The SIE Society has released The State of Social Impact Entertainment in Academia, a groundbreaking study by filmmaker and SIE Society Co-Founder Robert Rippberger revealing how universities are training the next generation of storytellers to drive real-world change. Based on research across 15 institutions, the report shows student demand for SIE courses is rising sharply, but institutional funding lags behind. It also identifies key success factors—like cross-disciplinary collaboration and pilot funding—and provides a replicable roadmap for developing sustainable programs. The findings position academia as a critical incubator for socially conscious content creators and a key ally for the entertainment industry.