Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

In this wrap-up discussion, the hosts explore transformative changes in higher education, driven by AI and recent federal actions. They reflect on a 'year of reckoning,' addressing political influences and challenges like declining enrollments. The conversation touches on the need for universities to redefine their core competencies and demonstrate value in a rapidly evolving landscape. Insights from guests throughout the season provide a rich context for understanding the future of academic institutions.

In this episode, former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift joins Jeff and Michael to explore how to rebuild the broken college-to-career pipeline. Now leading Education at Work, a nonprofit that provides work-based learning opportunities for undergraduates, Swift shares how her organization supports first-generation and Pell-eligible students with paid, career-relevant jobs during college. The conversation also dives into the policy vacuum left by congressional inaction, the role of states in driving innovation, and where bipartisan opportunities still exist in connecting higher education to the workforce. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group and the Gates Foundation.Publications Mentioned:Handshake 2025 Annual Report Chapters0:00 - Intro02:57 - Fixing the College to Career Pipeline14:48 - Building Soft Skills17:47 - The Higher Ed Policy Vacuum24:28 - Federal Policy Enablers for Work-Based Learning28:06 - State Governments to the Rescue?30:46 - The Opportunity for Bipartisanship Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education NewsletterWebsiteLinkedInX (Twitter)Threads   Connect with Jeff Selingo:Sign Up for the Next NewsletterWebsiteX (Twitter)ThreadsLinkedIn Connect with Future U:TwitterYouTubeThreadsInstagramFacebookLinkedIn  Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

With higher education policy increasingly driven by executive action, Michael and Jeff explore why Congress has been largely absent from the conversation—and what that means for students and institutions. They’re joined by James Kvaal, former Under Secretary of Education under the Biden Administration, and Preston Cooper of the American Enterprise Institute, for a bipartisan discussion about stalled reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, cuts to the Department of Education, the future of international students at American colleges, and more. This episode is made with support from the Gates Foundation.Chapters0:00 - Intro04:44 - The Cost of Congressional Inaction13:28 - Unlocking Movement on Higher Ed19:53 - Areas for Bipartisan Compromise23:15 - The Big Change We Need28:33 - The Impact of Cuts to the Department of Education32:58 - Immigration and International Students38:23 - Agreement Across the Aisle43:55 - Changes Since the Last HEA Reauthorization48:12 - Too Much Focus on the Elites? Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for The Future of Education NewsletterWebsiteLinkedInX (Twitter)Threads  Connect with Jeff Selingo:Sign Up for the Next NewsletterWebsiteX (Twitter)ThreadsLinkedInConnect with Future U:TwitterYouTubeThreadsInstagramFacebookLinkedIn  Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

In a special episode recorded at the Milken Global Institute, Jeff moderates a wide-ranging panel with higher education leaders including the presidents of Dartmouth, Stanford, UC San Diego, Yeshiva University, and the CEO of ETS. The conversation explores the crises and critiques facing higher ed—from campus protests and declining public trust to research funding and economic ROI. The leaders discuss how institutions can reaffirm their missions, serve a broader public, and restore faith in the value of a degree in an era of polarization and political scrutiny.Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for The Future of Education NewsletterWebsiteLinkedInX (Twitter)Threads  Connect with Jeff Selingo:Sign Up for the Next NewsletterWebsiteX (Twitter)ThreadsLinkedInConnect with Future U:TwitterYouTubeThreadsInstagramFacebookLinkedIn  Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Bill Ackman, an influential investor and Harvard alum, shares his candid critiques on higher education. He highlights governance challenges at Harvard, raising concerns about federal funding mismanagement and free speech issues. Ackman dives into fairness in admissions, questioning historical quotas and advocating for a more equitable system that considers socioeconomic backgrounds. He calls for reforms to emphasize personal traits over standardized tests, challenging the value of elite institutions amidst growing demands for change.

In a lively discussion, hosts dive into the turbulent landscape of higher education, addressing significant cuts at the Department of Education. They explore the challenges surrounding international student enrollment and the potential withholding of federal research grants. The conversation highlights the implications of these policy shifts for campus culture and civil rights enforcement. As they draw from recent research, they also emphasize strategies for leaders to foster a positive and inclusive campus environment amid these challenges.

In a special crossover episode, Michael and Jeff are joined by Chronicle of Higher Education reporter Jack Stripling to discuss a recent piece by the Chronicle: a March Madness-style bracket of the most memorable higher ed controversies of the last 25 years. The trio relives infamous scandals—from Jetgate and Varsity Blues to faculty feuds, presidential meltdowns, and that $550 olive jar. Along the way, they explore what these stories reveal about rising presidential compensation, the role of athletics in university life, the erosion of shared governance, and the shifting relationship between the public and higher ed. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group and Gates Foundation.Links We MentionHigher Ed Controversy Draft, College Matter from the ChronicleChapters0:00 - Intro5:12 - March Madness for Higher Ed Controversies8:53 - Controversies on the Bubble12:30 - Jetgate16:17 - The UVA Re-Hire20:01 - Presidential Compensation23:49 - The Prominent Role of Athletics in Scandals28:42 - Who’s Watching Higher Ed?31:38 - What Scandals Tell Us About Higher Ed Financing38:38 - The State of the College Presidency48:59 - Fighting Factions

Claire Fiddian-Green, President and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, dives into Indiana's groundbreaking efforts to emulate Switzerland's apprenticeship model. She discusses transforming high school graduation requirements and establishing industry-led talent associations. The conversation highlights the challenges of cultural shifts and stakeholder collaboration, aiming to create robust pathways that intertwine real-world work experience with education. Fiddian-Green emphasizes the crucial need for strong employer partnerships to redefine the value of apprenticeships in the state.

Mushtaq Gunja, Executive Director of the Carnegie Classification Systems and Senior Vice President at ACE, leads a critical discussion on the transformative changes to the Carnegie Classifications. He delves into how these new groupings aim to prioritize student access and earnings. The conversation uncovers the potential impact on institutional behavior, funding strategies, and the race for R1 status. Gunja also addresses the challenges of measuring outcomes and the need for clearer metrics to promote equity in higher education.

In this enlightening discussion, Rick Staisloff, founder of RPK Group, shares his expertise on college budgeting intricacies. He delves into the differences between centralized and decentralized budget models, shedding light on tuition discounting challenges. Rick emphasizes the need for data-driven decision-making and accountability to enhance financial sustainability. He also unpacks the significance of auxiliary revenues and the importance of adopting an ROI mindset to navigate today’s financial pressures facing higher education institutions.