A longitudinal Michigan State study found most college students reported improved life satisfaction and reduced loneliness in the four years after the pandemic, but recovery was uneven across groups and campuses. At the same time, a sector‑wide survey and reporting show that higher‑education staff and leaders face mounting stress from political pressure, financial strains and operational complexity. Researchers tracked the same cohort from 2020–21 through 2025 and reported increases in in‑person socialization and overall well‑being, while university HR and leadership data highlight burnout, recruitment challenges and governance pressures that keep senior teams awake at night. Practitioners say the mixed picture requires differentiated interventions: expand student mental‑health access while stabilizing working conditions and governance processes to retain faculty and staff.