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.

Why it matters:

The Presidents Forum’s 2025 policy agenda is built on five core commitments that aim to modernize higher education for today’s students.

The big picture:

Our five commitments prioritize:

• Students First: Measuring policies by student outcomes
• Accountable Innovation: Advancing competency-based education
• Empowering Working Learners: Creating flexible pathways
• Access for All: Removing educational barriers
• Parity Across Modalities: Equal standards for all learning formats

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