Features Archives - Higher Education Today

Dear President-elect Trump: Higher Education Builds America

Laurie Arnston — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:00:43 +0000

As you prepare to take office for a second time, we know you have ambitious plans to address the nation’s challenges and build a more secure and prosperous America. Achieving those goals will require contributions from many areas of society, and we urge you to see the value in partnering with our nation’s colleges and universities. Campuses across the country are deeply ...

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The Power of Personal Storytelling in Higher Education Leadership

Laurie Arnston — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:23:05 +0000

When I became president of the University of La Verne in 2011, I often shared the story of why I was drawn to this role—and why it resonated so deeply with my family’s values. My husband and I were committed to raising our daughters in a community that embraced inclusivity, service, and the transformative power of education. These were not just ...

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Good News About the FAFSA

Laurie Arnston — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 14:26:26 +0000

Millions of current and prospective college students were let down last year when the federal rollout of the new FAFSA form was badly bungled and delayed for months. The fallout from the resulting chaos and uncertainty was well-documented and widespread, including a drop in over 5 percent in first-year enrollment for fall 2024 linked at least in part to the FAFSA ...

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Leveraging AI to Support Student Mental Health and Well-Being

Laurie Arnston — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 17:50:56 +0000

The latest report on student mental health from Healthy Minds reveals encouraging data but also underscores the complex nature of this persistent problem and the ongoing need for comprehensive support. The traditional campus resources—counseling centers and wellness programs—are stretched thin, and higher education leaders are beginning to explore innovative solutions to provide this critical support. While there’s no easy fix, the ...

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Making Authentic Optimism the New Normal

Laurie Arnston — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 19:37:16 +0000

As we begin the 2024–25 academic year, campus leaders are confronting a convergence of challenges that make optimism feel more like a balancing act than a given. Pressures that include enrollment, finances, politics, and ongoing concerns over campus safety are weighing heavily on institutions and presidential leadership across the country. While the start of the academic year is traditionally accompanied by ...

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FAFSA for All: A Game-Changer for College Access in Alabama

Laurie Arnston — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 15:00:59 +0000

Early in my career as an education data analyst, I was chatting with the new counselor at a rural Georgia high school. She described a particularly challenging student named “Joey,” a troubled but bright young sophomore. When she sought advice from a veteran teacher, the response was disheartening: “Honey, don’t you worry about that child. We’ve had problems with that family ...

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Beyond the Culture Wars: The Real Story of State Policy and College Campuses

Laurie Arnston — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 21:12:45 +0000

“There is a lot that state legislatures can do to reverse the illiberal takeover of higher education,” according to the Manhattan Institute in its 2023 issue brief, Abolish DEI Bureaucracies and Restore Colorblind Equality in Public Universities. As the field of play in issues from abortion rules to labor policy and workers’ rights shifts from Capitol Hill to individual statehouses, state ...

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Disability and Higher Education: Insights for Campus Administrators

Laurie Arnston — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 14:08:50 +0000

Colleges and universities are at the forefront of a cultural shift, as the experiences of COVID-19 and the perspectives of Gen Z students catalyze a more open dialogue about the social and contextual implications of disability. However, disability encompasses a wide range of conditions and manifests differently in each individual. Students with disabilities face extra steps in higher education, carrying the ...

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Why Higher Education Is Still Our Country’s Greatest Defense

ACE — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 16:35:27 +0000

Above: The 7oth National Security Forum, May 7-8, 2024 at the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. In today’s world of shifting geopolitical relationships, growing concerns about national security, and increasing global economic competition, what keeps us safe goes way beyond just tanks and troops. A recent National Security Forum at the Air War College highlighted a surprising but ...

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Creating and Sustaining Wellness Cultures for Faculty, Staff, and Students to Thrive

ACE — Mon, 13 May 2024 18:35:49 +0000

Recent studies have shown a clear link between workplace culture and well-being. People who feel supported and valued at work experience less burnout, depression, stress, and anxiety. Culture shapes how we feel emotionally, and it even influences whether we consistently engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors. While changing a culture takes time and effort, the benefits for everyone’s well-being make it worthwhile. ...

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Beyond March: Supporting Women on the Path to the College Presidency

ACE — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:46:13 +0000

In the wake of Women’s History Month, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on the significance of our efforts to honor and uplift women. Amidst the flurry of acknowledgments and celebrations we see every March, there’s a deeper conversation to be had about how we support women on their professional journeys in higher education. We know the numbers. The ...

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Cultivating a Culture of Civility and Meaningful Dialogue on Campus During Elections

ACE — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 20:16:19 +0000

Elections always present a unique chance for university leaders to transform their campus into a space for constructive dialogue, educational opportunities, and critical thinking. In 2024, as divisive election rhetoric intensifies, we have a greater responsibility than ever to foster a culture of civil discourse on our campuses. A presidential election year is a perfect opportunity to lean in on pressing ...

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