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College Athletics Trustees Grapple with Financial Challenges and Proposed Federal Legislation

College Athletics Trustees Grapple with Financial Challenges and Proposed Federal Legislation

University trustees are struggling to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics, with only 32 percent understanding their fiduciary duties in this area, according to a survey by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). A recent AGB conference addressed these challenges, including financial issues and proposed legislation. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealed that 94 percent of Division I and all Division II athletic programs lost money in the 2023–24 academic year, with students heavily subsidizing these losses through tuition and fees. The Protect College Sports Act, which passed the Senate but awaits a House vote, aims to set federal guidelines for player eligibility, compensation, and grant antitrust protections to the NCAA, but faces hurdles in the House.
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Shippensburg University Receives Federal Grant to Support First-Generation Students

Shippensburg University Receives Federal Grant to Support First-Generation Students

Shippensburg University has been awarded a nearly $3 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This five-year grant aims to enhance retention and degree completion rates for first-generation, Pell Grant-recipient, and Pell-eligible students. First-generation students constitute 45 percent of Ship's incoming 2026 cohort and face a potential 12-percentage-point gap in first-to-second-year retention. The university plans to utilize the grant to expand its Textbook Network, thereby eliminating financial barriers to course materials, as national studies indicate a significant number of students skip purchasing required textbooks due to cost. Additionally, the funding will expand academic and student support services and increase participation in high-impact, work-based, and career-focused learning experiences. A new first-generation student lounge and study space has also been established in the Ezra Lehman Memorial Library.
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VCU Alumna Candice Smith to Deliver Commencement Address for Class of 2026

VCU Alumna Candice Smith to Deliver Commencement Address for Class of 2026

Candice Smith, a 2014 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), has been selected as the featured speaker for the university's December 2026 commencement ceremony. Smith, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, shared the news on Facebook, expressing her honor and promising a concise speech. Her career path after VCU included roles as a digital content producer and social media reporter for WWBT 12, where she eventually transitioned to an on-air personality. Smith credits her VCU education and connections, particularly with instructors Ryan Nobles and Sean Collins-Smith, for helping launch her television career. She was a student at VCU during the Rams' historic NCAA Final Four appearance in 2011 and met her husband at the university. This December, she will address thousands of graduates, faculty, and family members, following in the footsteps of past speakers like acclaimed actor and producer Tim Reid.
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Notes from Tracy Fuchs’ pre-NCAA Tournament presser

Notes from Tracy Fuchs’ pre-NCAA Tournament presser

Fuchs' thoughts ahead of the ‘Cats’ quest for a third-straight national title.
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No. 1 Navy to Host No. 4 Boston University in 2026 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Championship

No. 1 Navy to Host No. 4 Boston University in 2026 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Championship

No. 1 Navy to Host No. 4 Boston University in 2026 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Championship
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West Virginia University Seeks Student-Athlete Development Coordinator to Oversee Comprehensive Programs

West Virginia University Seeks Student-Athlete Development Coordinator to Oversee Comprehensive Programs

West Virginia University Seeks Student-Athlete Development Coordinator to Oversee Comprehensive Programs
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Faculty Association President Highlights Challenges of Community College Workload Amid Reports of High-Earning Professors

Faculty Association President Highlights Challenges of Community College Workload Amid Reports of High-Earning Professors

Sarah Thompson, president of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, has voiced concerns regarding the heavy workloads faced by community college professors. She stated that professors are expected to evaluate student progress and provide direct support without the aid of teaching assistants, a task she deems nearly impossible given the scale. Thompson specifically noted that teaching 30 classes in a week, as some professors reportedly do, makes it difficult to maintain quality instruction. This commentary comes amidst reports of professors like Thien-Huong Ninh Villarreal, who, in 2024, earned nearly $800,000 while teaching 30 sociology, ethnic studies, and business classes to approximately 1,100 students across multiple institutions. Chris Ferguson, an executive vice chancellor overseeing California’s community colleges, acknowledged that multiple teaching jobs are not inherently problematic unless the workload compromises engagement, feedback, assessment, or student support, in which c...
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Stephen F. Austin Women's Volleyball Team to Play LSU-UNO

Stephen F. Austin Women's Volleyball Team to Play LSU-UNO

Stephen F. Austin Women's Volleyball Team to Play LSU-UNO
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Protect College Sports Act, Co-Led by Senator Cantwell, Stalls in House, Likely to Die

Protect College Sports Act, Co-Led by Senator Cantwell, Stalls in House, Likely to Die

Protect College Sports Act, Co-Led by Senator Cantwell, Stalls in House, Likely to Die
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Michigan State Volleyball Seniors Announce Fifth-Year Return, Bolstering Team Culture and Future Prospects

Michigan State Volleyball Seniors Announce Fifth-Year Return, Bolstering Team Culture and Future Prospects

Michigan State Volleyball Seniors Announce Fifth-Year Return, Bolstering Team Culture and Future Prospects
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LSU Gymnastics Secures Nation's No. 1 Recruiting Class for 2027, Featuring Olympic and World Championship Medalists

LSU Gymnastics Secures Nation's No. 1 Recruiting Class for 2027, Featuring Olympic and World Championship Medalists

LSU Gymnastics Secures Nation's No. 1 Recruiting Class for 2027, Featuring Olympic and World Championship Medalists
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Higher Education Institutions Adapt Spaces to Better Serve Student Veterans' Diverse Needs

Higher Education Institutions Adapt Spaces to Better Serve Student Veterans' Diverse Needs

Higher education institutions are redesigning campus spaces to better support student veterans, moving beyond symbolic gestures to create functional environments. The University of South Florida (USF) has implemented a layered approach in its Office of Veteran Success on both its Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses. This design includes public and private zones, informal 'front porches,' lounge areas, and dedicated study rooms. Flexible multipurpose rooms are also incorporated to adapt to evolving needs, alongside specific areas for veteran student workers to foster peer mentorship and private counseling rooms for sensitive conversations. This initiative acknowledges that student veterans often balance coursework with work and family responsibilities, and may be older or returning after years of service, requiring spaces that offer choice, privacy, flexibility, and dignity.