New Year Welcome

New Year Welcome

by | Jan 6, 2025 | Outcomes and Accountability, Policy

Welcome to 2025 at the Presidents Forum!

As we move forward in the new year, we’re energized by the possibilities that lie ahead. We are committed to reshaping the higher education landscape around student financial success and accountable innovation, while continually supporting working learners. This month we will revolve our content around New Year’s Resolutions. Be on the lookout for resolutions from the Forum as a whole and from our individual institutions.

Our website and social media will present daily thought leadership and carefully curated higher education news.

We are also creating a 2025 public policy agenda which will be available on our website when completed.

Together, let’s make 2025 a transformative year for student success.

AI in Teacher Education

AI in Teacher Education

by | Dec 17, 2024 | Innovation, Policy, Video

AI in Teacher Education

The big picture

Education schools are grappling with AI integration, with concerns about plagiarism dominating the conversation and faculty confidence remaining low.

 

Key findings

  • Plagiarism focus: Current AI discussions in education heavily center on detection and prevention, despite unreliable detection tools
  • Faculty concerns: Include data privacy, job security, and unclear usage guidelines
  • Leadership outlook: Program leaders show balanced optimism about AI’s potential while acknowledging risks

 

What’s next

  • Internal changes: Universities need to incentivize faculty engagement and provide AI training
  • External support: State policymakers could revise teaching certification standards to include AI literacy
  • Collaboration: Education schools should partner with AI experts and peer institutions to avoid reinventing the wheel

Western Governors University: Responsible Borrowing Initiative

Western Governors University: Responsible Borrowing Initiative

by | Dec 12, 2024 | Innovation, Policy, Video

Western Governors University: Responsible Borrowing Initiative

The big picture

WGU’s Responsible Borrowing Initiative (RBI) has saved students hundreds of millions in unnecessary debt through a simple but revolutionary approach – informing students about their borrowing and suggesting lower amounts.

Why it matters

With student debt reaching crisis levels nationally, WGU’s program demonstrates how basic information sharing can dramatically reduce student borrowing without any regulatory changes.

The impact

The award-winning program has influenced:

  • Tennessee’s adoption of RBI concepts across public higher education
  • Department of Education’s development of an annual student loan acknowledgment system
  • Multiple states implementing annual student loan notices

What’s next

The College Cost Reduction Act, currently moving through Congress, could adopt similar affordability and accountability measures nationwide.

The bottom line

Simple process changes around debt awareness and responsible borrowing can have massive impacts on student financial outcomes.

Leading Through Change

Leading Through Change

by | Dec 4, 2024 | Policy, Video

Leading Through Change

The big picture

Presidential transitions create both challenges and opportunities for higher education policy.

Why it matters

The Presidents Forum can shape policy to better serve working learners during this transition period.

Key priorities:

  • Develop actionable recommendations to reduce regulatory burden
  • Champion innovative approaches to education delivery
  • Ensure equitable access and workforce alignment

The bottom line

The Forum’s practical expertise positions it as a crucial voice for underserved learners during this transitional period.

December CHIPS Update

December CHIPS Update

by | Dec 3, 2024 | Policy

By Cameron Mortensen, Policy Director

We continue to see awards and progress in the semiconductor industry and its workforce development, and have summarized recent announcements below. To learn more about the CHIPS for America Workforce Development strategy and programs, please follow this link.

New Training and Workforce Development Initiatives

The NSF and Micron Foundation have announced an expanded funding opportunity through the NSF ExLENT program, offering up to $1 million over three years to support hands-on learning in emerging technologies. This initiative focuses on developing workforce capabilities in advanced manufacturing, microelectronics, and biotechnology through cross-sector partnerships.

Major Manufacturing Investments

The Biden-Harris Administration has made several significant CHIPS incentives awards to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing:

Research and Development Initiatives

The Department of Commerce is pursuing several strategic investments in semiconductor research and development:

  • Up to $300 million for advanced packaging research projects across three locations:
    • Absolics Inc. (Georgia)
    • Applied Materials Inc. (California)
    • Arizona State University (Arizona)
  • $285 million negotiation with Semiconductor Research Corporation Manufacturing Consortium Corporation (SRC) to establish a new Manufacturing USA institute in Durham, North Carolina

The Presidents Forum has made nominations to the Natcast Workforce Advisory Board and we anxiously await an announcement on appointments to that board.

Biden’s New Student Loan Forgiveness Plan: What You Need to Know

by | Nov 7, 2024 | Policy

Biden’s New Student Loan Forgiveness Plan: What You Need to Know

The big picture

The Biden administration has unveiled a new proposal for student loan forgiveness, focusing on borrowers experiencing financial hardship. This “Plan B” comes after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s first attempt in summer 2023.

Why it matters

The proposed rule could potentially forgive billions in student loan debt, but faces significant hurdles in implementation and potential legal challenges.

By the numbers

Cost estimates for the program range from $112 billion to $400 billion over the next decade, depending on various factors and implementation details.

What’s next

The Department of Education faces a tight timeline to finalize the rule before a potential administration change. The process includes a public comment period, review by the Office of Management and Budget, and publication of a final rule.

The bottom line

While the Biden administration is pushing to implement this new forgiveness plan, its future remains uncertain due to regulatory hurdles and the possibility of a new administration reversing course.