Redesigning Affordability to Make College Work for Students

Redesigning Affordability to Make College Work for Students

by | Nov 12, 2025 | Outcomes and Accountability, Policy, Video

Redesigning Affordability to Make College Work for Students

The problem

College costs have outpaced earnings for decades, and the system that determines them is too complex for students to navigate. Affordability can’t just mean cutting expenses — it must mean redesigning higher education around the needs of learners.

The idea

Making college truly affordable means rethinking how we use time, money, and accountability. Programs should be faster, simpler, and priced transparently. Institutions that align costs with outcomes deliver real value for students.

What’s working

BYU Pathway Worldwide is showing what’s possible. Its three-year degree model reduces tuition by 25 percent and delivers a full bachelor’s degree for about $6,300. The approach starts with short, stackable certificates that connect directly to employment and then build toward degrees.

Why it matters

Affordability fails when we ignore the full cost of attendance—time, housing, and complexity. Clear pricing and simple aid structures help students plan and persist. Every dollar and hour saved matters.

The shift ahead

True affordability requires accountability. States and institutions must measure and publish real value—how programs lead to completion, employment, and upward mobility. Public investment should reward results that improve students’ lives.

The bottom line

Three-year degrees. One clear price. Transparent results.

Affordability isn’t about marginal savings. It’s about redesigning higher education for the students it serves.

Mastery Over Minutes: Modernizing Federal Aid for Today’s Learners

Mastery Over Minutes: Modernizing Federal Aid for Today’s Learners

by | Nov 7, 2025 | Outcomes and Accountability, Policy, Video

Mastery Over Minutes: Modernizing Federal Aid for Today’s Learners

Why it matters:

Higher education still measures learning by time—the Carnegie Unit. But “seat time” doesn’t reflect what students actually know or can do.

The shift:

Competency-Based Education (CBE) measures mastery, not minutes. It’s built for working parents, service members, and adults balancing school, work, and life.

The fix:

Federal policy must recognize CBE as a valid pathway, modernize Title IV aid rules, and fund Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) so students don’t pay twice for what they’ve already mastered.

The result:

A system that values learning over time—expanding access, reducing cost, and aligning education with today’s workforce.

October Executive Director Update

October Executive Director Update

by | Oct 10, 2025 | Policy, Video

October Executive Director Update

The big picture

Presidents Forum members convene in Boston on Oct. 23–24 for in-person, strategic discussions on AI and institutional strategy, upcoming Negotiated Rulemaking, national enrollment and funding trends, and Executive Branch priorities for 2025.

Why it matters

Leaders need space to cut through noise and align on student-first action. This meeting is built for direct, president-level problem-solving that translates into campus moves and policy clarity.

What’s new

We’re expanding our collaboration network introduced earlier this year. Partners will be embedded in several Boston sessions to stress-test solutions on technology adoption and workforce readiness.

What’s next

  • Post-Boston brief with actionable takeaways and model practices members can adapt on campus.
  • Continued policy tracking and member input shaping the PF 2025 Policy Agenda.

The bottom line

Boston is a catalyst—not the finish line. The Forum is aligning presidents around bold, student-centered execution that moves from conversation to measurable results.

U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Roundtable

U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Roundtable

by | Sep 19, 2025 | Policy, Video

U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Roundtable

Why it matters:

At a House Education & Workforce Committee roundtable in Utah, Chair Tim Walberg and Higher Education Subcommittee Chair Burgess Owens framed Utah’s collaboration culture as a national model for aligning tax policy, school choice, and workforce development.

The big picture:

  • Working Families Tax Cut touted as the largest in U.S. history, with no tax on tips or overtime, bigger child credits, and small business protections.
  • Education reform centered on accountability, Pell expansion for short-term and workforce programs, and caps on grad lending to rein in tuition inflation.
  • School choice momentum spotlighted Utah’s universal ESA program, with private and faith-based leaders underscoring parent-led education.

What they’re saying:

  • Business voices called the tax changes a boost for small employers and frontline workers.
  • Higher ed leaders stressed accountability, completion, and linking credentials to market value.
  • K–12 and private school advocates framed parent choice as essential to student success.
  • Workforce groups emphasized employer-aligned training and short-term credentials.

The bottom line:

Owens and Walberg cast Utah as proof-of-concept for marrying tax relief, school choice, and workforce-driven higher ed – a blueprint they want to scale nationally.

September Update

September Update

by | Sep 8, 2025 | Policy

September Update

The big picture:

The Presidents Forum has advanced regulatory engagement while preparing for its upcoming Boston meeting and shifting focus to education funding outcomes.

Driving the news:

The Forum submitted comments on the Negotiated Rulemaking process and submitted nominations to both AHEAD and RISE committees ensure member perspectives shape federal discussions.

What’s next

Boston meeting on October 23-24 will focus on four key areas:

  • Implementing AI responsibly
  • Executive branch priorities
  • Upcoming rulemaking sessions
  • Changing perceptions on educational ROI

The bottom line

The Forum remains committed to improving access, advancing student success, and accelerating innovation across higher education.

2025 NSTC Symposium to Convene Leaders in AI and Semiconductors

2025 NSTC Symposium to Convene Leaders in AI and Semiconductors

by | Aug 18, 2025 | Policy

Registration is now open for the 2025 National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) Symposium, taking place September 15-16 in Austin, TX. This event represents a significant opportunity for academic leaders to engage with the latest semiconductor industry developments.

Key Highlights:

  • Keynote Speakers Announced: The symposium will feature two powerful keynotes focused on the intersection of AI and semiconductor technology:
    • Day 1: “The Engine Behind Generative AI: A Decade of GPU Innovation”
    • Day 2: “From Silicon to Superintelligence: Building AI Infrastructure for the AGI Era”
  • Comprehensive Agenda: The event features 30+ sessions covering critical areas:
    • NSTC program updates across Research, Workforce, Design Enablement, Facilities, and Investment Fund
    • Technical sessions on edge computing, advanced packaging, memory, photonics, and more
    • Discussions with semiconductor investors and successful startups
    • Introduction of the new Analog Mixed-Signal Community of Action working group
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders, academics, investors, workforce experts, and policymakers to explore collaboration possibilities relevant to higher education institutions.
  • Funding Insights: Discover new investment and funding opportunities that could benefit academic research and workforce development initiatives.

This event aligns with the Presidents Forum’s interests in supporting semiconductor education and research initiatives. We encourage members to consider participating to strengthen connections between higher education and this critical industry.