Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE, joined by guest experts, lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more.
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We unpack the social constructs and systems of thinking about education through the story of our guests’ pursuits. Our aim is to reframe your notions of learning and schooling through real stories from people who are questioning the way we do things and who have made, or are in the process of making, change.
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dotEDU Live: Pause on Student Visas, Reconciliation in the Senate, and More Pressure on Harvard
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59:15In this episode of dotEDU Live, hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja offer expert analysis on the implications of the student visa freeze, mounting political pressure on Harvard from the Trump administration, and the House reconciliation bill, which proposes major cuts to higher education funding and threatens financial aid and ac…
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dotEDU Live: Associations Speak Out as Reconciliation Targets Higher Ed
59:29
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59:29Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer are joined by Steven Bloom, ACE assistant vice president for government relations, about the Trump administration’s escalating actions against higher education. Topics include a joint statement from more than 50 associations condemning political attacks on colleges and universities, deep funding and …
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dotEDU Live: The Trump Administration’s Pressure Campaign Continues
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59:20In this episode of dotEDU Live, Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja dive into recent executive orders on accreditation, foreign influence, and more. Also, they discuss key takeaways from the House reconciliation bill, new risks for federal student aid, and proposed changes to immigration policy affecting international students. Send su…
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dotEDU Live: Harvard Pushes Back, Visa Chaos, and the Fight for Research Funding
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50:08In this episode of dotEDU Live, the hosts unpack the Trump administration’s sweeping demands to Harvard—including oversight of teaching, governance, and student speech—and the university’s refusal to comply, a defining moment in higher education’s response to growing federal pressure. They also examine the surge in international student visa revoca…
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dotEDU Live: Latest on Dismantling of the ED, International Students, and Budget Issues
52:42
52:42
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52:42In this episode of dotEDU Live, Jon, Sarah, and Mushtaq unpack the sweeping policy shifts affecting higher education, including the executive order to dismantle the Department of Education (ED). They also discuss the legal and financial implications for institutions, potential changes to federal student aid, immigration policies impacting internati…
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dotEDU Live: What the Education Department Layoffs Mean for Colleges and Universities
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1:01:07The latest episode of dotEDU Live unpacks the sweeping layoffs at the Department of Education and their implications for colleges and universities. Hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja are joined by ACE President Ted Mitchell to break down the budget battle in Congress, the department’s restructuring, and the ripple effects on fin…
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In this episode of dotEDU, Sarah Spreitzer and Mushtaq Gunja give an update on the unprecedented workforce cuts at the Department of Education and share their concerns about the immediate and long-term implications for higher education. After that, the hosts take a look back at the troubled rollout of the new FAFSA system. Jeremy Singer, president …
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dotEDU Live: More Policy Shifts, More Uncertainty for Colleges
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53:01As colleges and universities face mounting federal scrutiny, dotEDU Live hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the latest developments from the Department of Education, the White House, and Congress. They discuss the Education Department’s revised FAQ on DEI policies, newly confirmed Secretary Linda McMahon’s plans for t…
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dotEDU Live: The Future of Campus Diversity and Student Support
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58:57The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has issued a sweeping directive declaring that race-conscious student programs, financial aid, and support services violate federal civil rights law—giving colleges just 14 days to comply. ACE President Ted Mitchell joins hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja to discuss the impl…
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dotEDU Live: New Orders and New Challenges for Higher Education
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46:48In this all-Q&A episode of dotEDU Live, hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the latest policy shifts, legal battles, and administrative chaos facing colleges and universities in the Trump administration’s first weeks. From the fallout of the now-blocked federal spending freeze to the uncertain future of DEI funding and…
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dotEDU Live: What the Trump Administration’s Funding Freeze Means for Higher Education
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1:06:10NOTE: Both parts of this episode were recorded before the administration rescinded the order. The Trump administration’s sweeping pause on all federal grants set off a wave of confusion and concern across higher education. But just minutes before it was set to take effect, a federal judge blocked the order, putting the freeze on hold until at least…
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dotEDU Live: Navigating Trump’s First Week
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47:05Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the early days of the Trump administration’s second term and its impact on higher education. With 28 executive orders already issued—many targeting DEI, immigration, and gender policies—the hosts analyze what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what’s likely to face legal challenges. Ke…
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dotEDU Live: ACE Fellows Go to DC (and Get Snowed in)!
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1:13:55In this special episode of dotEDU Live, hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer engage with the distinguished ACE Fellows, a prestigious group of faculty, staff, and administrators who are preparing for senior leadership roles in higher education. Jon and Sarah kick off the discussion with an overview of the recent election results and the shifts in…
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dotEDU Live: Higher Education’s Path Forward in Trump’s Second Term
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1:01:08In this episode of dotEDU Live, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are joined by a full team of ACE experts—Steven Bloom, Peter McDonough, and Emmanual Guillory—to take a deeper look at what the post-election landscape looks like for higher education policy. This episode covers key developments, including Linda McMahon’s nomination as Secretary of Ed…
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Changing History at Colegio de México: Silvia Giorguli
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36:15In the third episode of our special series dotEDU Global Voices, hosts Sarah Spreitzer and Devorah Lieberman—ACE senior advisor and president emerita of the University of La Verne—welcome Silvia Giorguli, president of the Colegio de México (COLMEX), a hub of intellectual leadership in Latin America. From her efforts to expand research areas and fos…
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Discovering Your Leadership Path: Sue Cunningham
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36:55In the second episode of our special series dotEDU Global Voices, hosts Sarah Spreitzer and Devorah Lieberman—ACE senior advisor and president emerita of the University of La Verne—welcome Sue Cunningham, president and CEO of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), to discuss the importance of leadership, innovation, and buildi…
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Trailblazing Leadership in Turkey: Gülsün Sağlamer
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43:02In this three-part special series, dotEDU Global Voices, hosts Sarah Spreitzer and Devorah Lieberman—senior advisor at ACE and president emerita of the University of La Verne—host three trailblazing women featured in Devorah’s book Spotlighting Female Leadership: Strategies, Stories, Perspectives. This insightful book highlights the journeys of ten…
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dotEDU Live: What Trump’s Win and a New Congress Mean for Higher Education
1:00:58
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1:00:58In this special post-election episode recorded on November 6, ACE President Ted Mitchell joins hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja to discuss the 2024 election results and their implications for higher education. With Donald Trump returning to the White House, the conversation explores critical issues facing colleges and universi…
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Windward CC Chancellor Champions Student Parents
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39:11In this episode of dotEDU, Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja analyze the presidential campaigns so far and discuss what the upcoming lame duck session of Congress could mean for higher education legislation. Then, Sarah and Mushtaq engage in an inspiring conversation with Ardis Eschenberg, Chancellor of Windward Community College, ab…
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New laws enacted since 2020 may impact student voters, especially tighter restrictions on student IDs. ACE General Counsel Peter McDonough joins hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer to unpack what these critical changes mean for campuses. Jon and Sarah also discuss what Congress accomplished before leaving Washington, DC, to campaign for next mon…
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The First Amendment and Campus Protests: A Conversation with Cass Sunstein
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49:00Harvard legal scholar Cass Sunstein joins Mushtaq Gunja and Sarah Spreitzer to delve into the foundational role of the First Amendment in shaping responses to campus protests and free speech issues in higher education. Drawing from his latest book, Campus Free Speech: A Pocket Guide, written in the wake of the protests of spring 2024, Sunstein offe…
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dotEDU Live: Campuses, Congress, and the Campaign Trail: What to Expect This Fall
47:19
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47:19In the latest episode, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer kick off the sixth season with a deep dive into the key issues shaping higher education this fall. With Congress in a monthlong sprint, they explore a flurry of messaging bills along with the legislation lawmakers actually need to accomplish before heading out for full-time campaigning. They a…
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dotEDU Live: From Heat Waves to Fall Challenges
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47:32In this episode, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer give their insights into the current presidential election developments before they discuss decisions Congress faces prior to heading out for vacations and campaign trails. They tackle the latest developments in appropriations funding, and the markup of two House Ways and Means Committee antisemitis…
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State of the States: How Higher Ed Can Build Their Future
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45:51In this episode, Katharine Meyer of Brookings and ACE’s Heidi Tseu join Jon Fansmith to delve into the complex landscape of state higher education governance. They explore trends such as free college approaches, the surge of anti-DEI legislation, and the impact of the Supreme Court rulings on race in admissions. They also dissect the challenges and…
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dotEDU Live: Navigating the Current Landscape of College Sports
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42:38In this episode, ACE General Counsel Peter McDonough joins us to delve into the turbulent developments in college sports over the past year. Jon and Sarah then discuss recent House action on campus protests, the status of the FAFSA for the upcoming award year, and why higher ed should be watching the National Defense Authorization Act. Tweet sugges…
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The State of Student Affairs: Mental Health, Campus Protests, and Supporting Students
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48:09NASPA President Kevin Kruger joins the podcast to talk about the challenges facing students—and student affairs professionals—in 2024. On the agenda: the spring protests over the war in Gaza, student mental health, DEI, and how student affairs can support students during this time of almost unprecedented challenge. Tweet suggestions, links, and que…
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dotEDU Live: How Congress Is Responding to Campus Unrest
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46:06
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46:06In this episode, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss the campus protests that have been making headlines nationwide and how Congress and the Biden administration are responding to these concerns in Washington. They also talk about state challenges to the new Title IX regulations, some positive news regarding the rollout of the new FAFSA, a con…
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The Campus Speech vs. Safety Tightrope: A Conversation with Fred Lawrence
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38:18In a special episode, Fred Lawrence, secretary and CEO of Phi Beta Kappa, returns to dotEDU to help explain how tensions between free speech and campus safety can lead to the unrest happening at some campuses in response to the war in Gaza. He also addresses how campus communities of different viewpoints can and should move forward to address confl…
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Generating the Future: Exploring AI in Higher Education
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41:56In this episode, ACE hosts Jon and Sarah, alongside special guests Lev Gonick, chief information officer of Arizona State University, and ACE's Derrick Anderson, delve into the dynamic world of generative AI in higher education. They unpack its benefits, from personalized learning to groundbreaking research, while candidly discussing the challenges…
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dotEDU Live: Budget Battles, FAFSA Fails, and Biden's New Loan Forgiveness Plan
47:14
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47:14With Congress back from spring break, Jon and Sarah look at what's on the agenda in DC, including a House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing on “FAFSA Fail,” President Biden’s newly unveiled student loan forgiveness plan, and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona’s testimony on Biden’s education budget request. They also preview the latest …
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College Admissions in 2024: "A Year Like No Other"
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32:40Hosts Jon and Mushtaq are joined by ACE President Ted Mitchell to examine the complexities of college admissions in 2024. They discuss the potentially devastating impacts of the problems with the redesigned FAFSA form, reflect on the repercussions of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on race in admissions, and examine the issues surrounding legacy admi…
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dotEDU Live: Student-Athlete Unions and the Mental Health Crisis in Higher Ed
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44:15ACE’s Steven Bloom, assistant vice president of government relations, joins hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer to explore the complicated relationship between student-athletes and unions. They also talk about efforts to get Congress focused on addressing the growing student mental health crisis on college campuses. Plus, they look at Congress’ …
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FAFSA Glitch Puts Students, Colleges in Limbo
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44:31
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44:31Hosts Jon and Mushtaq are joined by special repeat guest Justin Draeger, president and CEO of NASFAA, to talk about the Education Department’s flawed rollout of the new FAFSA form and the implications for students and colleges as well as what happens next. They also dive into the proposed legislation that would extend Pell Grants to short-term care…
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dotEDU Live: Is Higher Education Act Reauthorization Finally Happening?
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45:42ACE’s Emmanual Guillory, senior director of government relations, joins hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer to talk about the College Cost Reduction Act—the new Higher Education Act reauthorization bill from House Republicans—as well as the status of funding the federal government for FY 2024 and the latest on the Department of Education’s probl…
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Beyond Berkeley: Lessons from a University Chancellor on the Front Lines
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53:19Nicholas Dirks joins Jon, Sarah, and Mushtaq to discuss his new book City of Intellect and his time as chancellor of University of California, Berkeley. Dirks offers insights on critical campus issues like working with state governments and balancing free speech with safety. The hosts kick off the episode with an update on the problems with the Edu…
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dotEDU Live: New Year, Same Congress—What’s Next for Higher Ed?
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45:59In the first dotEDU Live of 2024, hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss how the 2024 presidential election might impact higher education. They also delve into problems with the new FAFSA, the latest House Higher Education Act reauthorization bill, short-term Pell, and more. Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast…
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AU President Shares Challenges, Triumphs of Presidency
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50:29As higher education enters the new year under heightened scrutiny from legislators, campuses are getting back to business. Jon, Sarah, and Mushtaq are thrilled to speak with ACE Board member and American University President Sylvia Burwell as she prepares to finish out her final year at the helm of the Washington, DC, campus. She talks about the ch…
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dotEDU Live: The Year in Higher Education Policy
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45:04In the final episode of the year, hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss the top higher education issues of 2023. The overarching theme is working through the chaos in Washington, and the lineup includes student loan forgiveness, the Supreme Court’s decision on race in admissions, institutional accountability, the uptick in international st…
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Carnegie Classifications Reimagined (dotEDU’s 100th Episode!)
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44:16Jon, Sarah, and Mushtaq are thrilled to mark the 100th episode milestone of dotEDU! Also, ACE President Ted Mitchell joins Mushtaq and Jon to dive into the upcoming changes to the renowned Carnegie Classifications along with Timothy Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Tweet suggestions, links, and question…
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dotEDU Live: The Pre-Thanksgiving Policy Roundup
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46:28
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46:28Hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are joined by their ACE colleague Steven Bloom to discuss how the never-ending threats of a government shutdown are impacting funding legislation for higher education. They look at the Education Department’s proposed timeline for the new FAFSA and what’s left for Congress to deal with after the Thanksgiving ho…
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Equity and Inclusion in Silicon Valley and Beyond
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49:21Cynthia Teniente-Matson, president of San José State University, joins the podcast to talk about her first year at the California campus in the heart of Silicon Valley, particularly how to create equitable spaces at public institutions. But first, ACE President Ted Mitchell talks about campus protests over the war in Israel and Gaza and how preside…
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dotEDU Live: Chaos in Congress and the Higher Ed Agenda
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44:08Hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss the House speaker race and its implications for the packed agenda—such as the ongoing spending battle—in Congress, as well as its impact on the Biden administration. Then Heidi Tseu, ACE’s newly appointed assistant vice president of national engagement, drops by to talk about the increased scrutiny hig…
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Higher Ed Trends to Watch with Scott Jaschik
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53:14Scott Jaschik, formerly of Inside Higher Ed, joins the podcast to talk about what he sees as the top 10 leading trends shaping higher education this year and his predictions for what’s ahead. But first, the hosts dive into the chaos happening in Congress this week, as the House tries to carry on without a Speaker while facing a looming shutdown. Th…
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dotEDU Live: What’s on the Policy Agenda for Higher Ed This Fall?
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46:35A government shutdown is looming on the horizon, and ACE’s Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are back to answer your questions and break down what this means for the higher education community, as well as other issues on this fall’s policy agenda. Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected]. Here are some of the lin…
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Biden’s Loan Forgiveness Program Fails Supreme Court Test. What Now?
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45:17Hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are once again joined by Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, to talk about what is happening on campuses in terms of financial aid now that the Supreme Court has struck down race-conscious admissions and the Biden administration’s student loan …
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dotEDU Live: The Supreme Court’s Ruling on Race and Admissions
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1:01:38The U.S. Supreme Court has released its long-awaited decision in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard and SFFA v. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, striking down colleges’ use of race-conscious admissions nationwide. Madelyn Wessel, senior counsel at Hogan Lovells, and Peter McDonough, vice president and general counsel at ACE, jo…
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Partnering to Solve Pandemic Learning Loss
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40:33The impact of years of COVID-19 pandemic learning disruptions is coming into focus, and the picture is not good. To address the challenges P-12 students face, the Biden administration launched the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS) in July 2022 and followed up last month with a call for colleges and universities to partner with their l…
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dotEDU Live: Gainful Employment Rules 3.0, Student Loan Payments Return
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41:44Hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are joined by Emmanual Guillory, ACE’s newest government relations staffer, to discuss the ongoing saga of the Education Department’s gainful employment rules. They open the show with a brief chat about how the debt ceiling bill will impact higher education funding, student loans, and more. Tweet suggestions, …
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Kelly Damphousse was a Canadian with dreams of playing in the NHL, who then became a correctional officer—four-year college was never part of the original plan. Now he’s president of one of the largest universities in Texas. In this episode, he explains how he plans to take Texas State University to the next level of research excellence and explore…
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dotEDU at ACE2023: Diversifying the College Presidency Is Essential
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44:13The American College President: 2023 Edition reveals that presidents of color make up a little more than one out of every four college and university leaders. While the undergraduate student population continues to diversify, people of color remain underrepresented in the presidency. Recorded live at the American Council on Education’s recent annua…
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