelerator toward employment, skills development and upward mobility for a broader cross-section of Americans.
Health and Wellness
K.C. Rondello, MD, Clinical Professor of Public Health
With the United States on the precipice of losing our “measles elimination” status (for the first time since the hard-fought milestone was achieved in 2000), the disease is expected to remain a major public health concern. Modeling suggests that measles could become endemic in the United States within two decades if current trends persist. Global immunization efforts will continue to be under strain due to misinformation, humanitarian crises, anti-vax policy changes and funding cuts, leaving millions at risk. The World Health Organization, UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance all warn that decades of progress could be undone without renewed investment in vaccination campaigns.
Furthermore, global health agencies warn that declining immunization coverage could fuel outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases as well. Epidemics of rubella, polio and diphtheria are less likely, but may cause localized “hot spots” if vaccination rates continue to fall.
Sporadic outbreaks, particularly in under-vaccinated regions, could overwhelm pediatric and emergency services. The unnecessary hospitalizations and expanded public health interventions required to address them will carry significant costs. Vulnerable populations, particularly those in areas with weak health infrastructure, will be disproportionately affected. The good news? Even modest increases in vaccine coverage could dramatically reduce incidence. And with new vaccine delivery methods on the horizon (e.g., microneedle patches), improved technology may increase immunization uptake if widely adopted.
In summary, 2026 will be a pivotal year for infectious disease control. Without decisive action, measles could entrench itself as a recurring threat, signaling a broader rollback in vaccine-preventable disease progress. Stronger vaccination advocacy, policy measures and global cooperation will be essential to prevent a full-scale resurgence.
Psychology
J. Christopher Muran, PhD, Dean, Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology
As we enter the year ahead, artificial intelligence continues its rapid integration into mental health settings—generating curiosity and concern. We will see further advances in AI-driven diagnostics, change measurement and conversational agents offering scalable support. These advances will offer greater reliability and greater accessibility. But as virtual care platforms proliferate and digital relationships become normalized, we must also ask: What remains uniquely human in therapeutic work?
My prediction is this: The more AI advances, the more the profession of psychology will need to clarify the value of human presence—including the ability of AI to replicate it. As research has revealed, therapy does not solely rely on frictionless conversations, but in moments of messiness (as are inherent in human relations). It is in this negotiation where one can develop the skills to be effective and connected—where profound change can take root. Looking forward, we will need to invest in understanding where AI can take us in this regard.
Parenting
Naama Gershy Tsahor, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology
When parents hear that I study adolescents and digital media, they often ask, “Is it dangerous for my child to spend so much time on screens?” I find myself torn between the desire to be helpful and the reality that, as a field, we still do not know the long-term implications of children’s digital media use.
Digital media feels like it has been around for a long time, but in research terms, it is still a relatively new field. Heading into 2026, we still do not have a clear consensus on what “screen time” means. The nature of digital media has changed dramatically since we began studying it, from living room television in early research to AI-driven tools like ChatGPT and virtual companions in just the past two years, challenging the relevance of what we learned decades ago.
So what can we tell parents in January 2026 that is both helpful and relevant, despite the little we know and the vast amount we don’t? (After all, we don’t want them to turn to ChatGPT for these answers.) We can acknowledge that technology is moving too fast for research to keep pace with. We can reassure parents that they are not alone in feeling uncertain and anxious. But most importantly, we can encourage parents to stop asking, “What harm is this doing to my child?” and instead ask, “What do I want to cultivate in my child?” This type of question may help parents to feel less pressured to find easy fixes to dramatic changes and look inside for the things that matter most to them, even in these chaotic times.
I predict that it will not be easy to ask these questions in 2026, which will likely continue to overwhelm us with rapid, dramatic changes. But I also hope that this new year brings opportunities to reflect on these important shifts without giving in to fear or feeling paralyzed by the unknown.
Sports
Greg Bouris, Assistant Teaching Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
If anyone thinks they have a handle on what the new year has in store in the sports industry, I will counter that it is trending toward a tumultuous and unpredictable year ahead.
In 2026…
The World Cup is coming to North America! Is North America prepared to host a controversy-free World Cup in an immigration-sensitive, post-9/11 and post-COVID-19 era? As I learned during my 35-year professional sports career, hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
NCAA DI football is a ticking time bomb! It’s been ticking for more than 25 years, but I think it might finally explode in 2026! Utah opened the door to private equity. Next? I predict the elite football programs will have an opt-in program that allows willing institutions to privatize. That will lead to the much-needed unionization of college football players. That is a net-positive for all parties.
Tick…tick…tick! This time, it’s legalized sports betting and professional sports. In 2026, professional leagues and, more importantly, team owners, will have to go all in or all out on sports betting. No more gray area. I’m hoping they will go all out, but I think they will go all in. Too many owners have already played their hands by taking ownership stakes in gambling operations and/or casinos. Can we see a future where fans have to be 18 or older to attend a game?
Make room for the ladies! Women’s sports are continuing to enjoy tremendous growth, as measured by major sport-business metrics: TV ratings, sponsorship revenue, attendance and merchandise. I don’t see it stopping in 2026, but I do see some hiccups along the way. Now that women have emerged from the shadow of men’s sports, they get to see the dark underbelly of the industry. Collective bargaining is not for the faint of heart, and the women may have to endure some pain before they make gains, just as their male counterparts have for decades.
Lastly, Major League Baseball is on fire! The sport is back. Unfortunately, signs are pointing to a work stoppage at the conclusion of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. That would be too bad, but, in the vernacular of the times, I bet the game shuts down in December 2026.
Hey, there’s always 2027!
Higher Education
Chris Storm, PhD, Interim President
The nationwide higher education landscape presents significant opportunities and challenges. New federal student aid borrowing limits taking effect in 2026 will reshape college financing, with graduate students facing annual caps and the elimination of Grad PLUS loans. While it remains to be seen, graduate programs with a strong value proposition, such as those at Adelphi University, may become more attractive as prospective students reconcile with changes in the amount of federal aid available to further their studies. Enrollment competition will intensify as demographic shifts reduce the traditional college-age population and immigration policies create uncertainty for international students—vital contributors to campus diversity and institutional strength.
These trends make our strategic planning even more critical. By expanding access through our new state-of-the-art Manhattan Center and additional online programs, prioritizing career outcomes and student success, maintaining our personalized support for students at every level of their journey, and demonstrating strong fiscal responsibility—as reaffirmed by S&P Global’s A- credit rating and stable outlook for Adelphi—we are positioned to thrive this year and beyond.
Communications
Mark Grabowski, JD, Professor and Chair, Department of Communications
Institutions shaping knowledge and trust—universities and the media—faced a harsh reckoning in 2025. In 2026, we’ll see which ones actually learned from it.
The crisis was never about politics or technology. It was about purpose.
Universities forgot they exist to prepare minds for uncertainty, not protect them from it. The media forgot their job is to help citizens think, not dictate what to think. Both demanded deference to authority they no longer monopolize.
2026 forces a choice: In a world of infinite information, contested expertise and AI-enabled execution, what justifies their existence?
Survivors will admit the old bargain is broken and build value around judgment, resilience and earned trust.
Laggards will cling to “trust us because we’re the experts” long after the public demands “show us why.” Most students sense this disconnect: going into debt to learn from professors who secured tenure in a system that no longer exists, preparing for careers those same professors couldn’t get today.
External forces—AI disruption, U.S.–China fragmentation, Europe’s regulatory maximalism, intensifying political polarization—provide context, not cause.
The real question: Can institutions designed for scarcity still justify existence in an age of abundance? Most won’t even ask honestly. That’s why they’ll fail.
Research
Andrea Ward, PhD, Vice Provost for Research and Libraries
In 2026, it will be critical for academics to take their work to the broader community to demonstrate the importance of what we do both in the classroom and in our scholarly lives. Our faculty scholars do incredible work and I look forward to continuing to share their stories.
Research funding will depend a great deal on upcoming federal appropriations bills. However, we have already seen a strong move toward leveraging the power of AI in research and I expect that only to increase in the upcoming year as new research funding calls come out.
Business Professions
Ganesh Pandit, DBA, Professor and Chair, Department of Accounting and Law
We expect that business professions will continue to be affected by technology in 2026 and we are adjusting our curricula accordingly. For example, our reimagined BBA in Accounting will be requiring courses in data analytics using MS Excel and cybersecurity, adding a designated public accounting track that will meet New York state’s educational requirements for the new 120-credit pathway to the CPA licensure, and offering new tracks in corporate finance and information technology for those accounting students who wish to expand beyond the traditional accounting field. At the graduate level, the redesigned MS in Professional Accounting (which will launch once it is approved by the New York State Education Department) will be closely aligned with the new CPA Exam and will infuse advanced training in MS Excel and an introduction to Power BI to position it as a premier professional credential rather than merely a path to 150 credits.
Education
Xiao-Lei Wang, PhD, Dean, Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences
As we look toward 2026, the convergence of technology and human-centered learning will redefine the very nature of our work. AI-enhanced teaching will empower our faculty and students to drive meaningful transformation across education and health sciences. By leveraging these tools to bridge distances and deepen understanding, we can renew our commitment to student well-being and global connection. Our charge is to guide this innovation with purpose, ensuring that every technological advancement expands access and strengthens the communities we serve.
Nursing
Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12, Dean, College of Nursing and Public Health
The College of Nursing and Public Health (CNPH) has several major initiatives that we will continue to address in 2026, including the use of AI by faculty and students. Experts on AI will be brought in to speak and our newly created AI Task Force will take the lead on developing protocols in alignment with the University, providing valuable insight into the learning needs of our faculty and students in this rapidly evolving technology. Even so, 2026 will continue our focus on the humanistic approach to health and wellness with a strong focus on evidence-based practice, competency, self-care and resiliency.
With the need for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, in the New York City area, we are looking ahead to bringing CNPH programming to Manhattan with great enthusiasm. In May, we will welcome our inaugural cohort of our accelerated second degree nursing students (for students who have a BS degree in a related field) to the new Manhattan Center. We are also enrolling our first spring cohort of accelerated nursing students in the Garden City campus this January. The Manhattan Center’s Clinical Education and Simulation Lab is in development and we have been involved every step of the way. With a home base in Manhattan, our students will also have exceptional in-person clinical experiences at some of the best hospitals and healthcare systems in the country.
At our Manhattan location, we will replicate the exemplary nursing programs that we have at our Garden City campus and keep our finger on the pulse of healthcare and technology from a humanistic, ethical and caring perspective that is grounded in nursing science.
Social Work
Joanne Corbin, PhD, Dean, School of Social Work
The workforce need for social workers will continue to be strong in 2026, with a call for social workers in areas such as healthcare and mental health care, children and families, school social work, substance use and addiction services, and policy development. In-demand skills and expertise in the new year include integrated care, bilingualism, and digital and ethical practice.
To meet these needs, in 2026 we will continue to prepare graduates in areas of integrated health and mental health care through fellowships such as our IDEATE fellowship for interprofessional practice. This important collaboration between our School of Social Work, College of Nursing and Public Health and the Gerontology Fellowship prepare our students to enter the workforce in a range of practice contexts for older adults.
To meet the growing needs of our communities, our graduate programs, including the MSW in Bilingual School Social Work and the Post-Master’s Bilingual School Social Work Certificate Program, will offer opportunities for social workers to prepare for bilingual opportunities in the area of school social work. Also new in 2026, our curriculum will advance to include a certificate program in environmental justice that equips students to address the needs of populations and communities affected by environmental hazards. We’ll continue our efforts in the area of library social work, an emerging area of practice that supports the needs of individuals who come to public libraries searching for resources or information to address pressing life needs.