Sat.Jun 24, 2023 - Fri.Jun 30, 2023

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Supreme Court Rejects Affirmative Action

Confessions of a Community College Dean

Justices deem admissions programs at both Harvard and UNC Chapel Hill to be unconstitutional. This is a developing story. Please return throughout the day for more coverage. The U.S. Supreme Court declared Thursday that the admissions systems used by Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill illegally violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

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Supreme Court Strikes Down Race-Conscious Admissions

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

In a pair of votes, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down race consciousness in college admissions on Thursday, upending four decades of precedent. The court voted 6-3 against the race conscious practices of the University of North Carolina (UNC) and 6-2 against the practices of Harvard, due to the recusal of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson The court’s opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, articulated three main reasons that the affirmative action programs at Harvard and UNC violated the eq

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Common App Essay Prompt 2: Overcoming Obstacles or Challenges

Great College Advice

Write the Common App Essay Prompt 2 About Overcoming Obstacles or Challenges Writing a good essay for your Common Application is tough. You have to dig into your life and find interesting nuggets to share with perfect strangers. Common App essay prompt 2 asks you about some things that perhaps you’d rather not talk about: your failures, your greatest challenges, and moments that just aren’t things you want to talk about all that much.

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30 Higher Ed IT Influencers to Follow in 2023

EdTech Magazine - Higher Education

Higher education IT departments have proved invaluable during the past three-plus years of upheaval, navigating uncharted waters to implement full-scale remote learning, support a mountain of on-campus technologies and push back against a rising wave of cyberattacks. Even employees considered outside the traditional IT world have become immersed in technology as digital learning offices popped up on campuses across the country to help get faculty up to speed to embrace the modern learning styles

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Amy Gutmann’s $23 Million and the Triumph of Cynicism

Confessions of a Community College Dean

The University of Pennsylvania paid its former president almost $23 million in 2021—prompting Jonathan Zimmerman to ask, where is the outrage? In 2006, University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann was photographed at a Halloween party standing next to a student dressed as a suicide bomber. The photo went viral, and Gutmann—who had become president two years earlier—was forced to issue an apology.

IT 145
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AAUP Files Amicus Brief Challenging “Stop W.O.K.E.” Act

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in support of Florida faculty who are challenging the state’s “Stop W.O.K.E.” Act. Gov. Ron DeSantis The 2022 state law – the “Individual Freedom Act” (“IFA”) – bans professors at Florida’s public universities from expressing certain viewpoints while teaching topics such as racial and sexual discrimination and injustice.

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Common App Essay Prompt 5 About a Period of Personal Growth

Great College Advice

Write a Great Common App Essay on Personal Growth Common App Essay Prompt 5 asks you to “discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.” If you’re looking to highlight your transformative journey, consider crafting a Common App essay on personal growth. The best Common Application essays show how you have grown as a person over time and how you reflect on that personal growth.

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DeSantis Challenges Constitutionality of Accreditation

Confessions of a Community College Dean

Higher education lawyers and advocates say the lawsuit is more about politics than a serious legal challenge—though others say it makes a compelling case. For 58 years, the accreditation system of higher education has stood, enshrined in federal law and reaffirmed with each reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Now, a federal lawsuit from the state of Florida is looking to upend that entire system, which is a key part of the federal accountability system that helps to determine wh

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Workgroup Releases Recommendations for Black Student Equity

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

Since the 2015 launch of Graduation Initiative 2025, a state-backed project to improve graduation rates, the California State University system (CSU) has made significant progress, with students from all groups earning degrees at higher rates. But disparities persist. The graduation rate gap between Black and white students is 22.2 percentage points,3 of a percent higher than it was fifteen years ago.

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Famous Graduates of Liberal Arts Colleges

Great College Advice

Surprise. There are lots of famous graduates of liberal arts colleges. The liberal arts seem to be getting a bad rap these days. Students and parents alike are wondering what the value of a broad education could be. Instead they want their kids to pursue seemingly lucrative majors in STEM, engineering, or the realm of finance and economics. Nevermind that the drop-out rate from STEM majors is very high, especially at large universities.

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How Is Higher Education Preparing for Quantum Computing?

EdTech Magazine - Higher Education

The promise of quantum computing is simple enough to understand. “Do you know any industry that doesn’t need faster processing speeds?” says David Stewart, managing director of the Quantum Science and Engineering Institute at Purdue University. “If you think of it that way, it’s going to be applicable for everything.” Exactly when quantum computing will be “applicable for everything” remains an open question.

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Liberty University Spokesperson Invokes Hitler

Confessions of a Community College Dean

Liberty University communications director Ryan Helfenbein sparked controversy in an interview last week when he referred to Adolf Hitler and other murderous dictators while discussing cultural battles over education at the Road to Majority Policy Conference held in Washington, D.C.

Education 130
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The Antidote to the Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action? The Essay Will Keep Us Talking About Race

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

As university administrators and admissions officers scramble to comply with the Supreme Court’s opinion, here’s the counterintuitive way out. Be color blind. But keep talking about race. I’ve always talked about race. And now, I’m upping the volume. The Supreme Court made me do it. The six conservatives may have on their race blindfolds (the ones they want everyone to wear).

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Want To Be An Architect? Study the Liberal Arts!

Great College Advice

What Classes Do I Need to Be an Architect? A client of mine is a budding architect. He is taking an independent study in architecture at his high school. He has become very enthusiastic about the possibility of turning his interest into a career. But he is unsure about what road to take as an undergraduate. Should he look for universities that offer a Bachelors degree in architecture.

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Banning Affirmative Action Won’t Stop DEI, But It’ll Make it Harder

Paradigm IQ

Today’s Supreme Court ruling striking down affirmative action is, sadly, not a surprise. Over the past few months, as the Court’s decision has drawn cl.

DEI 111
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The ChatGPT Commencement Address

Confessions of a Community College Dean

Wells College president Jonathan Gibralter is among the higher ed leaders who used ChatGPT to craft a graduation speech this year. But the administrative potential of such tools remains largely untapped. As Wells College graduates gathered last month, President Jonathan Gibralter delivered a commencement address that sounded like countless others delivered across the country.

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Stony Brook University Receives $700,000 to Address Shortage of Diverse and Prepared K-12 Leaders

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

Stony Brook University has received $700,000 for an initiative to address the lack of diverse and well-prepared K-12 school leaders. The grant – from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to Stony Brook’s Educational Leadership program – will help teachers from underrepresented groups enroll graduate education to prepare for leadership roles; will fund professional development for school leaders; and will support research to improve understanding of challenges and strategies.

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High GPA or Hard Classes? Which Is Better?

Great College Advice

Which is Better: High GPA or Hard Classes? The question that parents and students most often ask me is, “which is better: getting a high GPA or hard classes?” The humorous, accurate, but not always helpful response is: “Take the hardest course you can and get an ‘A’ in it.” Here’s the scoop: this is not an easy question to answer categorically.

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Community college and career opportunities becoming a higher priority for high schoolers

University Business

Time and time again, Gen Z students share their thoughts on whether they intend to pursue an education beyond high school, a statistic that often changes depending on the current climate. For instance, the pandemic caused many students to rethink their postsecondary decisions. Similarly, a recent report from the American School Counselor Association revealed that more than one-fourth of the graduating class of 2023 reported having doubts about college.

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‘In God We Trust’ in Every Louisiana Classroom

Confessions of a Community College Dean

A new Louisiana law that requires “In God We Trust” signs displayed in classrooms raises larger questions about religion and higher ed. Public colleges and universities and K-12 schools in Louisiana will be required to display signs that read “In God We Trust” in all classrooms starting in August, according to a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards earlier this month.

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Campuses Host a Range of LGBTQ+ Programming for Pride Month

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

In honor of Pride Month, college and university campuses across the U.S. celebrated and supported its LGBTQ+ communities in a wide range of ways. "Now, especially with all the anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, it's important that we have visibility on college campuses and in communities," said Shane Windmeyer., executive director and founder of Campus Pride. Shane Windmeyer At Emory University , those from multiple generations of the LGBTQ+ community were allowed to tell their stories and discuss American qu

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All About API

Symplicity

If you, like me, are a career services professional just making your way through this crazy, high-tech world to stay connected to your students, Application Programming Interface (or API) probably doesn’t mean much to you!

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Could the ‘Metaversity’ be the college campus of the future?

University Business

In partnership with educational virtual reality developers VictoryXR, Morehouse created a virtual space where students could congregate for class remotely. Using a virtual reality (VR) headset, students first “spawn” into the digital twin campus, a familiar environment that “makes them more comfortable with the fact that they’re in new and emerging technology,” says Morris.

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‘Preaching’ in Biology Class?

Confessions of a Community College Dean

St. Philip’s College, despite the name, is a public college. A professor who is also a pastor says the college fired him after it allegedly received complaints of “preaching” in class. An adjunct professor who is also an associate pastor says a Texas community college fired him after it claimed to have received complaints of “religious preaching, discriminatory comments about homosexuals and transgender individuals, anti-abortion rhetoric and misogynistic banter.

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A Rise in Job Satisfaction Among Faculty Since Pandemic

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

A new study by Course Hero, an online learning platform for educators, suggests that a rise in job satisfaction among faculty has improved since the start of the pandemic. During a time when educator retention is experiencing a sharp decline, the data suggests a trend of positive experiences and feelings by educators who are making moves to stay in their field, even as new concerns are emerging in academia.

Faculty 239
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Texas A&M Today: New Department Of Hospitality, Hotel Management And Tourism Approved At Texas A&M

Hanover Research

The new department will offer three new undergraduate degree tracks in hospitality, hotel management and tourism. Hanover Research projects employment in hospitality and hotel management over the next 10 years to grow 6.3% nationally and 17.2% in Texas. The post Texas A&M Today: New Department Of Hospitality, Hotel Management And Tourism Approved At Texas A&M appeared first on Hanover Research.

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How 2 college equity leaders advise navigating a changing climate amid backlash

University Business

Higher education’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is nearing a potential inflection point as two trends coalesce this summer: State bills stamping out DEI offices and two Supreme Court rulings are expected to strike down affirmative action in the coming days. These decisions, some higher education stakeholders argue, will have both short- and long-term impacts on minority students and American communities at large.

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Cabrini University Will Close

Confessions of a Community College Dean

After months of seeking a partnership, Cabrini University will close. Nearby Villanova University is working on a deal to acquire its campus. After months of uncertainty and a failed search for a partner to keep its doors open, Cabrini University will close. Nearby Villanova University is working on a deal to purchase its campus. According to a joint statement from both institutions, Cabrini will graduate its last class next May, giving it one final year of runway before the small Roman Catholic

IT 116
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Tennessee State University Planning to be First HBCU Sponsor for Ice Hockey Program

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

Tennessee State University (TSU) is looking to become the first HBCU to sponsor an ice hockey program, The Athletic reported. TSU – in partnership with the NHL , the NHL Players Association and the Nashville Predators – plans to launch a men’s club ice hockey team in the 2024-25 school year. The school aims to start competing at the club level in the American College Hockey Association (ACHA), but eventually wants to field men’s and women’s teams in ACHA Division 1 or Division 2 level in 2026-2

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Renaissance: The Role of Succession Planning in Diversifying the American College Presidency

Higher Education Today

By Ashley L. Gray The 2022 release of Renaissance, Beyoncé’s seventh solo album, took the world by storm. In “Break My Soul,” Beyoncé’s lyrics, accompanied by Big Freedia’s call for us to “release,” express the need for releasing the way things have been done in all spheres of life. Within higher education, the true diversification. Read more » The post Renaissance: The Role of Succession Planning in Diversifying the American College Presidency appeared first on Higher Education Today.

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CFO Dive: Inflation, Talent Shortages Undercut Finance Team Efficiency: Report

Hanover Research

Conducted in partnership with Hanover Research, the survey included responses from 519 senior finance and accounting professionals across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The post CFO Dive: Inflation, Talent Shortages Undercut Finance Team Efficiency: Report appeared first on Hanover Research.

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SUNY Adds Liaisons for Homeless Students

Confessions of a Community College Dean

In a coordinated effort to address student housing insecurity, the State University of New York system will designate a staff member on every campus to work with homeless students. Navigating college can be especially challenging for students experiencing homelessness. “At a very basic level, housing insecurity and homelessness are a real risk to student success,” said Bryce McKibben, senior director of policy and advocacy at the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice, which is dedicated

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SABINE STANLEY

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

Sabine Stanley Sabine Stanley has been appointed vice provost of graduate and professional education at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Stanley holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and astronomy from the University of Toronto and a master’s and Ph.D. in geophysics from Harvard University.

Education 239
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Test Your Canadian IQ with the Canada Day Quiz!

Study and Go Abroad

Happy Canada Day! July 1 marks the 156th anniversary of Canadian Confederation , which dates all the way back to 1867. Canada has an imperfect history, but there’s plenty to celebrate , too. Truth and reconciliation Though wildfires and grocery prices have captured the news cycle, we’re still focused on truth and reconciliation. You may remember that in 2021, hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered across the country, bringing the tragedies of Canada’s residential s

IT 97
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North Dakota college presidents plead for response to Minnesota free tuition

University Business

State college presidents are pleading for a response to Minnesota’s North Star Promise Program, which they’re worried will cost them many of their students. North Dakota State University’s president says more than half of their students come from Minnesota. At a time of declining enrollment, this gives those students a reason not to cross the state line—potentially costing North Dakota schools millions of dollars.

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‘Never Have I Ever’ and Its Lessons on College Admissions

Confessions of a Community College Dean

The show doesn’t get everything right, but on the most important points, it does. Early in the fourth, and final, season of Never Have I Ever, a Netflix hit, Devi sets out as a senior to earn a college recommendation letter from Dr. Keyes. Keyes prides herself on writing the best teacher recommendation letters, and she writes only two a year. She handwrites them.

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Dr. Timothy Alvarez Retires from Otero College in Purpose, with Satisfaction

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

Dr. Timothy Alvarez’s life is a living example of the importance of mentors in higher education. Dr. Timothy Alvarez From earning an associate degree to serving as president of a community college, Alvarez understands the value of higher education and the need to create pathways and support systems. As he prepares to retire Aug. 11, after five years as president of Otero College, which is part of the Colorado Community College System, he does so with a sense of satisfaction that he followed his