When Compassion Drives Completion
The big picture: Students carry life with them into learning. Family responsibilities, health crises, and loss don’t pause for coursework—and too often, these challenges derail even the most determined learners. Why it matters: Compassionate design in higher education...
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Recent Stories
Thought Leadership
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...
A 20-Year Standstill Threatens Service Member Education
Why It Matters Military education benefits are becoming less effective, threatening both service member advancement and military recruitment. The Big Picture Active-duty service members face two major obstacles in pursuing higher education: Tuition assistance has...
Federal Reconciliation Process and Higher Education Priorities
The federal budget reconciliation process is a legislative procedure allowing Congress to modify spending, revenue, and debt limit laws through expedited means. This streamlined process is crucial because it requires only a simple majority in the Senate, with limited...
March CHIPS Update
The landscape of semiconductor manufacturing in the United States continues to evolve rapidly, with significant developments that have far-reaching implications for workforce development and economic growth. In a major development for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing,...
March Update
Why it matters: The Presidents Forum continues to advance innovation in higher education through policy engagement, new partnerships, and collaborative initiatives focused on student success. The big picture: New Department of Education appointments (James Bergeron...
Annual DC Advocacy Meeting
The Presidents Forum is heading back to Washington, D.C. on March 24-25 for our annual advocacy meeting! Last year's gathering was a tremendous success, bringing together the most forward-thinking educational leaders from across the country to advance higher education...
Department of Education Guidance for Fighting Pell Fraud
On February 24th, the Department of Education released detailed guidance on combating Pell fraud. Guidance and updates included: Enhanced identity verification processes being implemented by Federal Student Aid Critical reminder of institutional requirements for...
Driving Change Through Collaborative Projects
Why it matters The Presidents Forum drives major change projects in higher education, focusing on increasing access and improving education quality. The big picture Two significant initiatives showcase their impact: NC-SARA: Established oversight for distance...
Blurring the Lines: Strengthening Indiana’s Workforce and Education Connection
Dr. Sue Ellspermann, President, Ivy Tech Community College As workforce demands evolve, the need for accessible, career-focused education has never been more critical. To remain competitive in a global economy, states must ensure that education and workforce...
Workforce Crisis in High-Social-Value Professions Demands New Solutions
Why It Matters High-social-value professions like teaching, nursing, and social work face critical workforce shortages despite their essential role in community wellbeing. The Big Picture These shortages particularly impact rural and urban communities, with specific...
Excelsior: Cognitive Skills Remain Important in Age of AI
The Big Picture Higher education needs to intentionally develop critical thinking and cognitive abilities - not just technical skills - to prepare students for the modern workforce. Why it matters Employers increasingly value "soft skills" like communication,...
Upscaling Careers with Microcredentials
The big picture: Microcredentials are transforming career advancement opportunities in today's rapidly evolving job market. Why it matters: Professionals can now upskill quickly and affordably, meeting industry demands without committing to full degree programs. The...
Northern Virginia Community College Innovates the Internship to Speed Students from Learning to Earning
By President Anne M. Kress, PhD Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) consistently looks for opportunities to respond to demand signals from regional employers and, thereby, build pathways to jobs that help Virginians climb the economic ladder. When new fields,...
Leadership Changes at the Department of Education
Significant leadership changes are underway at the Department of Education. Linda McMahon's confirmation hearings for Secretary of Education signal potential shifts in federal education policy and priorities. The White House has also nominated Nicholas Kent, who...
Introduced JOBS Act Expands Pell Eligibility
The newest iteration of the Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act was introduced on February 4th by Senators Kaine, Collins, Smith and Marshall. Currently, Pell Grants can only be used for traditional two and four-year college programs. This...
The Policy Path Ahead
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...
AI’s Not a Genie in a Lamp: It’s a Space to Think
The big picture: Author Josh Thorpe argues against viewing AI as either a "magic power" or "just a tool" — instead advocating for seeing it as an interactive learning environment. Why it matters As educational institutions grapple with AI integration, Thorpe's...
February CHIPS Update
In a significant development for the CHIPS and Science Act implementation, on January 16th, the Department of Commerce announced preliminary funding agreements totaling approximately $246.4 million across four semiconductor companies. The proposed investments include:...
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