Higher Ed Affordability Roundtable
The big picture College leaders Sue Ellspermann (Ivy Tech) and Justin Lonon (Dallas College) discuss how their institutions are tackling affordability by eliminating textbook costs and putting students first. Why it matters Their initiatives have saved students...
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Recent Stories
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...
Higher Education’s Path Forward: Lift, Not Limit
By Wesley Smith, Presidents Forum The recent debate over affirmative action and legacy admissions reflects a fundamental issue in American higher education. We remain entangled in an outdated paradigm that views higher education through the lens of exclusivity. This...
October Media Availability Recap
What’s Happening Presidents from the Presidents Forum, including Dr. Lisa Vollendorf (SUNY Empire) and Madeline Pumariega (Miami Dade College), shared innovative ways their institutions are championing underserved communities. From neurodivergent learners to debt-free...
November Executive Director Update
Why it matters The Presidents Forum continues to drive conversations on supporting underserved communities in higher education. Key highlights In October, we focused on supporting underserved communities. New content on presidentsforum.org includes interviews with...
Excelsior University President Advocates for Enhanced Military Student Support
In a recent interview with the Presidents Forum, Excelsior University President David Schejbal shared valuable insights on how higher education institutions can better serve active duty military students and veterans. With 42% of Excelsior's student body comprised of...
November Meeting Agenda
We are looking forward to our November meeting in Tempe, Arizona and wanted to give you a sneak peek of our agenda. On Thursday our presidents will attend a panel discussion with major players from the semiconductor industry. Representatives from Intel, Taiwanese...
Seeking Solutions for Military Tuition Assistance
In a recent Presidents Forum podcast, Dr. Michael Nietzel, a Forbes contributor, discussed the military's Tuition Assistance (TA) program. This insightful conversation shed light on the program's challenges and potential solutions. Overview of the Tuition Assistance...
Transforming lives through affordable education in Africa
In our recent conversation, Brian Ashton, president of BYU Pathway Worldwide, detailed the organization's significant role in expanding higher education opportunities in Africa. Serving nearly 28,000 students across 30 countries, BYU Pathway is tackling the urgent...
Micro-Credentials: A Flexible Path for Students, but Accountability Gaps Remain
Key takeaway Sara Weissman from Inside Higher Ed discusses how micro-credentials are growing in popularity because they offer students a quicker, more affordable path to gaining job-ready skills compared to traditional degrees. These short-term programs can range from...
Transforming higher ed through collaboration and innovation
Watch the first in a series of short videos detailing our mission to transform higher education.
Adapting for working learners
In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, the needs of working adult learners are becoming increasingly prominent. As traditional models of higher education adapt to accommodate this growing demographic, leaders in the field are sharing valuable insights on how to...
Compiling Semiconductor Industry-Aligned Programs
Comprehensive Program Compilation Initiative The Presidents Forum is compiling a comprehensive list of programs offered at their institutions that align with the semiconductor manufacturing industry. This effort aims to create a valuable resource that showcases the...
Owens, experts call for accountability in higher ed
Congressman Burgess Owens, Western Governors University President Scott Pulsipher, and American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Beth Akers say students deserve improved transparency and accountability in higher education. Student Outcomes Prioritized Higher...
Davenport University’s Prior Learning Program: A Win-Win for Students and Institution
The big picture Davenport University in Michigan has implemented an innovative program to award college credit for students' prior learning and work experience, reducing time and cost to degree completion. Why it matters This approach benefits both students and the...
Rio Salado College’s Best Practices for Supporting Underserved Communities
Rio Salado College's Best Practices for Serving Underserved Communities Why it matters Rio Salado College, founded in 1978, has a long-standing mission to serve underserved communities. The big picture President Kate Smith outlines three key strategies: Flexibility:...
Building Autism-Supportive Institutions
By Dr. Lisa Vollendorf, Empire State University Empire State University (SUNY Empire) has supported, since our founding in 1971, a broad range of students. We proudly help learners of all ages and from all walks of life achieve their educational dreams. As New York’s...
Navigating the Financial Aid Maze: Expert Insights from James Bergeron
James Bergeron, President of the National Council of Higher Education Resources, highlights four key issues in higher education finance: Student loan repayment and on-ramp challenges Legal hurdles facing the SAVE plan Broad student loan forgiveness debates FAFSA...
Best Practices for Expanding Pathways to Success
By Madeline Pumariega, Miami Dade College In today’s knowledge economy it is our responsibility as education leaders to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to achieve their academic and career goals. While education is often...
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