Generation Alpha's campus transformation: Neurodiversity, wellness, and tech Integration

Higher education faces a highly competitive recruitment and retention environment as Generation Alpha approaches college age. This session equips campus and facility planners with strategies to meet their baseline infrastructure expectations for neurodiverse-friendly spaces, mental wellness support, and integrated technology. Amy Holzle demonstrates how inclusive design accommodates diverse learning styles while sensory-conscious environments provide the emotional safety Gen Alpha demands. She reveals why virtual reality, gamified platforms, and intuitive wayfinding are requirements — not enhancements — for tech-native students. Through multiple case studies, she explores flexible furniture, adaptable spaces, and cultural responsiveness strategies that support autonomy and belonging. She lays out a roadmap for campus environments that attract, retain, and support Generation Alpha's success.