From pandemic crisis to recovery and resilience: lessons from COVID-19 at a large urban research university

The abrupt onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced a dramatic shift in higher education. Over time, the prolonged and cyclical nature of public-health restrictions conditioned students, faculty, and staff to adopt a crisis mindset as their baseline. Moving from crisis to recovery therefore posed unique obstacles at both individual (e.g. anxiety, exhaustion, and post-traumatic stress) and organizational levels (e.g. transition logistics, labor market changes, and student preparation). Using case study methodology, this paper describes an effort to directly address the evolution from pandemic crisis to recovery and future resilience at large, urban, research-intensive university spanning three campuses. Consultation meetings in the form of individual interviews and focus groups with 301 academic leaders, staff leaders, and student leaders across the institution raised critical insights into the process of adapting to change in an institution of higher learning. The analysis of discoveries and resulting actions clustered into four themes: fatigue, loss, and pride in the aftermath of crisis; moving forward (including recognizing efforts and challenges to integration); innovation out of adversity caused by COVID-19; and future-proofing by seizing opportunities for creating resilience. Despite the chaos that crises may introduce, this case study illustrates how they carry unique opportunities for growth. As the future will continue to present all manner of challenges, the willingness and ability to adapt will define future outcomes for higher education.