Lumina Foundation is committed to increasing the proportion of Americans with high-quality degrees, certificates and other credentials to 60 percent by 2025. | Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times SHARE: Facebook • LinkedIn Often called "the People's University," the California State University system is poised for a major reset as it changes its ultimate goal post from a four-year degree to a good job. Specifically, the nation's largest four-year university system plans to boost efforts to link higher education with clear employment payoffs, offering students more intentional advising on choosing a career path of interest, selecting the right major for it, and networking with alumni and others to land related internships and jobs. | Jamie Merisotis, Forbes SHARE: Facebook • LinkedIn Half a year after the Class of 2024 donned caps and gowns, even some highly skilled graduates are struggling to find jobs in their field or at the level they expected. At times like these, it might be worth reminding new graduates that, despite the slow start, most will see significant benefits from their college degrees over the course of their careers. The bottom line is something students rarely hear from their advisors: The first job is just the beginning of the workforce journey. As with so many other things in life, a career isn’t about where a person begins, but where they’re headed, writes Lumina Foundation's Jamie Merisotis in his latest column for Forbes. | Jack Stripling, College Matters SHARE: Facebook • LinkedIn As the presidential election fast approaches, we’re hearing a lot about a few things: the economy, immigration, the war in Israel and Gaza. These might not sound like issues that have much to do with how colleges and universities do business or the lives of faculty and students on their campuses. But in fact, the biggest issues of this campaign are deeply connected to higher education. On this podcast, higher education insiders discuss what this presidential election might mean for colleges and universities and why it matters to more Americans than one may think. | Lois Elfman, Diverse Issues in Higher Education SHARE: Facebook • LinkedIn Students from all backgrounds and demographics face serious mental health challenges as they navigate their learning pathways, suggests a new report from the Center for Community College Student Engagement. Recommendations to address the challenges that today's learners face include engaging college employees in all areas and at all levels to be more attuned to students’ mental health and being informed so they can connect students with mental health resources and help foster a sense of belonging. This involves reaching out to students, rather than putting the onus on students to ask for help. | Ashley Mowreader, Voices of Student Success SHARE: Facebook • LinkedIn Internships are a high-impact practice that can help students gain valuable career skills—including a professional network, on-the-job training, and résumé experiences—that they can take with them after graduation. Yet despite the powerful outcomes of internships, not every student is able to participate in one. Many of these students are first-generation college goers, low-income individuals, and community college students, as well as students of color. To meet this demand, some colleges are creating campuswide programs that equip students with career competencies through their on-campus work positions. | Alexa Ura, The Hechinger Report/The Texas Tribune SHARE: Facebook • LinkedIn Community colleges have long played a crucial part in recovering economies. But in Lockhart, Texas, the potential expansion of Austin Community College could serve as a case study of the role colleges have in emerging economies as local leaders and community members eye the economic growth on the horizon. Now it's up to voters to decide if it will happen. | Ramona Schindelheim, Work in Progress |
Adam Stone, EdTech Focus on Higher Education | Jeffrey R. Young, EdSurge |
Ryan Stowers, RealClearEducation | Johanna Alonso, Inside Higher Ed | Erin Adler, The Minnesota Star Tribune |
Jaye Fenderson, Diverse Issues in Higher Education |
Alexandra Lachman, Slate Magazine | Celinda Lake and Amanda Lovino, The New York Times | Reid Setzer, The Education Trust |
Abby Sourwine, Government Technology | Liam Knox, Inside Higher Ed | Center for Community College Student Engagement |
American Enterprise Institute | National College Attainment Network | |