Rethinking Success with Former Under Secretary James Kvaal
Rethinking Success with Former Under Secretary James Kvaal
The Big Picture
In a conversation between Former Under Secretary James Kvaal and UMass Global President David Andrews, key insights emerged about the evolving landscape of higher education and federal oversight.
Why it matters
The discussion highlights critical challenges in making higher education more accessible and adaptable to modern student needs, particularly for working adults and non-traditional students.
Key takeaways
- Federal funding flexibility: Current “all or nothing” approach to federal aid needs reform, with potential for “sandbox” programs to test new approaches
- Innovation barriers: Misunderstandings exist between education innovators and Department of Education staff, suggesting need for increased dialogue
- Non-traditional students: Average students at institutions like UMass Global are in their mid-30s and working full-time, challenging traditional completion metrics
The bottom line
Success in higher education needs to be measured differently, accounting for diverse student populations and their unique journey paths, rather than traditional metrics like 4-year completion rates.
Thought Leadership
Thought Leadership
The Bottom Line
The Presidents Forum has established itself as a hub for higher education thought leadership through:
- Daily original content featuring presidents, policy leaders, and researchers
- Direct platform for thought leaders to reach their target audience
- Professional content development and distribution strategy
Why it matters:
The organization’s focused approach has led to measurable growth in social media engagement and website traffic, positioning it as a central voice in shaping higher education’s future.
A 20-Year Standstill Threatens Service Member Education
A 20-Year Standstill Threatens Service Member Education
Why It Matters
Military education benefits are becoming less effective, threatening both service member advancement and military recruitment.
The Big Picture
Active-duty service members face two major obstacles in pursuing higher education:
- Tuition assistance has stagnated at $250 per credit since 2002, while average credit costs have risen to $477
- Online students lose housing allowances, despite online learning often being their only option
The Bottom Line
Without updated education benefits, military recruitment could continue declining while service members struggle to access higher education.
Federal Reconciliation Process and Higher Education Priorities
The federal budget reconciliation process is a legislative procedure allowing Congress to modify spending, revenue, and debt limit laws through expedited means. This streamlined process is crucial because it requires only a simple majority in the Senate, with limited time for debate and amendments. For the Presidents Forum, reconciliation presents a valuable opportunity to advocate for key federal investment priorities, including Pell Grant reform, military tuition assistance, and expanded dual enrollment support. Our upcoming Washington, D.C., meetings will enable our Presidents to share vital insights with congressional members regarding these important funding priorities.
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