The Future of Higher Ed Regulation

by Presidents Forum | Jan 23, 2025 | Policy, Video

The Future of Higher Ed Regulation

Big picture:

A panel of higher education experts discussed recent changes in Department of Education regulations, particularly focusing on negotiated rulemaking and distance learning oversight.

Key panelists:

Phil Hill – Ed tech expert and reporter
Scott Pulsipher – Western Governors University president
Mark Milliron – National University president

Key takeaways:

“Whiplash” effect: The Department’s sudden shift in December marked an unprecedented change in their approach to regulation
Process concerns: Panelists agreed that earlier engagement with higher education institutions could have prevented unintended consequences
Modern learner focus: Regulations need to account for today’s diverse student population, including working adults and lifelong learners

January CHIPS Update

by Presidents Forum | Jan 16, 2025 | Innovation, Policy

Cameron Mortenson, Policy Director

The Department of Commerce officially finalized its agreement with Natcast to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). Over the next 10 years, NSTC will execute on its strategic plan to:

Extend U.S. technology leadership
Reduce the time and cost to prototype
Build and sustain a semiconductor workforce ecosystem

Through another announcement this week, the Department of Commerce announced $1.4 billion in funding to establish U.S. leadership in semiconductor advanced packaging and manufacturing. The funding announcement includes $1.1 Billion to the Natcast operated NSTC Prototyping and NAPMP Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility in Tempe, Arizona. The announcement also includes $300 Million for advanced substrates and research to the following organizations:

Absolics Inc – $100 Million to help build a glass-core packaging ecosystem.
Applied Materials Inc – $100 Million to develop and scale a disruptive silicon-core substrate technology for next-generation advanced packaging and 3D heterogeneous integration.
Arizona State University – $100 Million to support the development of the next generation of microelectronics packaging through fan-out-wafer-level-processing (FOWLP)

The Presidents Forum has been actively monitoring and engaging with CHIPS Act developments since its inception. Through regular updates and discussions, the Forum continues to track these transformative investments in American semiconductor capabilities, recognizing their critical importance to U.S. technological leadership and economic competitiveness.

Notice of Policy Working Group

by Presidents Forum | Jan 9, 2025 | Policy

The Presidents Forum has taken a significant step forward in shaping higher education policy by convening a diverse working group of policy experts from its member institutions. This collaborative effort brings together experienced professionals from various colleges and universities to develop a comprehensive 2025 public policy agenda. The group’s primary focus is to address the evolving landscape of higher education and provide actionable recommendations for the incoming presidential administration.

Through a series of structured discussions and analysis sessions, the working group has identified key areas requiring attention, including data reform, a focus on student outcomes, and mode and method regulatory parity. These policy experts are leveraging their collective expertise to craft proposals that balance innovation with accountability, ensuring that higher education remains both cutting-edge and accessible.

The working group’s efforts will culminate in a detailed policy document that outlines specific recommendations for the incoming administration. These recommendations aim to strengthen the foundation of higher education while preparing for future challenges and opportunities.

New Year Welcome

by Presidents Forum | 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

by Presidents Forum | 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

by Presidents Forum | 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.