Resource News

Amid Federal Upheaval, a Pell Shortfall Looms – Inside Higher Ed

A budget shortfall is looming for Pell Grants, the first such multi-billion dollar shortfall in over a decade. Unless Congress addresses this situation quickly, which seems unlikely in the next few months, there will be a severe impact on the 30% of American college students who count on this aid.

Federal Funding Uncertainty Prompts Hiring Freezes – Inside Higher Ed

The Trump Administration’s attempted overhaul of higher education, including a plan to have the National Institutes of Health cap research reimbursements, is causing financial worries for even the wealthiest institutions. The typical response from research universities has been to freeze hiring and compensation increases.

The Toxic (but Respectful) Workplace – Chronicle of Higher Education

A Chronicle survey fielded in the fall found that an overwhelming majority of respondents felt respected by their colleagues and nearly half of the respondents said that their workplace remained “generally productive.” A large minority, however, described their workplaces as “often dysfunctional” or “toxic.” These conflicting attitudes are examined closely in an effort to detail the upsides and tensions of the higher education workplace.

How Can College Leaders Navigate Mergers and Closures in 2025? – Higher Ed Dive

As the higher education landscape rapidly changes, institutional leaders may have to consider major changes such as mergers, acquisitions, closures, corporate conversions and strategic partnerships. The head of a major consulting group says that leaders should be disposed to accepting the facts of their situation, be willing to explore all strategic options, and be agreeable to accepting external help.

Legacy Admissions Tumbled Dramatically Over Past Decade – Higher Ed Dive

A study from the nonprofit Education Reform Now found that the share of four-year colleges using legacy admissions practices has fallen by about half since 2015. The declines are due in part to revamped diversity commitments as well as a handful of new state laws prohibiting legacy admissions.

College Leaders Galvanize to Fight the Anti-DEI ‘Chaos’ – Inside Higher Ed

Grassroots networks such as Education for All have sprung up in opposition to the tide of federal and state anti-Diversity, Equity & Inclusion legislation and rhetoric. Education for All offers a variety of resources, strategies, and tools aimed at trying to help higher education survive in a way its participants believe best serves students.

The Power of Students’ Stories – Faculty Focus

In educational settings, giving students an opportunity to share their stories can be transformative. Some ways to integrate storytelling in the classroom and some considerations for respectful storytelling are presented.

Students Share Thoughts on the Use of AI in Higher Education During Panel Discussion – University of Southern Mississippi

At The University of Southern Mississippi, students engaged in a panel discussion titled “Sharing our Perspectives: Student Conversations on AI,” exploring the role of artificial intelligence in higher education and its impact on their academic experiences.

How Higher Ed Institutions Are Using Built-In Generative AI Tools – EdTech

Higher education institutions are integrating built-in generative AI tools from platforms like Microsoft 365’s Copilot and Google Workspace’s Gemini to enhance learning and streamline administrative tasks.

‘Cheat-a-thon’ contest explores AI’s strengths and flaws in higher education – Penn State University

Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence is hosting a virtual “Cheat-a-thon” from March 3 to April 6, inviting faculty and students nationwide to explore the benefits and challenges of generative AI in academia. Participants will compete for $10,000 in prizes by submitting and answering questions designed to test AI’s capabilities in educational settings.

Higher Education Act for AI (HEAT-AI): a framework to regulate the usage of AI in higher education institutions – Frontiers

Researchers have introduced the Higher Education Act for AI (HEAT-AI), a flexible framework inspired by the EU’s AI Act, to guide the ethical and responsible integration of artificial intelligence in higher education institutions. HEAT-AI employs a risk-based approach, categorizing AI applications to ensure academic integrity and data privacy while promoting innovation in teaching and learning.

2025 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study: Into the Digital AI Divide – Educause

The 2025 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study reveals that while 57% of higher education institutions now view AI as a strategic priority, only 9% consider their cybersecurity and privacy policies adequate to address AI-related risks. The study also highlights a digital divide, with smaller institutions facing challenges in AI adoption compared to their larger counterparts.

Major Funding Cuts Are Coming For Higher Ed. Could AI Be The Lifeline? – Forbes

Facing significant funding cuts, higher education institutions are exploring artificial intelligence as a potential solution to address challenges such as declining enrollment and rising operational costs. AI offers opportunities to enhance educational delivery and administrative efficiency, potentially offsetting financial constraints.

How to create a higher education AI policy – Times Higher Education

Developing a comprehensive AI policy in higher education involves identifying policy leaders, surveying internal and external landscapes, building an AI advisory coalition, and defining clear objectives to guide ethical and effective AI integration.

The ROI Reality Check: What Students and Families Actually Care About in 2025 – Higher Ed Pulse

A look into what is driving enrollment decisions, exploring the key factors influencing students and families today and offer actional insights.

A Big Picture Look at AI Detection Tools – Teaching in Higher Ed

The hosts explore AI detection tools and discuss why students use AI in course work and how it can be included in curriculum.

What’s Next for Public Higher Ed? – EdUp Experience 

Highlights the transformative work going on at SUNY and it’s impact on public higher eucation in the US.

Will AI Transform College Accreditation? – EdUp Experience 

The hosts discuss the financial challenges facing higher ed, the potential impact of AI on the accreditation process, and the signifcance of the 90-credit bachelor’s degree initiative.

How AI Has Changed Student Cheating — And How to Respond – EdSurge Podcast

Discussion regarding preventing cheating with AI and how professors can adjust their teaching to help students maintain academic integrity.

Key Legal Issues College Faculty Need to Know – Teaching in Higher Ed

The hosts discuss educational laws and legal issues that can directly affect faculty.

Risepoint Impact Report 2024 – Risepoint

The report highlights the organization’s commitment to expanding access to education for underserved populations, emphasizing partnerships with universities to provide affordable, workforce-relevant programs that empower students and positively impact local communities. It showcases case studies demonstrating successful initiatives, such as addressing nursing shortages and supporting adult learners, while celebrating the support of over 750,000 students since inception.

Current Term Enrollment Estimates: Fall 2024 – National Student Clearinghouse: Research Center

The report analyzes current enrollment trends in higher education, indicating a positive growth trajectory for both undergraduate and graduate programs, particularly in community colleges and dual enrollment initiatives. It highlights the importance of adapting to evolving educational demands and the increasing interest in flexible learning pathways among students.

2025 Landscape of Higher Education Report – Education Dynamics

The report reviews trends in online learning enrollment, revealing a significant increase in student participation in online courses while highlighting ongoing challenges related to faculty acceptance and the legitimacy of online education. It emphasizes the need for data-driven strategies to enhance online learning experiences and outcomes moving forward.

Review Session 12 Years and 20 Reports Tracking Online – Bay View Analytics

The report discusses trends in online learning enrollment, highlighting a significant increase in students taking online courses over the years, while also noting persistent challenges in faculty acceptance of online education’s legitimacy. It emphasizes the importance of data collection and analysis to inform future strategies for enhancing online learning experiences and outcomes.

What It’s Like to Work in Higher Ed – The Chronicle

The Chronicle surveyed more than 4,000 employees at two- and four-year colleges in the United States about working in higher education. We heard from administrators, faculty members, and staff members about their experiences, opinions, and sources of satisfaction and stress. Here are some key findings.

Grapevine Fiscal Year 2025 – State Higher Education Finance

The report provides an overview of state funding trends for higher education, highlighting significant disparities across states and the impact of economic conditions on funding levels. It emphasizes the need for sustainable funding strategies to support equitable access to quality education and improve institutional outcomes.

FY 2024 Annual Agency Performance Report – U.S. Department of Education

The annual agency performance report outlines the strategic goals and objectives for fiscal year 2024, highlighting the assessment of 14 performance indicators, of which 12 met their targets. Key focuses include enhancing data governance, workforce development, and efficient acquisition management, with notable achievements in small business contracting and data transparency initiatives.

Improving Operations with AI: Case Studies – The Chronicle of Higher Education

Tuesday, March 11, 2025: 2pm ET

Higher ed has always been a place of critical thinking — an environment where students are taught to question everything and to accept nothing without proof. It should come as little surprise, then, that higher-ed faculty are struggling with AI adoption.

Belonging: The Proven Path to Recruit & Retain More Students – Inside Higher Education

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 2pm ET

Belonging is more than a feeling—it’s a “must have” to improve students’ commitment to enroll, start and thrive throughout their college journey. In this session, leaders from a range of private and public universities share how they increased enrollment, yield, retention and student well-being by creating intentional opportunities for students to connect meaningfully with their peers and institutions alike.

Gender Equality in Higher Education and Research – IAU

Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 11:00-12:30 ET

UN Women calls for more Rights. Equality. Empowerment on this IWD 2025. Therefore, EWORA and the IAU invite participants to discuss how higher education institutions can empower staff to take action in favour of Gender Equality – be it through Teaching and Learning, research, campus initiatives, or when engaging with the wider community. During the panel presentations, experts will share their perspectives on policies and institutional approaches, universal challenges and innovative approaches to foster collaboration, support for academics and staff, and interdisciplinary research and partnerships at the whole institution level.

Lessons Learned from a Revamped QM Subscriber-Managed Course Review Process – Quality Matters

Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 2:00 ET

UL Lafayette has conducted nearly 50 QM Subscriber-Managed course reviews: seven between 2019-2022 and 42 between 2022-2024. The increase in successful reviews was the result of a novel course review cohort model. This presentation will discuss (1) incorporating a cohort model in support of the established QM Subscriber-Managed review; (2) quantitative results reflecting the actual and perceived benefits to courses and faculty; and (3) lessons learned from implementing a cohort-review model.

Prepare Students for an AI-drive Future – Adobe

Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 8:00-9:00AM PST

Generative AI is transforming how we learn, work, and innovate. To prepare students for this fast-evolving landscape, higher education must integrate AI literacy across the curriculum — connecting academic work with workforce demands.

Using Microsoft Copilot (AI) in PowerPoint – Training Magazine

Wednesday, March 06, 2025 at 3PM ET

In this live demo, you’ll learn how to use the new Copilot in PowerPoint (plus we’ll do a quick demo in Word, too).

We’ll cover:

• Creating a presentation from scratch or from a document
• Editing a presentation, including re-organizing, replacing an image, and reformatting
• Getting help from Copilot, including how to do a task in PowerPoint, summarizing a presentation, and finding content
• Best practices for getting the best results, including prompt engineering What Copilot can’t do (at least not yet) and how to give Microsoft feedback

How Emotional Intelligence Affects Training, Coaching, and Learning Design – Training Magazine

Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 12PM ET

Understand the critical role of emotional intelligence (EI) in the context of training, coaching, and achieving success. This webinar will teach specific attributes of EQ and how to cultivate for better training and learning experiences.