College Essays: Diversity Prompts & Admission Trends
Colleges are shifting away from explicit diversity prompts in admissions essays, but still seek to understand applicants' backgrounds and fit. New essay topics include conflict resolution and AI.
Indiana College Graduation Quotas & Program Cuts
Indiana introduces college graduation quotas, leading to program cuts and faculty concerns. Master's programs are most affected. SUSF reviews underperforming programs, causing confusion and chaos.
Sonoma State: New President, Enrollment Challenges, Turnaround
Sonoma State University appoints Michael Spagna as president amidst enrollment decline and financial turnaround efforts. Focus on boosting registration, reversing budget cuts, and introducing new programs.
MacKenzie Scott’s Billion-Dollar University Donations
MacKenzie Scott's university contributions exceeded $1 billion by 2023. Recent donations include $80M to Howard University and significant gifts to other HBCUs, supporting scholarships and research.
Colby College: AI in Education via ‘Burro Conversation’
Colby College embraces AI in education through 'Burro Conversation,' a system offering access to diverse AI models. Faculty-led initiatives empower students with AI literacy and drive innovation across disciplines.
College Compact Rejection: Academic Excellence Debate
Several universities reject the 'Compact for Academic Excellence'. Concerns raised about academic freedom, tuition, and government funding. Only two colleges have shown intentions to sign.
Scott’s Donations: HBCU Funding Boost & Impact
MacKenzie Scott's donations significantly boosted HBCU funding, student enrollment, and retention. Her unrestricted gifts had a catalytic effect, exceeding Ivy League endowments in some instances.
Trinity Christian College Closing: Financial Struggles & Teach-Out
Trinity Christian College in Illinois will close in 2026 due to financial troubles and declining enrollment. The college has teach-out agreements for undergrad programs and is working on transfer options. Financial problems affect the university's cash holding.
IT Collaboration: Cloud & AI Forums Drive Innovation
Universities collaborate in Cloud and AI Forums, sharing data, co-designing solutions, and accelerating innovation with industry partners, impacting higher education significantly.
University Leadership Changes: Knoxville, Utah State, and More
Multiple universities face leadership transitions. Knoxville seeks revival with a former leader. Utah State appoints a new president amidst controversy. Other institutions also announce new leaders or departures.
Humanities in Crisis: Navigating a Turning Point
The humanities face a kρίσις, a turning point, amid declining support. Integrating liberal arts with STEM, adapting to evolving structures, and focusing on public enrichment are key to their survival and relevance.
Open Inquiry: Fostering Intellectual Curiosity & Discourse
Promoting intellectual curiosity and open discourse is crucial in education. Focus on HOW we engage in the classroom to enhance learning, rather than political predispositions. Encouraging active listening and questioning is key.
EDUCAUSE Conference: IT, Technology & Higher Education
EDUCAUSE 2025: Exploring IT, technology, and higher education challenges. Keynotes, panels, and the EDUCAUSE Commons offer networking and insights into resilient campuses and AI ethics.
NEBHE: Sustaining College Transfer Pathways in New England
NEBHE convenes leaders to sustain the New England Transfer Guarantee, ensuring streamlined transfer pathways and student success across six states beyond grant funding.
University Professors Fired Over Social Media Posts
Several university professors have been fired or faced action for social media comments. Budget deficits and ideological conflicts are also leading to layoffs at various institutions. University funding affected.
Trump’s College Compact: NCF Embraces, Others Reject
New College of Florida embraces Trump's college compact, facing criticism. Other universities reject it, citing concerns about academic freedom and political interference after DeSantis' changes.
Trump Administration & University Funding Disputes
Polls show Americans disagree with the Trump administration's stance on university funding and alleged antisemitism issues, amidst policy change pressures and legal challenges. Research funding management are involved.