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The Columbus Dispatch

For higher ed reporter Sheridan Hendrix, back to school means a busy fall

For higher ed reporter Sheridan Hendrix, back to school means a busy fall

As The Columbus Dispatch's higher education reporter, fall is my favorite season. Here's what I am covering.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal Swears In Diana Rogers-Adkinson as MCLA's 13th President

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal Swears In Diana Rogers-Adkinson as MCLA's 13th President

U.S. Representative Richard Neal officially swore in Diana Rogers-Adkinson as the 13th president of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) during an inauguration ceremony held in North Adams on Saturday. Rogers-Adkinson succeeds James F. Birge, who retired after a decade in the role. The event, attended by approximately 100 people, took place at the Amsler Campus Center Gym. During the ceremony, student government President Tia Kareh presented Rogers-Adkinson with ivy, symbolizing growth and strong roots for the institution. Rogers-Adkinson, a first-generation college student herself, emphasized MCLA's commitment to providing opportunities and support systems for all students, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college. She highlighted the institution's role in social mobility, noting that MCLA ranks fourth nationally in this regard.

Detroit Free Press

Tarek Sobh explains why he's growing Lawrence Tech's global footprint

Tarek Sobh explains why he's growing Lawrence Tech's global footprint

The institution that dates back to the early days of automotive production has launched programs in Iraq, China and other countries.

Utah Board of Higher Education Approves FY 2027-28 Budget Recommendations

Utah Board of Higher Education Approves FY 2027-28 Budget Recommendations

The Utah Board of Higher Education has approved its operating and capital budget recommendations for fiscal year 2027-28. These recommendations will be submitted to the Governor and the Utah Legislature for consideration during the 2027 General Session. The proposed budget prioritizes investments in workforce capacity, addresses performance funding and growth needs, and aims to expand access to technical colleges. A significant aspect of the recommendation includes substantial capital investments designed to enhance workforce responsiveness. The Board's chair, Amanda Covington, emphasized that the recommendations reflect the critical role of Utah's public colleges and universities in preparing students for the workforce and meeting community and employer needs, while also considering the state's revenue environment. The budget proposal includes an unprecedented institutional capital cost-sharing partnership, aiming for a fiscally sound, system-aligned, and high-impact plan. Final funding decisions will be ...

University of Rhode Island Students, Faculty, and Staff Receive Free RIPTA Bus Rides Under New Agreement

University of Rhode Island Students, Faculty, and Staff Receive Free RIPTA Bus Rides Under New Agreement

The University of Rhode Island (URI) has entered into an agreement with the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), allowing URI students, faculty, and staff to ride public buses for free using their school IDs. This new arrangement, announced last week, means URI will pay a flat fee of $135,000 to join RIPTA’s U-Pass program. The agreement, signed on September 18, is effective from October 1 through August 31, 2027. Previously, URI students received a half-price discount on RIPTA's monthly bus passes, a system that had been in place for at least two decades. The U-Pass program grants members of the URI community unlimited bus access statewide, including nights, weekends, and university holidays, eliminating the standard $2 fare per ride. More than half of URI students commute to campus, making public transportation a significant service for their daily needs.

U.S. Education Department Releases Student Loan Default Rates Post-Pandemic Pause

U.S. Education Department Releases Student Loan Default Rates Post-Pandemic Pause

The U.S. Education Department has released cohort default rates (CDRs) for federal student loans for fiscal year 2023 (FY 23). These rates reflect borrowers who entered repayment and defaulted within three years, following the resumption of student loan repayments after a pause during the Covid pandemic. The national CDR for FY 23 is 0.4%. For community colleges, the rate is 0.6%, representing 1,957 students at 651 colleges. Public four-year institutions recorded a CDR of 0.2%, while proprietary schools had a rate of 0.8%, with two-to-three-year proprietary schools at 0.9%. CDRs serve as a primary accountability mechanism for institutions participating in federal student loan programs. Institutions with a CDR exceeding 40% in a single year risk losing eligibility for the Direct Loan Program, and those with a CDR of 30% or higher for three consecutive years may lose eligibility for both Direct Loan and Pell Grant programs. The FY 23 CDRs are the first to carry potential binding consequences since FY 17, as ...

Michigan Tech Breaks Ground on Chang K. Park Center for Student Wellness

Michigan Tech Breaks Ground on Chang K. Park Center for Student Wellness

Michigan Technological University has broken ground on the Chang K. Park Center for Student Wellness, a new 78,400-square-foot facility designed to centralize comprehensive student well-being services. The center, funded by a $55 million gift from alumnus Chang K. Park, is the largest individual donation in the university's history. It will consolidate over 30 existing wellness services and resources from various campus locations into one integrated hub. The facility is strategically located between the Memorial Union and Administration buildings and is projected to open in the fall of 2028. The design of the center is based on Michigan Tech's 'Be Well Initiative,' which focuses on four pillars: Live Well, Play Well, Connect Well, and Recharge Well.

Cornell's student journalists show how vital campus newsrooms are | Opinion

Cornell's student journalists show how vital campus newsrooms are | Opinion

Student newspapers are more than a talent pipeline to the American free press; they are living laboratories for civics education.

Old Dominion University Hosts Diverse Range of Student Events and Organizations

Old Dominion University Hosts Diverse Range of Student Events and Organizations

Old Dominion University (ODU) is actively hosting and organizing a wide array of events and supporting numerous student organizations, as indicated by its events list. The university's platform details various activities and groups, ranging from academic and professional associations to cultural, recreational, and religious organizations. Examples include the Artificial Intelligence Club, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Black Student Alliance, and various sports clubs like the Baseball Club and Mens Ice Hockey Club. The events list also highlights administrative functions such as event subscriptions, calendar synchronization, and options for managing event details like start and end times, and time zones. The platform provides functionalities for group registration, managing archived records, and communication tools like chat and email builders for selected groups. This comprehensive listing demonstrates ODU's commitment to fostering a vibrant and diverse campus environment through student eng...

Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Latin American Student Association Fosters Community and Heritage

Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Latin American Student Association Fosters Community and Heritage

The Latin American Student Association (LASA) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU Carbondale) serves as a key community hub for students, faculty, and staff. This registered student organization is dedicated to providing a space for individuals to learn about, embrace, and share their Latin heritage. LASA's mission extends to assisting both new and established Latin American students by fostering service and solidarity within the university community. The organization aims to cultivate strong mutual interests and lasting friendships among Latin American, American, and international students, as well as the local community, through inclusive and accessible activities. LASA's vision includes offering an organized program of social, educational, athletic, and civic activities, maintaining a structured cultural event calendar, and conducting regular meetings to govern institutional affairs while adhering to university regulations and non-discrimination policies.

U.S. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove's Former Aide Runs for Los Angeles Community College Board

U.S. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove's Former Aide Runs for Los Angeles Community College Board

Darryn Harris, a former aide to U.S. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, is currently running for Seat 4 on the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees. Harris, who is 42 years old and works as a community college educator and government and community affairs officer for St. John’s Community Health, recently began teaching a student skills class at Santa Monica College. His experience includes working at UCLA and in the halls of Congress. He emphasizes his background in public service, stating his understanding of government operations, budget and policy decisions, and his ability to foster collaboration. The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is the largest in California and one of the largest in the nation, overseeing approximately 200,000 students and an annual budget of around $10 billion across nine colleges. Seven candidates are vying for this particular seat on the board.

New College of Florida and State University System Spin U.S. News Rankings Amid Declines

New College of Florida and State University System Spin U.S. News Rankings Amid Declines

Despite significant drops in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, New College of Florida (NCF) and the State University System of Florida are actively promoting positive aspects of their performance. NCF, which fell 15 spots this year to 150th among national liberal arts colleges and 74 spots since a conservative overhaul began in 2023, highlighted improvements in metrics such as financial resources per student, academic profile of incoming classes, and full-time faculty. Similarly, the State University System of Florida issued a statement touting an "upward trajectory" for its institutions, even though most of its 12 member schools also experienced declines in the U.S. News rankings. Both NCF and the state system emphasized their performance in other ranking schemes where they showed improvement, a departure from previous years when they focused primarily on U.S. News outcomes.