When college presidents become the target and not the issue, hesitation has a cost. Lori Varlotta draws a blueprint for protecting institutions and leaders as misinformation starts to spread.
Author: Laurie Arnston
Student AI Use on the Rise: Why Universities Must Lead with Ethical Support
The 2025 U.S. Student Wellbeing Survey finds that while most students now use AI for academic support, many are anxious about its risks and want universities to provide safe, reliable, and equitable solutions.
From Non-Traditional Learners to the New Traditional Learners: Investing in America’s Future Workforce
A new report calls on colleges to redesign career services for today’s “new traditional learners”—adult, working, and online students—by integrating workforce-aligned curricula and more accessible work-based learning opportunities.
New Data Highlights Demographic Shifts in College Admissions Prior to Enrollment
New research from the Urban Institute shows shifting college applicant and admit pools, with declines for Black students at selective schools, steady decreases for White students, and a sharp rise in students opting not to report race or ethnicity.
Working Students Face New Challenges in a Shifting Policy Landscape
As Congress reshapes student aid and public benefits, working students—already balancing jobs, classes, and family obligations—may face even steeper barriers to staying enrolled and completing their degrees.
Investing in Prison Education Saves Taxpayer Dollars
A June 2025 report from the Education Commission of the States outlined ways in which state policy actors can expand access to prison education and therefore reduce likelihood for recidivism and incarceration costs.
The Value of Higher Education: An Unexpected Partisan Agreement
New America’s ninth annual survey on higher education in America found that despite the politicization and polarization of higher education, Americans are united in their understanding of the importance and value of a college degree.
Education at Risk: The Fallout from the Trump Administration’s Education Cuts
A new report from Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-MA) office outlines the far-reaching consequences of the Trump administration’s efforts to defund and dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
As Cuts to Department of Veterans Affairs Loom, Our Commitment to Veterans Education Faces a Critical Test
As the VA moves to eliminate more than 80,000 jobs, ACE’s Lindsey Tepe and Michele Spires warn that veterans’ access to education benefits could be at serious risk.
What First-Generation Students Need for Career Development
A new brief from FirstGen Forward explores how first-generation college students navigate the transition from college to career, highlighting insights from a national survey and focus groups with higher education professionals—most of whom are first-gen graduates themselves.
How State Policies Can Support Dual Enrollment Students
A new report published by Bellwether examines dual enrollment programs and policies among four states, finding common themes related to both cost-sharing and access that states can replicate to further promote equity in dual enrollment participation.
Mobility Isn’t a Choice: How Higher Education Can Better Serve Military Learners
Military learners don’t get to choose when or where they move—but they still show up in college classrooms ready to succeed. Abby Kinch and Michele Spires explore how institutions can support their path forward.