In today's knowledge economy, the role of higher education is being redefined--not simply tweaked and fine-tuned but, rather, fundamentally redefined. The author contends that there are at least two ways to frame this future for higher education. The first is to view it as a perfect storm, born from the convergence of numerous disruptive forces. The second is to view this time as the dawn of a new day, a sunrise rife with opportunities arising from these same disruptive forces. How educators choose to respond to the disruptions and opportunities that are coming will determine much of the higher education landscape during the coming decade. (Contains 4 notes.)