We are in a period where uncertainty is great and historical trends may shift. These are the circumstances were using scenarios are very useful. They make think about different possible futures, using short stories that are plausible. A short summary of this was published in July 2009 by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania as "Eyes Wide Open: Embracing Uncertainty through Scenario Planning".

Arizona Higher Education

Two Scenarios for the University of Arizona in 2025
Written in January 2009, this begins by listing the then current vision statements of the Arizona Board of Regents, ASU, NAU, and UA. Titles include 1) Celebrating Tradition, and 2) Organizational Metamorphosis. (4 pages).

Six Scenarios for Arizona Universities in 2010
Written in 2001 with input from Arizona Board of Regent's Staff. Titles include: 1) Harvard Opens Branch Campus in Scottsdale Arizona, 2) Fighting for Control of Arizona Higher Education, 3) Arizona Diversifies its Politics and Moves to the Center, 4) Resources Matter: Paying Attention to Mother Nature, 5) Arizona Regents University: The Integrated Virtual Approach, and 6) Universities Transformed: Can it be done? (10 pages).

U.S. Higher Education

Four Scenarios from University of California for 2025
Part of the 2006 study titled "UC 2025: The Power and Promise of Ten". Titles include: 1) Beyond the Tipping Point", Virtuous Circle", UC POlytechnic", and "Complementary Campuses". Written in 2006 (1 page).

Seven Scenarios from the Higher Education Project
From a 2004 book by Frank Newman "The Future of Higher Education". Titles are: 1) Dwindling Hope: Merit Aid Widens the Gap, 2) The Rise of the Consortia, 3) New Providers Help Build a Skilled Workforce, 4) Raising the Bar: AP-16 System Aligns Standards, 5) The US-Mexico Case, 6) Contracting for Accountability, and 7) In Search of the New Economy: Encouraging Private Competitors to Fill the Demand for Skills. (2 pages).

Eight Scenarios for the University of Michigan
From the report by James Duderstadt "A Choice of Transformations for the 21st-Century University. Titles include: World University, Diverse University, Creative University, Divisionless University, Cyberspace University, Adult University, Ubiquitous University, Lifelong University, and Laboratory University. Written in 1999 (3 pages). Part of a book "A University for the 21st Century", published in 2000.

Map of Future Forces Affecting Education
Forces on 2020 and while it began in 2006 it continues with interactive development. Jointly developed by the Knowledgeworks Foundation and the Institute of the Future (uses the IFTF Map of the Decade for Education). Focused on K-12 but applicable to Higher Education. Formal scenarios are not developed by the "map" provides issues and rationale so you can essentially make your own map, that emphasizes the areas you want to emphasize - then do it again with different assumptions and soon you have scenarios.

European Higher Education

The Future of the Tertiary Education Sector:
Six OECD Scenarios for a Learning Society. The titles are: 1) Tradition, 2) Entrepreneurial Universities, 3) Free Market, 4) Lifelong Learning and Open Education, 5) Global Network of Institutions, and 6) Diversity of Recognized Learning. (Note: The U.S. is one of the 30 member countries of the OECD). Written in 2003 (2 pages)

Four Scenarios from OECD (for 2030)
These have extensive analysis for each, including key drivers, related developments, and questions. Titles are 1) Open Networking, 2) Serving Local Communities, 3) New Public Responsibility, and 4) Higher Education, Inc. Written in 2006. (7 pages).

Six Scenarios from United Kingdom (for 2025)
Divided into 3 worlds with 2 scenarios each. Focused on K-12 but well done and referenced; many of the observations are applicable to Higher Education.
World 1: Trust Yourself
  Scenario 1: Informed Choice, Scenario 2: Independent Consumers
World 2: Loyalty Points
  Scenario 3: Discovery, Scenario 4: Diagnosis
World 3: Only Connect
  Scenario 5: Integrated Experience, Scenario 6: Service and Citizenship
Written in 2009 by FutureLab (Education Department)