ACE President Ted Mitchell urges the incoming administration to recognize the critical role America’s colleges and universities can play in tackling the nation’s most pressing challenges.
Author: Laurie Arnston
Recommendations for States to Address Postsecondary Affordability
An October 2024 report, Beyond Sticker Prices: How States Can Make Postsecondary Education More Affordable, reviews data to evaluate affordability of postsecondary education across nine states, including Alabama, California, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
From Pause to Progress: Predictors of Success and Hurdles for Returning Students
UPCEA and StraighterLine carried out a survey to examine the driving factors, obstacles, preparedness, and viewpoints of individuals who started but did not finish a degree, certificate, technical, or vocational program.
State Funding for Short-Term Credentials Ramps Up
Short-term and non-degree credentials are becoming an increasingly central piece of the education landscape in the United States. HCM Strategists conducted an in-depth examination of all 50 states to establish the first comprehensive classification system of state funding for short-term credential programs.
The Power of Personal Storytelling in Higher Education Leadership
In a time of increasing skepticism and political division, higher education leaders must find new ways to connect with their communities. Devorah Lieberman, president emerita of the University of La Verne, writes about how to harness the power of personal storytelling to bridge divides and strengthen your institution.
Good News About the FAFSA
The Department of Education has launched the 2025-26 FAFSA ahead of schedule, a major win after last year’s debacle. ACE President Ted Mitchell says this milestone, paired with the bipartisan FAFSA Deadline Act, is a crucial step toward expanding college access for low-income students.
For Adult Learners, College Means More Than Just Jobs and Wages
When adults decide to go back to college, some people assume their motivations are purely economic—to get a better job, make more money, or move up the corporate ladder. However, a new study by Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, Stanford Pathways Network, and Strada Education Foundation challenges this narrow view.
Supporting Students Formerly in Foster Care
Youth formerly in foster care (YFFC) face complex and heightened demands with regard to postsecondary education. In a new brief from Trellis Strategies, the author discusses the distinct needs of YFFC who pursue higher education.
Troubled FAFSA Rollout Linked to Sharp Decline in First-Year College Enrollment
The problems with the new FAFSA rollout caused delays and fewer students filing, which experts at the National Student Clearinghouse and the Brookings Institution say could lead to a drop in new college enrollments, based on early data and analysis.
Prioritizing Mental Health Support in Community Colleges: Key Data from 2023
The 2023 Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) and Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE) gathered essential data to guide community colleges in supporting student mental health and well-being.
Unpacking the Transition to College
Each year, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reports on the transition from high school to college. The latest report finds that as we move further away from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, policy and practice are reverting to “normalcy,” though there are still lasting inequities in student outcomes.
Families Use a Variety of Options to Keep Pace with Increasing College Tuition
A new analysis from the Brookings Institution examines the different funding sources that families use to pay for four-year nonprofit colleges and how these differ depending on family income.