Designing Community Colleges for Today’s Learners
Community colleges are being redesigned for the new majority of learners — working adults, parents, and career shifters. Presidents Kate Smith (Rio Salado College) and Janet Spriggs (Forsyth Tech) explain how. Why it matters: The traditional “full-time, first-time”...
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Recent Stories
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...
How BYU-Pathway Worldwide Is Making Education Affordable Globally
Why it matters: BYU-Pathway Worldwide has reduced degree costs to as little as $300 in Africa, making higher education accessible to 80,000+ students globally, with 40% in Africa. The big picture: Traditional higher education models aren't serving adult learners who...
Extending Faculty Reach with AI
Why it matters: Rajen Sheth, CEO of Kyron Learning and former Google leader, sees AI as a way to authentically extend faculty capabilities and make higher education more accessible to underserved populations. Key insights: Faculty concerns addressed: While AI adoption...
Janet Spriggs: Access, Success, and Student-Centered Leadership
Why it matters Forsyth Tech President Janet Spriggs brings a unique perspective to higher education leadership: she started as a community college student herself. That experience shapes her belief that access, student success, and economic mobility must remain at the...
2025 NSTC Symposium to Convene Leaders in AI and Semiconductors
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...
Matching Aptitude to Opportunity
The big picture: Many working learners land in programs that don’t fit and stop out, sometimes multiple times. Why it matters: Aligning education with natural aptitudes boosts persistence, completion, and job readiness while filling talent gaps in tech, manufacturing,...
Rio Salado College: Building a Culture of Student Success
Why it matters: Rio Salado College has pioneered innovative student support services that leverage technology while maintaining a human-centered approach. Key insights: Technology + human touch: Rio Salado combines AI-powered tools with personal advisors to create a...
New Higher Education Regulations Take Shape
Why it matters: The Department of Education is launching two negotiated rulemaking committees to implement significant changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), affecting federal student loans and higher education access. The RISE Committee Focus: Federal...
Rethinking Higher Ed for the Automation Age
What’s happening: Higher ed is at a breaking point and stuck in a system built for another era. Why it matters: Gordon Freedman says institutions can’t just layer AI onto legacy models. To serve learners and meet workforce needs, we need new infrastructure:...
July 2025 CHIPS Update
The CHIPS and Science Act continues to drive significant progress in the U.S. semiconductor industry. Here are the latest developments: Natcast Opens NSTC EUV Accelerator at NY CREATES' Albany NanoTech Complex In a major milestone for U.S. semiconductor innovation,...
Futures Thinking: AI, Workforce Development, and HigherEd Convergence— Redefining the Learning Experience
By Dr. Kate Smith, President, Rio Salado College “Collaboration between educators, employers, and policymakers is crucial to shape AI strategies that bridge the education-workforce divide and ensure ethical and effective use of AI. AI is a powerful tool that can...
How SAN Supports Online Education
Why it matters: The State Authorization Network (SAN) helps nearly 1,000 institutions navigate complex interstate regulatory requirements for online education, ensuring student consumer protections and educational access. Key insights: SAN provides analysis, training,...
WCET: Future of EdTech
Big thing: AI will be a "game changer" for higher education, enabling highly personalized support throughout the student lifecycle while potentially reducing costs. Why it matters: The current disconnect between the cost and price of distance education prevents...
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...
UT Arlington: AI Insights and Student Success Approach
Why it matters: Jennifer Cowley shares how UT Arlington is approaching artificial intelligence challenges and removing institutional barriers to support diverse student populations. AI opportunities and challenges: Views AI as both an opportunity and challenge for...
Military Education Benefits: Bridging the Gap Between Service and Success
Big picture: Military education benefits have stagnated while costs soar – creating a growing gap between service and educational opportunity. The recently passed reconciliation legislation allocates $100 million for military tuition assistance – a positive step, but...
NC-SARA: Streamlining Distance Education
Why it matters: NC-SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements) facilitates smoother interstate distance education by reducing regulatory barriers for institutions and students. Key benefits: For students: Uninterrupted education when...
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...
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