At every university, there are names that don't appear in advertising campaigns, but without whom there would be no academic future. People who aren't front and center at graduation ceremonies, but who sustain the present and shape what's to come.

Because today, in the midst of an era of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and constant change, universities cannot remain the same. And the heart of that transformation lies in their academic portfolio.
Not only in what you teach, but in how , to whom , at what pace , and for what purpose .

The academic offering is much more than a list of majors or programs. It is the living promise of a university that aims to continue making sense.

And those who sustain it—those who care for it, challenge it, and reinvent it—are, for us, the true heroes of higher education.

Who are the real heroes (and heroines) of the university academic transformation?

They are the people behind the design, updating, and expansion of academic programs. They are the ones who connect the pedagogical with the strategic. They are the ones who transform ideas into real learning paths.
And they often do so in silence, with limited budgets, slow structures, and a lot of responsibility on their shoulders.

These are some of their most common roles:

• Academic Vice-Rectors
• Directors of virtual education
• Academic Development Leaders
• New Program Coordinators
• Curriculum Innovation Managers
• Strategic instructional designers
• Academic portfolio leaders
• Coordinators of quality or internal assurance areas
• Directors of educational or digital innovation
• Curriculum planning or offer design teams

It doesn't matter what the title is. What they have in common is this: They're holding together the living core of the university.

Why are these leaders so important today?

Because the context has changed. And with it, what a university needs to remain relevant has also changed.

Today, updating your academic portfolio is neither a luxury nor a long-term project. It's a strategic necessity.

• 60% of key skills in 2019 will no longer be a priority by 2024 (LinkedIn Learning)
• The most agile institutions redesign their offering every 6 to 12 months
• Students are looking for flexible, up-to-date proposals aligned with their reality.
• The labor market demands a real connection between education and employability
• And artificial intelligence is accelerating the pace of change like never before.
  

In this new environment, those leading the creation, updating, and redesign of programs are not just doing their job. They are defining the future of their universities.

Because they are the ones who ensure that the academic offerings stay ahead of the curve. That they evolve with the world. That they respond to what students need today and prepare them for what will come tomorrow.

A university that does not update its portfolio loses relevance.
A university that updates it without a strategy wastes time, resources, and credibility.
But a university with leaders who promote a vibrant, flexible, and purposeful offering…
That is a university with a future.

The internal barriers that most wear down academic leaders

Leading the evolution of an academic portfolio sounds inspiring. But in practice, it often means navigating complex challenges with very few resources.

These are some of the most common obstacles faced by academic leaders at universities across Latin America: Slow and bureaucratic processes : Changing a curriculum, launching a new program, or updating a training path can take months—even years—due to a lack of agility in approval processes.

• Lack of coordination between teams : Curriculum, virtual, innovation, technology, and administration often work in silos. This leads to duplication of efforts, strategic disconnects, and a loss of valuable time.
• Too many ideas, too little operational capacity : There's vision, there's urgency, but not enough hands to execute with quality and speed. The internal team ends up putting out fires, rather than innovating .
• Low visibility and recognition : Although their work directly impacts the relevance and sustainability of the university, they rarely receive the support, autonomy or institutional recognition they deserve .
• Lack of data for decision-making: Many leaders design without clear analyses of skills gaps, labor demand, or current program performance. This makes it difficult to prioritize and focus strategy .
• Lack of trust or training in new technologies : The integration of tools like AI or learning platforms still generates resistance or technical doubts. Without proper training, the risk is that they will be misused... or never used at all .
• Feeling like you're going it alone : One of the phrases we hear most is, "I know what needs to be done, but I feel alone pushing through this." And that sustained exhaustion, without a safety net, is one of the greatest dangers.

And that's where the problem arises: people with vision, urgency, purpose... but without a strategic space to support them.

That's why EduMakers was born

EduMakers is not a generic community or just another course. It's a strategic ecosystem designed exclusively for those who lead the academic growth of their universities.

What does it include?

• Specialized training path for your role: Access a curated sequence of online courses at Griky Academy, designed to strengthen your skills in academic leadership, curriculum innovation, virtual education, and portfolio management. Nothing generic: content tailored to your needs.
• Co-creation of a course with the Griky team: Each member will be able to design their own virtual course (in their area of expertise) with our team. You bring the knowledge, and we transform it into a high-quality virtual experience, ready to launch in five weeks.
• Annual licenses to premium platforms: Includes access to Coursera Plus and LinkedIn Learning , with learning paths curated based on your profile and challenges. Because leadership also involves continuous learning.
• In-person gatherings in Latin America: Intimate spaces for co-creation, sharing best practices, and connecting with other leaders facing similar challenges.
• Priority access to top industry events: VIP invitations to events such as IFE Monterrey , ASU+GSV Summit , RECLA , Edutic , and other key educational transformation forums. You'll be where the decisions are being made.
• Admission to the EduMakers Summit in Silicon Valley : A strategic journey to the heart of global innovation, with visits, meetings, and learning opportunities in the world's most powerful EdTech ecosystem. A members-only event.
• Group mentoring, consulting, and resources every month: You'll receive a monthly newsletter with actionable insights, access to mentoring sessions with international experts, and consulting opportunities to solve real-world challenges at your university.
• A real network of academic leaders: A trusting environment with other vice-rectors, directors, and academic leaders. Because the best solutions come from peers who understand each other.

Do you want to apply or nominate someone?

Applications are open at: www.griky.co/edumakers

This isn't a space open to everyone—and that's intentional.

We want to ensure that every person who joins finds real value and has an experience that speaks directly to their challenges. That's why we take great care with who we invite to be a part of it.

It's not about exclusivity, but about relevance: that the support, tools, and conversations we offer are truly aligned with what each leader needs today.

And if you'd like to chat to see if this space is right for you or your team, please email us at info@griky.co. We'd be happy to tell you more and support you through this process.

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