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North Dakota State University Reports First Enrollment Decline in Three Years Amidst Growth in Key Programs

North Dakota State University Reports First Enrollment Decline in Three Years Amidst Growth in Key Programs

North Dakota State University (NDSU) has announced its first overall student enrollment drop in three years, with 11,609 students enrolled this fall, a 2.9% decrease from the previous year. This follows three consecutive years where enrollment remained static at 11,952 students. Despite the overall decline, NDSU has observed growth in specific areas. The university welcomed 840 first-time freshmen from North Dakota, marking a 4% increase, with over 600 of these students benefiting from the Bison Win Scholarship Program. Furthermore, NDSU's fall-to-fall first-time freshmen retention rate has slightly improved. Significant growth was also noted in academic programs critical to North Dakota's workforce needs, including a more than 10% increase in first-time freshmen in the College of Health and Human Sciences, a 24% increase in new nursing students, and a 31% increase in the College of Business finance program. The College of Engineering saw a 4% increase in first-time freshmen, with mechanical engineering up...

Salt Lake Community College Expands Latin American Studies with New Courses and Community Engagement

Salt Lake Community College Expands Latin American Studies with New Courses and Community Engagement

Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) has enhanced its Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) by introducing new interdisciplinary courses and fostering community engagement. CLAS at SLCC focuses on supporting Latin American-based activities, including teaching, research, and community involvement. This initiative is bolstered by a partnership with the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Utah, which has led to increased interest in Latin American topics and academic engagement. The new courses are designed to build interdisciplinary collaboration between different departments and provide students with opportunities to explore academic subjects through various lenses. These courses often involve an anchor course taught in English, supplemented by an additional weekly session in Spanish to discuss main course topics and study additional materials in the target language. Examples include ANTH 2900, ETHS 2999, and HIST 2999, all taught in Spanish and accompanying English-taught courses.

Higher Education Institutions Urged to Prioritize Faculty Civic Engagement for Democratic Mission

Higher Education Institutions Urged to Prioritize Faculty Civic Engagement for Democratic Mission

Higher education institutions are being called upon to better support and incentivize faculty civic engagement, both as citizens and scholars, to fulfill their democratic mission. While student civic engagement, particularly voting, receives significant attention, the civic contributions of faculty members are often overlooked or even discouraged. Faculty possess valuable expertise that could benefit communities, support civic organizations, and influence public policy. However, current academic systems, including promotion and tenure processes, often prioritize traditional research and teaching, viewing civic engagement as an 'extra' activity. Barriers such as limited opportunities for shared governance, lack of clear communication on permissible political activities, and the intense time demands of academic careers further hinder faculty involvement. This call to action emphasizes that faculty civic engagement is a critical component of higher education's role in fostering a healthy democracy.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The critics keep talking. New College keeps succeeding. | Opinion

The critics keep talking. New College keeps succeeding. | Opinion

Don't judge New College based on what the critics say. Just look at what the facts say about the school's success story.

DHS Tightens Student Visa Rules Amid Legal Battle, Impacting International Students' Work Opportunities

DHS Tightens Student Visa Rules Amid Legal Battle, Impacting International Students' Work Opportunities

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is implementing stricter rules for international students in the U.S., leading to uncertainty and reduced work opportunities. A federal judge recently issued a temporary block on a final rule that would have imposed a four-year cap on F-1 visas, which are commonly held by international students. This rule would have overturned the long-standing 'duration of status' policy, which allows students to remain in the U.S. for the entirety of their studies, including postgraduate education and authorized practical training, without needing extension applications. Under the proposed rule, students exceeding four years of study would require an extension-of-stay request. Separately, DHS announced changes to Curricular Practical Training (CPT), a temporary work authorization for F-1 visa holders. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, now requires more stringent administration of CPT approvals, asserting that ...

University of Mississippi Offers Course on Global Health Challenges and Policies

University of Mississippi Offers Course on Global Health Challenges and Policies

The University of Mississippi is offering a course titled 'PH 319: Global Health' as part of its Public Health curriculum. This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth examination of significant global health challenges, programs, and policies. The curriculum will cover current and emerging global health priorities, including infectious diseases, the impact of poverty, conflicts and emergencies, health inequity, and reforms within health systems. Additionally, it will explore major global initiatives aimed at disease prevention and health promotion. The course is available in both lecture and web-based lecture formats and requires a prerequisite of 24 earned hours. It is offered through the Department of Applied Sciences, focusing on Public Health Education and Promotion, and related areas such as Community Health and Preventive Medicine.

Weston and Ann Hicks Establish $1.6 Million Endowed Scholarship at Lehigh University

Weston and Ann Hicks Establish $1.6 Million Endowed Scholarship at Lehigh University

Weston Hicks '79 and Ann Hicks '80 have committed $1.6 million to establish an endowed scholarship at Lehigh University, set to begin in the 2026-27 academic year. This scholarship will provide full tuition, room, and board for need-based students. The couple's philanthropy extends beyond the scholarship, with additional gifts directed to the Center for Access and Success and the Lehigh Fund. These supplementary contributions aim to ensure that scholarship recipients can fully engage in campus life, covering aspects beyond just academic costs. The Hicks' decision to fund this scholarship was inspired by their experience sponsoring a first-generation student at New York University after Ann's cancer treatment at Weill Cornell Medicine, where they sought to support her physician's research. Their personal journey, from meeting at Lehigh in 1976 to their successful careers and philanthropic endeavors, underscores their belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of providing opportuniti...

UCLA Establishes First Digital Humanities Department to Address AI and Emerging Technologies

UCLA Establishes First Digital Humanities Department to Address AI and Emerging Technologies

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has launched the first digital humanities department in the United States. This new department aims to integrate humanistic studies with the exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. Students enrolled in the program will pursue bachelor's degrees in digital humanities, gaining a deep understanding of computational tools and technologies through the lens of culture, society, languages, and history. Dr. Todd Presner, a co-creator of the department, emphasized that the initiative comes at a critical juncture for AI development, highlighting the need to address ethical considerations, the origins of these technologies, and their societal applications. The curriculum will also cover broader implications, such as the digitization of cultural records. Beyond AI, the department will explore diverse subjects including 3D modeling for recreating ancient cities, design work, and social media analytics. For instance, Presner's HyperCit...

Harvard University's Legacy Forged in Colonial Massachusetts Explored

Harvard University's Legacy Forged in Colonial Massachusetts Explored

Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, traces its origins back to 1636. It was founded in New Towne, a...

Loyola Phoenix Criticizes 'Maximalist' Dorm Decor Trends Among College Students

Loyola Phoenix Criticizes 'Maximalist' Dorm Decor Trends Among College Students

Loyola Phoenix Criticizes 'Maximalist' Dorm Decor Trends Among College Students

Tulane University Expands Engineering Programs with New Mechanical and Electrical Degrees

Tulane University Expands Engineering Programs with New Mechanical and Electrical Degrees

Tulane University is significantly expanding its engineering offerings by reintroducing bachelor's degree programs in mechanical and electrical engineering, set to begin in Fall 2027. These additions are designed to address the growing demand for skilled engineers in rapidly evolving fields such as robotics, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and quantum technology across Louisiana, the Gulf South, and the nation. The university's School of Science and Engineering has been steadily growing, with a 25% increase in student enrollment and a 21% increase in faculty over the past decade. This expansion follows the reintroduction of civil engineering as a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 2025 and the launch of mechanical and electrical engineering minors in 2024, followed by master's degree programs in both fields. The new programs will integrate computation and artificial intelligence from the first year, reflecting the increasing need for engineers proficient in AI for design and problem-solving. Stu...

St. Mary's College Student Samantha Peña '28 Awarded Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service

St. Mary's College Student Samantha Peña '28 Awarded Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service

Samantha Peña, a student at St. Mary's College of Maryland, has been selected as one of 100 rising college juniors nationwide to receive the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. Peña, who is pursuing a double major in environmental studies and public policy, will participate in a two-year leadership development and scholarship program. This program was established by President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky. The scholarship aims to support emerging public service leaders by providing financial aid, an immersive work-travel experience, and access to a network of mentors. Peña's public service focus is on increasing access to fresh, whole foods and green spaces in densely populated urban areas, particularly those serving underserved populations. The scholarship provides up to $25,000 per year for tuition, a $10,000 stipend for a self-designed summer work-travel project, and a $2,000 Airbnb travel credit annually for ten years post-graduation. Addition...