Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

Last season, Jeff and Michael explored the reinstatement of the Pell Grant for incarcerated learners. The question now is what’s next for these learners and where can they actually get to use their federal funds? In this episode, Jeff and Michael look at the innovative College Unbound model with co-founder and president Adam Bush and Jose Rodriguez, the assistant vice president for community and belonging. College Unbound is an accredited college with a single degree and a model that allows learning to happen wherever it happens, in kitchens or even in prisons. The episode is sponsored by Ascendium Education Group.Key Moments(0:00) - Intro(1:15) - Innovative college model and accreditation(5:34) - Prison education program and its impact on inmates' lives(9:19) - Scaling a non-traditional college model(12:02) - College Unbound's innovative approach to adult education(19:31) - Higher education for incarcerated individualsLinksCollege Unbound

The Hechinger Report’s Jon Marcus and Chris Quintana of USA Today join hosts Jeff and Michael for a roundtable discussion to talk about recent headlines in higher ed. Jon discusses the impact of lower birth rates in Japan on university enrollment, while Chris dives into the current state of the Biden Administration’s student loan debt repayment plans. Other topics include efforts by universities to articulate the value of higher ed, the rollout of the simplified FAFSA, and culture wars on campus. The episode is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Ascendium Education Group.Key Moments(0:00) - Intro(2:47) - Declining college enrollment in Japan and US(8:04) - Student loan forgiveness and career centers in higher education(12:35) - College career preparation and job placement(14:37) - FAFSA simplification, college affordability, and higher ed news(20:25) - Higher education trends and challenges in the US 

How do you engage learners in the post-pandemic age? Hosts Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn are joined by Carrie Bartek, from Wake Technical Community College, and Randi Harris, from Portland State University, to ask some important questions: What has changed for students since the pandemic? And what needs to change moving forward to ensure students’ success? They consider the evolving landscape of higher education and the importance of addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of students to ensure their success in this new educational paradigm. The episode is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.Key Moments(0:00) - Intro(4:18) - College enrollment decline and re-enrollment during COVID-19(6:07) - Student success strategies during COVID-19 pandemic(15:22) - Transforming higher education to meet students' changing needs(18:47) - College enrollment trends and dual enrollment programs(23:12) - Innovating and improving student success in higher education

To kick off the new year, host Jeff Selingo welcomes Lynn Perry Wooten, President of Simmons University, for a conversation on the unique position of smaller universities in higher education. They discuss some vital concerns facing smaller universities like Simmons, such as combining less popular liberal arts majors, combatting dropping college enrollment numbers, and embracing online education programs. The episode is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Ascendium Education Group.Links MentionedStrategies for Digital TransformationKey Moments(0:00) - Intro(4:10) - Small college challenges and strategic planning(11:51) - Small college competitiveness and online education(19:58) - Leadership and collaboration in higher education(21:31) - Higher education leadership and decision-making(27:00) - Higher education data analysis and institutional growth(32:42) - Online education and revenue diversification at Simmons College 

Hosts Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn wrap up 2023 by discussing some headlines in higher ed, including the reaction on campuses to the Israel-Hamas War, the big changes afoot at 2U, and more college closures. The episode is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Ascendium Education Group.LinksNo Revenge for Nerds? Evaluating the Careers of Ivy League AthletesKey Moments(0:00) - Intro(2:29) - College campuses and generational divides(9:20) - Higher education challenges and solutions(13:31) - The decline of 2U and the future of online education(19:03) - Online education, university finances, and potential bankruptcy(26:14) - College admissions and career outcomes(32:54) - Nate Silver hiring preferences

David Leonhardt, New York Times columnist and author of "Ours Was The Shining Future," dives into higher education's pivotal role in shaping the American Dream. He explores the historical impact of the high-school movement and draws parallels to potential changes in higher ed today. The conversation tackles the question of college value amidst skepticism, the need for diverse educational pathways, and the increasing political polarization affecting public support for education. Leonhardt advocates for an inclusive and innovative approach to learning.

Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn take their conversation on the road with another stop on the Future U. Campus Tour, this time visiting the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. They sat down with president Santa Ono to discuss the future of higher education and Michigan's role in the local and global communities. Following that interview, Jeff and Michael had a discussion with a panel on a range of topics from sustainability to student wellness, and highlighting what it means in 2023 to be a public flagship with a national profile and serve the community at the same time. This episode is sponsored by Dell Technologies and Google Chrome OS.Key Moments(0:00) - Intro(4:54) - The role of the University of Michigan in the state and beyond(10:36) - Higher education, trust, and community involvement in Detroit(16:04) - The future of higher education and the Big Ten conference(21:37) - Mental health challenges in college students(27:41) - Mental health support for college students during pandemic(30:29) - Pandemic's impact on college experience and mental health(32:40) - Supporting international students at the University of Michigan(34:56) - Collective impact and sustainability in higher education(36:40) - Value of study abroad(42:45) - Global education and diversity at the University of Michigan(46:59) - Mental health supports for university staff(52:14) - Jeff Selingo's takeaways(54:07) - Michael Horn's Takeaways Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education NewsletterWebsiteLinkedInX (Twitter)ThreadsConnect with Jeff Selingo:Sign Up for the Next NewsletterWebsiteX (Twitter)ThreadsLinkedInConnect with Future U:TwitterYouTubeThreadsInstagramFacebookLinkedInSubmit 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 Part 2 of our conversation with Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, Chancellor of Reach University, we discuss why their model of the apprenticeship teacher is better than the traditional student-teacher model, how public universities that historically educated the bulk of teachers are following the Reach model, and how the idea can be scaled to other public-sector jobs in rural areas. The episode is sponsored by Ascendium Education Group.Links We MentionReach University Key Moments(0:00) - Intro(2:47) - Teacher training and education in rural areas(6:38) - Apprenticeship-based teacher education model and its potential expansion(10:08) - Teacher shortages and innovative solutions(15:58) - Job-embedded learning in various industries(17:33) - Education model for teacher preparation.(28:57) - Rural education and apprenticeships 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.

In too many rural areas, workers lack access to affordable training pathways to high-quality jobs. Jeff and Michael sit down with Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, Chancellor of Reach University, to learn about how Reach is addressing this challenge with an apprenticeship approach to teacher education. In the first of this two-part conversation, they discuss the theory and practice that informed Reach’s founding and the college’s innovative enrollment, training, and funding models. Michael considers how Reach’s clear focus helps keep their costs low, and Jeff discusses the importance of career-connected learning. The episode is sponsored by Ascendium Education Group.LinksAscendium Education GroupKey Moments(0:00) - Intro(2:45) - Innovative higher education model(4:57) - Rural teacher shortages and innovative solutions(8:28) - The importance of experience in education(11:54) - Alternative university model for teacher certification(17:57) - Education and career development(23:38) - Innovative teacher education model for rural areas

Author Ana Homayoun discusses cultivating relationships for student success in higher ed, focusing on social connections, soft skills development, and redefining success beyond grades. Topics include networking challenges, intergenerational relationships, and fostering meaningful connections in college.