Centering Career Readiness in Higher Ed

Centering Career Readiness in Higher Ed

by | Jul 18, 2025 | Outcomes and Accountability, Video

Centering Career Readiness in Higher Ed

Why it matters:

With employers increasingly focused on skills and outcomes, Purdue Global’s approach creates a direct pipeline between education and employment.

By the numbers:

  • Students from 1,800+ employers complete Purdue Global programs annually
  • Their bachelor’s degree in organizational management has enrolled 800+ students since 2022
  • That program has already produced 500+ graduates

Key innovations:

  • Using Lightcast for labor market analytics to provide broader job opportunities
  • Integrating career services in program development and review committees
  • Creating experiential credit opportunities that recognize workplace skills

The bottom line:

By inserting career readiness into every aspect of education, Purdue Global is demonstrating how universities can better serve both students and employers.

Federal Higher Ed Updates with Alex Ricci

Federal Higher Ed Updates with Alex Ricci

by | Jul 10, 2025 | Policy, Video

Federal Higher Ed Updates with Alex Ricci

Why it matters

Major changes to student aid programs and loan limits will significantly impact higher education institutions and students, requiring preparation for implementation challenges.

 

Key takeaways

  • Title IV changes: Workforce Pell Grant expansion and loan repayment modifications will affect students and institutions
  • Loan limit overhaul: Effective July 1, 2026, Graduate PLUS loans will be eliminated (with grandfathering) and Parent PLUS loans will have hard caps ($20,500 annual, $65,000 aggregate)
  • Accountability measures: New earnings accountability test represents first significant federal focus on student outcomes
  • Employer benefits: Section 127 employer education assistance ($5,250) now permanent and inflation-indexed

Negotiated rulemaking update

  • Recent narrowly-focused rulemaking session addressed PSLF eligibility restrictions per Trump’s executive order, with no consensus reached.
  • Department of Education likely to release draft rules within 30-45 days, with potential finalization before October 2025.
  • Future rulemaking may follow this faster, more targeted approach focusing on single issues.

AI’s Transformative Role in Education

AI’s Transformative Role in Education

by | Jun 19, 2025 | Innovation, Video

AI’s Transformative Role in Education

Why it matters:

While the internet democratized access to education, AI can potentially ensure every learner succeeds by adapting to individual needs and abilities.

Key insights:

  • WGU was designed to be “student-centered, tech-first” from its inception during the early internet era
  • Pulsipher warns against simply using AI to make existing educational models more efficient
  • Instead, he advocates rethinking education entirely: “What are the capabilities of the new technology that would say, living in that unconstrained world, what would you do?”

The bottom line:

Just as the internet expanded access to education, AI has the potential to personalize learning itself—unlocking the full potential of every individual in ways we’ve never been able to before.

Breaking the Time Barrier

Breaking the Time Barrier

by | Jun 19, 2025 | Innovation, Outcomes and Accountability, Video

Breaking the Time Barrier

Why it matters:

Traditional higher education is constrained by fixed time periods that don’t match how people actually learn.

The big picture:

As college costs rise and student debt mounts, education leaders are reimagining a system where:

  • Learning is validated by demonstrating skills, not seat time
  • Technology enables personalized, flexible pathways
  • Access expands to working adults and underserved populations

Bottom line:

This transformation challenges long-held assumptions about higher education while creating more accessible, effective, and equitable learning opportunities.

June Executive Director Update

June Executive Director Update

by | Jun 6, 2025 | Outcomes and Accountability, Video

June Executive Director Update

The Key Points

The Presidents Forum is ramping up work on distance education and AI while staying active in policy matters.

Why it matters

These initiatives shape the future of higher education delivery and regulation.

The big picture

The Forum is balancing innovation in education delivery with policy engagement and regulatory compliance.

What’s next

  • Mid-June: Second Negotiated Rulemaking update
  • Late June: NACIQI update
  • Ongoing: Reconciliation briefs and financial aid integrity work
Section 127 reform aims to unlock private investment in education

Section 127 reform aims to unlock private investment in education

by | May 30, 2025 | Outcomes and Accountability, Video

Section 127 reform aims to unlock private investment in education

Why it matters:

An outdated $5,250 cap on tax-free employer education benefits from 1986 is limiting private investment in workforce education.

By the numbers:

  • The $5,250 cap would be worth about $15,000 today if adjusted for inflation
  • 73% of workers are interested in education benefits, but interest drops to 39% when benefits above the cap are taxed
  • U.S. student loan debt totals $1.77 trillion, with average borrowers owing $38,375

The solution:

Two bills (H.R. 6401 and 6402) propose to:

  • Raise the tax-free benefit cap
  • Index it to inflation
  • Include books and learning tools in covered expenses

What’s next:

The House Ways and Means Committee has proposed adjusting the cap for inflation starting in 2026.