Author: Laurie Arnston

New Report Sheds Light on College Faculty and Staff Mental Health

The Healthy Minds Study’s Faculty/Staff Survey, since it piloted in 2021, has helped institutions understand their employees’ mental health and perceived ability to help students with mental health concerns. The 2023-24 survey results are based on nearly 10,000 survey respondents from 30 colleges and universities.

Leveraging AI to Support Student Mental Health and Well-Being

Artificial intelligence is transforming how colleges approach student mental health, offering innovative ways to manage stress, connect students with resources, and detect warning signs early. Armando Montero explores how campuses are using AI to bolster traditional support systems, as well as the challenges of privacy, bias, and the growing demand for mental health services.

Graduate Degrees Offer High Rewards and Rising Risks

For generations, graduate degrees have been seen as a reliable pathway to career advancement and financial stability. However, a new report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce raises serious concerns about the financial risks and unequal benefits of these programs.

Making Authentic Optimism the New Normal

Devorah Lieberman challenges higher education leaders to embrace “authentic optimism” in 2024, a leadership style that pairs hope with a realistic understanding of institutional struggles.

Enhancing College Websites to Support Adult Learners

American Institutes for Research, in partnership with Lumina Foundation, is researching how colleges and universities can better design programs and messaging to meet the needs of Black, Hispanic, and Native American adult learners. A 2024 review of 350 institution websites highlighted promising practices in presenting key information to these learners.

FAFSA for All: A Game-Changer for College Access in Alabama

A policy mandating FAFSA completion for all graduating seniors has transformed college access in Alabama, opening doors for thousands of low-income students. With dramatic improvements in some of the state’s poorest counties, this game-changing approach shows the power of direct outreach and challenges other states to rethink how they expand educational opportunity.

Enhancing Student Wellness: State-Led Initiatives and Insights

SHEEO and The Jed Foundation, with support from the Lumina Foundation, have created a learning community to develop and implement policy recommendations for enhancing student mental health and wellness. Arizona, Louisiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas received planning grants to participate in the Student Mental Health and Wellness Learning Community for 2023-2024.