ACC appoints Dr. Monique Reeves as Executive Vice Chancellor for the Future.

ICYMI: Higher education leaders, advocates, and researchers came together at Howard University Monday for the launch of ACE’s new Economic Impact of Higher Education in America tool. https://ow.ly/AwiG50X9kcI

Reminder: Digital Education seminar next week! Joshua Travis Brown, "How competition catalyzed innovation and set the stage for the collapse of American higher education". Chaired by Ben Williamson. 27th October 2025, 1-2 pm GMT Online (Teams) and in-person (Edinburgh Futures Institute, room 4.30) BOOK NOW (free): https://lnkd.in/dBZSivDh Abstract: This presentation takes a behind-the-scenes look at the changes shaking higher education and what the future holds for universities in this new financial climate. Based on the newly released book, Capitalizing on College: How Higher Education Went from Mission Driven to Margin Obsessed, this talk shows how market-oriented government policies incentivized universities to find necessary financial resources by establishing new enrollment markets. Institutional leaders innovatively created new educational products for non-traditional student groups, leading to higher financial margins that provided a temporary salve. But as competition for students expanded, a hierarchy of winners and losers emerged. As a result, many university leaders found themselves confronted once again with palpable “trade offs” between mission and money – decisions with significant impacts for faculty, staff, and students.

This article from The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 27, 2025, underscores the argument of my essay about a dangerous trend in American higher education, namely, the rise of all powerful boards, as reflected in the woes that threaten to bring the great University of Chicago to its knees. “How did this happen? The answer lies in a national trend, which even a faculty with the financial expertise of Chicago’s could not resist. This trend is the total power of Boards of Trustees — self-appointed, self-reproducing, and answerable to no discernable public or regulatory scrutiny, not even to the presidents they hire, assess, and fire. Indeed, the growth of the power of the board is one of the most important transformations in American colleges since at least the 1990s. University presidents themselves live in the shadow of their boards. A remarkable amount of presidential time goes into meeting board expectations, negotiating board politics, managing board meetings and titrating news of campus tensions to boards. The provost and the deans are left to manage student recruitment, faculty hiring and promotion, curriculum, and campus life. Presidents are also expected to be fund-raisers, but a great deal of fund-raising turns on board-generated nudges, networks, favors, and of course their own quasi-obligatory donations.” https://lnkd.in/eK-ZNBJc American higher education stands at a critical turning point. Political interference, demographic decline, financial strain, leadership churn, and technological disruption are converging into a structural crisis of confidence. This essay argues that governance lies at the heart of both the problem and the solution. Boards that are too large, donor-driven, or politically captured often substitute performance for purpose, weakening institutional autonomy and eroding public trust. The impact is most visible at HBCUs, where underfunding and fragile board-president relations magnify every vulnerability. Drawing on cross-Atlantic research, sector data, and leadership case studies, the essay proposes a pragmatic path forward: right-size boards to strengthen judgment and speed; professionalize trusteeship through clear roles, training, and evaluation; rebuild shared governance and data literacy; and develop institutional “umbrellas” that lawfully shield campuses from coercive policies while protecting academic freedom. Governance is not ceremonial; it is consequential. Trustees, presidents, policymakers, and donors must see it as the core of institutional vitality. When boards align mission, market, and model, universities can once again serve as engines of opportunity, innovation, and democratic renewal. The future of higher education depends on courageous, strategic, and principled stewardship.

A Bright Future for Eagle Pass: Sul Ross State University Announces New Campus in Our City Today marks a historic milestone for Eagle Pass and the entire Middle Rio Grande Region. Sul Ross State University has officially acquired 43 acres of land in our city to build a new four-year university campus that will bring greater educational opportunities, economic development, and a lasting legacy for generations to come. The $4.5 million investment, supported by the 89th Texas Legislature, is more than just the purchase of land. It represents a firm commitment to the future of our students, who will now be able to pursue high-demand careers in engineering, finance, computer science, construction technology, and health sciences without leaving their hometown. The new campus will be strategically located at the intersection of Foster Maldonado Boulevard and Main Street—close to Southwest Texas College, Fort Duncan Medical Center, and our local athletic complex. This location reflects a vision of progress that connects education, healthcare, and community development in one powerful hub. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Sul Ross President Dr. Carlos Hernández, the Texas State University System, the Texas Legislature, and all state and local leaders who made this achievement possible. Their vision and trust in Eagle Pass are proof that our community is ready to grow and compete at the highest level. This project will not only change the lives of our students but will also strengthen our local economy, attract investment, and establish Eagle Pass as a key center of opportunity and innovation along the border. On behalf of the City of Eagle Pass, I reaffirm our full commitment to working hand-in-hand with Sul Ross and our regional partners—including Maverick County, the Hospital District, and Eagle Pass Water Works—to ensure this vision becomes reality. Eagle Pass is writing a new chapter in its history: one of education, innovation, and hope.

🎉Student Success US 2025, hosted in partnership with The University of Georgia is coming to Atlanta in just under one month! From November 17-19, hundreds of higher education leaders will gather to discuss the pressing challenges facing the industry and explore actionable strategies for the year ahead. ⬇️Here are some of the key challenges we’ve identified – along with sessions from our agenda designed to help you address them: Challenge: How can my institution transform the growing culture of student anxiety into opportunities for building resilience and self-agency? Session: Anxiety to agency: Helping students take control of their worry, with: 🎤Colleen Flaherty, Inside Higher Ed 🎤Tre Baldwin, Baylor University 🎤Estevan Garcia, Dartmouth College 🎤Amy Hecht, Florida State University Challenge: How can my university ensure continuity of academic and career support as students move from undergraduate to graduate studies, fostering skills, community and competitiveness? Session: From undergrad to grad school: Tailoring academic and career support, with: 🎤Brennen Salmon, The University of Georgia 🎤Tracy Balduzzi, Syracuse University 🎤April Belback, University of Pittsburgh 🎤John Gardner, Gardner Institute Challenge: How can we effectively communicate the academic, personal and societal benefits of higher education to potential students from underserved communities? Session: Making the case: Showing the value of college to underrepresented communities, with: 🎤Sara Custer, Inside Higher Ed 🎤Rorie T., University of Memphis 🎤Kamilah L. Williams, Knox College 🔗View our full agenda and book your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/eaAuATFa #StudentSuccessUS #timeshighereducation #highereducation

It was a pleasure to join Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare MP at Plumpton High School on Friday, where he highlighted a national increase in university commencements – especially among students from low socio-economic, Indigenous, regional and remote backgrounds. Minister Clare praised UNSW Gateway in creating more equitable pathways to higher education. But the purpose of the program is not just to ensure equity but equally to build excellence – excellence for UNSW and excellence for Australia. Currently, 22.6% of UNSW domestic undergraduates come from a low socio-economic background, a Gateway school or both – and we have brought forward our Gateway Equity Target of 25% to 2026. By increasing access to a broader segment of Australia and supporting their success in higher education, we increase the talent pool of excellence Australia can draw upon in these critical times. Similarly, the increased breadth of talent entering UNSW is a fundamental aspect of increasing the excellence at UNSW, ensuring we remain one of the top universities in the world and improve our ability to deliver against our aspirational strategy – Progress for All. A highlight of the morning was meeting two outstanding Gateway ambassadors, Dheyey Joshi and Katrina Meng, who are a testament to the impact of this program in supporting students to establish an early sense of belonging at UNSW and succeed. At UNSW, we have focused our efforts on removing the structural barriers young people face in accessing higher education. Gateway is central to that mission and our support for students begins well before they step onto campus. Our Gateway program and ambassadors work with Year 10, 11 and 12 students across Greater Western Sydney to provide the concrete tools for accessing university and experiences that support them to make informed decisions about their future. This year alone, close to 10,000 high school students participated in UNSW Gateway, either as part of in-school workshops, through our online learning hub or on campus. UNSW supports our pathway students to succeed at university with wraparound support services including access to scholarships and awards, affordable on-campus accommodation, transition support, peer mentoring and targeted academic support. Data shows students who have entered UNSW through Gateway are performing just as well as their peers in the classroom when it comes to academic performance and employment outcomes, a clear sign that when we remove barriers and provide targeted support, we can reverse the educational disadvantage – and our University and society are stronger for it.  Read more on the UNSW Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/gpHW2uYM Mary Teague #UNSWGateway

Empire State University, a pioneer in accessible higher education, was moving from a hybrid to an all-online university to meet the needs of Gen Z and those seeking degrees later in life. With a shift toward an all-online student body, the opportunity to reach new audiences was an exciting one. This strategic shift opened opportunities to reach new audiences but also intensified competition, making conversion optimization a key priority. We focused on improving the user journey through data-driven conversion strategies, including the implementation of multi-step forms to streamline the application process. The data-driven approach delivered measurable impact with a  📈25% increase in undergraduate students year over year 📈41% increase in graduate students year over year 📈3x increase in Request for Information form fills 📈21.3% increase in spring applications These results demonstrate how thoughtful conversion optimization and user experience design can directly drive enrollment growth. https://bit.ly/4h6fWgs

Impressive National Rankings Validate Elevation and Transformation at Claflin University Sep 24, 2025 Claflin University reaffirmed its upward trajectory as a premier liberal arts institution by earning impressive rankings in two influential and widely respected publications that conduct detailed and systematic studies of the higher education landscape.  Claflin maintained its position as the No. 1 Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in South Carolina in U.S. News and World Report's 2026 rankings. The prestigious publication ranked the University as the No. 1 National Liberal Arts College as a Top Performer in Social Mobility in South Carolina and No. 3 among HBCUs in the same category. Top Performers in Social Mobility is a category that considers how successful colleges are in advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of students who have been awarded Pell Grants. More than 75 percent of Claflin's students receive Pell Grants; however, many of these students secure high-paying jobs and launch successful careers after earning their Claflin degree.  Claflin was ranked No. 7 among all private HBCUs and tied at No. 13 to retain its position as a U.S. News and World Report Best HBCU for the 15th consecutive year. The U.S. News rankings system rests on two pillars: quantitative and qualitative measures that education experts have proposed as reliable indicators of academic quality, as well as U.S. News' view of what matters in education. Washington Monthly Magazine ranked Claflin the No. 1 HBCU and No. 2 among liberal arts colleges/universities in South Carolina in its 2025 Ranking of Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities. Since 2005, Washington Monthly has ranked colleges based on their contributions to the country. The publication ranks schools based on their contribution to the public good in four broad categories: Access, Affordability, Outcomes, and Promoting Public Service. more...  

The Unheard Voices Rebuilding Higher Education While the headlines focus on elite universities, the real story of higher education is unfolding quietly — in classrooms and offices far from the cameras. Elite institutions dominate the conversation because prestige and controversy sell. A protest at Harvard trends online; a mentoring initiative at a small regional college barely makes a line in local news. Yet fewer than 1 in 10 students in America attend these highly selective institutions. The other 9 out of 10—the veterans, working adults, single parents, and first-generation students—are enrolled in community colleges and smaller universities that hold the moral heartbeat of this nation. These are the campuses where transformation still feels sacred. Where a professor’s encouragement changes the trajectory of an entire family. Where hope is not an abstract idea, but a lifeline. And yet, these voices rarely make it into the national narrative. The presidents and educators leading these institutions aren’t invited to morning shows or policy panels. They aren’t quoted in op-eds about the “future of higher education.” But they are the ones building that future—one student, one act of care, one renewed sense of purpose at a time. Those of us who carry this mission forward do so quietly. We are not chasing prestige—we are preserving purpose. We serve where the work is most human: in the halls where dreams are fragile but alive, where education is not a brand, but a bridge. The truth is simple but profound: the future of higher education will not be rebuilt by the elite. It will be rebuilt by the unheard voices—the educators, leaders, and students who still believe that transformation begins with hope.

🌍 I had the opportunity to attend Convergence 2025: Credential Innovation in Higher Education (UPCEA and AACRAO) in Washington, DC at the top of the week. The conference centered on how colleges and universities can better align with employer needs, policy changes, and the future of skills based learning. A few takeaways that stood out: ✅ Employers want speed, practicality, and clear evidence of skills, not just grades or theory. ✅ Workforce Pell is expanding to short term programs, but accountability will be high. Institutions must show strong completion, placement, and earnings outcomes. ✅ Comprehensive Learner Records (CLR) and Learning and Employment Records (LER) are gaining traction. They are not just “enhanced transcripts” but verifiable evidence of what learners can do. ✅ Credentials of value will be the standard moving forward, with a focus on high need and high wage pathways. The closing session highlighted the Infuse Project, a national initiative underscoring the central role of registrars in shaping the future of records, ensuring they are portable, trusted, and aligned with workforce demand. Convergence 2025 made clear that higher education must move faster, speak the language of employers, and design programs and records that demonstrate real value. This work invites us at Lincoln University to explore how we might position ourselves for the future, both in Pennsylvania and in the broader national conversation.