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University of Rhode Island Recognized for Prioritizing Student Mental Health Services

University of Rhode Island Recognized for Prioritizing Student Mental Health Services

The University of Rhode Island (URI) has been named to the Princeton Review Mental Health Services Honor Roll for 2027, acknowledging its commitment to student mental health and well-being. This marks the third year of the honor roll, which surveys administrators from 739 institutions regarding their counseling, mental health, and wellness services. URI was among only 76 institutions to receive this recognition, scoring highly for its diverse mental health services, including individual and group counseling, and its robust connections to both on- and off-campus resources. The university was particularly noted for its continuity of care, featuring a full-time care manager who facilitates student connections with community providers and collaborates with identity-based organizations for specialized support. According to URI Counseling Center Director Cory Clark, this recognition reflects a strong campus-wide foundation and a collective understanding of the importance of mental health resources for student su...

Study Reveals Link Between Disaster Preparedness Knowledge and Mental Health in Higher Education

Study Reveals Link Between Disaster Preparedness Knowledge and Mental Health in Higher Education

A recent study by Adelphi University researchers Renée Rawcliffe and Dr. Beverly Araujo Dawson, in collaboration with CUNY, investigated the relationship between disaster preparedness knowledge, disaster-related stress, and post-disaster depression among students, faculty, and staff in higher education. Analyzing survey results from over 1,500 participants collected during the spring and summer of 2020, the study assessed stressors related to both Hurricane Sandy and COVID-19. Participants also provided feedback on their knowledge of various COVID-19 preparedness measures, including diagnosis, safety, treatment information, and access to essential services. The findings indicated that over 65% of participants experienced stress from the cumulative impact of both disasters, leading to a higher prevalence of depression than experiencing either event alone. Notably, students exhibited significantly higher depressive symptoms and less knowledge about preparedness measures compared to faculty and staff. The res...

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.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Students Engage in Cultural Immersion and Community Projects in Hawaii

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Students Engage in Cultural Immersion and Community Projects in Hawaii

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) students are participating in a B-Term '26 project center in Hawaii, focusing on cultural immersion and community-based projects. Lauren Mathews, co-director of the Hawaii Project Center and associate professor, noted that Hawaii, while U.S.-based, offers a fundamentally different cultural experience. During their 7-week term, students working on Interactive Qualifying Projects (IQPs) or Major Qualifying Projects (MQPs) engage closely with community organizations. This immersion allows them to become familiar with the Hawaiian language and the culture of environmental conservation and stewardship. Zoe Eddy, co-director and assistant professor, highlighted the Hawaiian concept of 'kuleana,' emphasizing reciprocal responsibility with the community and land, which shapes the students' work. Sam Van Saun '28, an electrical and computer engineering major, expressed anticipation for presenting deliverables to the town of Hauʻula, aiming to make a meaningful difference in the...

Georgetown University Students Face Reintegration Challenges and Credit Transfer Issues After Studying Abroad

Georgetown University Students Face Reintegration Challenges and Credit Transfer Issues After Studying Abroad

Georgetown University students returning from study abroad programs are encountering significant challenges in reintegrating into campus culture and navigating credit transfers. Despite the university's emphasis on global education and high participation rates in study abroad, students report difficulties balancing Georgetown's intense pre-professional environment with the more relaxed academic and cultural experiences abroad. Many students feel unsupported by the Office of Global Education (OGE) in their transition back to campus life. Issues include the demanding career-focused culture in Washington D.C., which prioritizes internships and club leadership, making it hard for returning students to catch up. Furthermore, the credit transfer process is often complex and decentralized, leading to confusion and frustration, with some courses not counting towards their intended requirements. Students like Rachel Miyamoto (CAS ’27) and Mia Chuma (MSB ’27) highlight the stark contrast between their abroad experie...

Albright College Eliminates 20 Academic Programs and 17 Faculty Positions Amid Financial Strain

Albright College Eliminates 20 Academic Programs and 17 Faculty Positions Amid Financial Strain

Albright College is eliminating 20 academic programs and 17 faculty positions as it confronts declining enrollment, financial difficulties, and new federal student loan policies. The Board of Trustees approved these changes on November 1, with students and faculty informed two days later. Affected programs include dance, painting, film & video, digital and strategic communications, public health, Holocaust studies, and women’s & gender studies. Administrators cited low enrollment as the primary reason for the cuts, noting that eliminated programs often had fewer than nine students majoring in them. The college's financial struggles have been ongoing for several years, marked by a material weakness in its latest audited financials and a noncompliance warning from its accreditor. New federal accountability standards from the U.S. Department of Education, which emphasize graduate earnings and educational value, also influenced the decision.

Joyce Abbott, Namesake of 'Abbott Elementary,' Delivers Keynote at UMES Veterans Dinner

Joyce Abbott, Namesake of 'Abbott Elementary,' Delivers Keynote at UMES Veterans Dinner

Joyce Abbott, the inspiration behind the hit ABC comedy 'Abbott Elementary,' served as the keynote speaker at the annual Veterans Day dinner hosted by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce. Abbott, an alumna of UMES, an Army veteran, author, and educator, shared her experiences and emphasized the importance of education and service. She highlighted her teaching career, during which she taught Quinta Brunson, the creator of 'Abbott Elementary.' Abbott stressed that every student deserves to be seen, supported, challenged, and encouraged, regardless of their future path. The event also raised funds for the UMES Silver Star Scholarship Fund, which assists servicemembers and their families in pursuing higher education.

Simpson University Opens New Veteran Success Center, Expanding Support Services

Simpson University Opens New Veteran Success Center, Expanding Support Services

Simpson University is set to open its new Maurice & Marianne Johannessen Veteran Success Center this December. This dedicated facility marks a significant expansion of services for student veterans, providing a permanent home after years of the center operating from various temporary locations. The new center, attached to the Hugh and Hazel Darling Center for Business, Technology and Engineering, is designed as a comprehensive resource hub. It will offer increased space for studying, community gathering, and direct access to external partners such as Shasta County Veterans Services and Our Hero’s Dreams, a veteran organization focused on mental health and suicide prevention. Andrew Tuggle, Director of the Veteran Success Center, highlighted the center's evolution from a modular building to a classroom, then a faculty office, and now a fully dedicated space tailored to the needs of veterans.

Grayson College Secures Grant from Swipe Out Hunger to Combat Student Food Insecurity

Grayson College Secures Grant from Swipe Out Hunger to Combat Student Food Insecurity

Grayson College has received a $4,000 grant from Swipe Out Hunger, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating food insecurity among college students. This funding will bolster the college's efforts to provide nutritious food through Vic's Market, its on-campus food pantry, from November 2026 through May 2027. The grant aims to remove barriers to student success by ensuring access to essential food resources. In addition to the financial award, Grayson College will join the Swipe Out Hunger Network, gaining access to operational guidance, professional development, discounted food supplies, and a nationwide network of over 1,000 campuses. This partnership will facilitate collaboration and the sharing of strategies to enhance campus food assistance programs. Vic's Market is part of Grayson College’s broader Grayson Cares program, which supports students beyond academics by addressing basic needs.

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.

Farmingdale State College Urges Students to Complete FAFSA for 2027-2028 Financial Aid

Farmingdale State College Urges Students to Complete FAFSA for 2027-2028 Financial Aid

Farmingdale State College is actively encouraging students to complete their 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) promptly. The college has set a preferred deadline of March 1 to ensure timely application of financial aid to student bills. Students are advised to visit studentaid.gov to fill out the FAFSA application and include Farmingdale State College's school code, 002858. The institution emphasizes that early submission can expedite access to funding for college costs based on financial eligibility. The Office of Financial Aid provides various support options, including phone inquiries, email assistance, virtual appointments with advisors, and multiple methods for submitting documentation. Students are also reminded to regularly check their Farmingdale email and OASIS accounts for updates on their financial aid status and awards. The college participates in federal and state aid programs and offers debt-management counseling and College Work-Study placement services.

Chaminade University Introduces New Marine Oceanic Sustainability Degree Program

Chaminade University Introduces New Marine Oceanic Sustainability Degree Program

Chaminade University of Honolulu is launching a new Bachelor of Arts in Marine & Oceanic Sustainability program, with applications opening in Fall 2027. This interdisciplinary degree is unique in Hawai’i, combining natural sciences like biology and oceanography with humanities disciplines such as psychology, law, and art. The program aims to prepare students for careers in marine-oriented fields, addressing the growing demand in the 'blue economy.' According to College of Arts & Sciences co-Dean Gail Grabowsky, Ph.D., jobs in the blue economy are expanding more rapidly than in other major sectors, as reported by the United Nations and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Justin Wyble, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English at Chaminade University, highlighted the program's interdisciplinary nature, emphasizing its blend of scientific rigor and thoughtful inquiry through humanities traditions. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a deep understanding and appreciation of Hawai’i...