The Key with Inside Higher Ed

Best-selling author, Inside Higher Ed columnist and educator John Warner joins IHE’s editor in chief Sara Custer to discuss how institutions can continue to help students learn and grow when AI threatens to do everything for them. Read John’s IHE column “Just Visiting” Check out John’s latest book More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI

Collecting and analyzing student data and then acting on any findings to support student success is a struggle for many institutions. Often data is in the wrong format, inaccessible to the right teams or there are so many analytics colleges don’t know where to start. Many administrators also lack the data literacy needed to make accurate, data-informed decisions. In this episode, we’re sharing a discussion Inside Higher Ed Editor in Chief Sara Custer had with higher ed leaders at IHE’s Student Success 2025 event. Courtney Brown, vice-president of strategic impact and planning at the Lumina Foundation, Elliot Felix, the higher education advisory practice lead at Buro Happold and Mark Milliron the president of National University bring unique experiences and perspectives to the question of how institutions can be data-driven and student centered. This episode is sponsored by the Gates Foundation.

Jessica Blake, a federal policy reporter with a focus on U.S. higher education, and Katherine Knott, a news editor covering higher ed trends, dive into the pivotal policy stories of 2025. They discuss the groundbreaking 'Big Beautiful Bill' (OB3) and its sweeping changes, including loan caps and Workforce Pell guardrails. The duo highlights the shifting federal-state relationship, the growing impact of anti-DEI laws, and potential reforms in accreditation. Listeners gain insight into the challenges and implications for higher education's future.

In her final episode of Voices of Student Success, Inside Higher Ed reporter Ashley Mowreader walks through some of the latest trends in student success in higher education including generative artificial intelligence tools, mental health resources for students, affordability in higher education and internship requirements for students. Later, hear from Joshua Bay, Inside Higher Ed’s new Student Success reporter, who started Dec. 4. This episode is sponsored by TimelyCare.

Tracy Hartzler, President of Central New Mexico Community College, leads initiatives to harness AI for student success. In this conversation, she dives into how the new AI-powered tool, CampusLens, addresses student retention and enhances institutional change. Tracy discusses the importance of responsive data, challenges with legacy systems, and the need for robust AI governance. She highlights the balance between risks and rewards in adopting new technologies, illustrating the potential for improved career outcomes for students.

David Watts, Director of the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence at Colby College, and Michael Yankoski, a teaching scientist and assistant professor, delve into how generative AI can enhance student success. They discuss Mule Chat, a platform that offers users a safe way to explore various AI models. The duo emphasizes the importance of flexible AI guidelines in a liberal arts context and highlights student-led tutorials as a means to foster AI literacy. Their insights reveal how adaptive strategies can empower students and faculty in navigating the evolving landscape of AI.

Katherine Knott, news editor at Inside Higher Ed, dives into recent higher education policies with Sara Custer. They discuss the controversial higher ed compact, revealing universities’ mixed reactions—some accept, some dodge. The conversation also covers alarming TRIO funding cuts affecting approximately 43,000 students and UVA's complicated fallout leading to their president's resignation. Finally, they explore how the Department of Education is functioning amid layoffs and the repercussions of the government shutdown on essential higher ed services.

In this engaging discussion, Shlomo Argamon, Associate Provost for Artificial Intelligence at Touro University, shares insights on integrating AI into education. He highlights Touro's philosophy of using AI as an assistive technology that enhances learning experiences. Topics include embedding AI competencies in the curriculum, faculty innovation grants for AI teaching, and the use of AI simulations in training for various professions. Shlomo also addresses concerns about gamification in education and the importance of maintaining human connections in the learning process.

Philip Gray, Op-Ed Editor at the Los Angeles Times, and Susan D'Agostino, a mathematician-turned-writer, explore the importance of public scholarship in today's world. They discuss how scholars can effectively pitch their ideas to editors, the pitfalls to avoid in op-ed writing, and the necessity of making academic work accessible to general audiences. Susan shares her transition from academia to journalism, while Philip emphasizes passion in writing to engage readers. Together, they encourage experts to step into public discourse.

James Frazee, the VP for Information Technology at San Diego State University, discusses the innovative Equitable AI Alliance aimed at providing AI literacy and tools to all students. He highlights the importance of collaboration among institutions to bridge the digital divide in education. Frazee also talks about micro-credentials as a way to equip students with job-ready skills and shares insights on shifting campus culture around AI. The conversation underscores the need for accessible learning and resource sharing in the evolving tech landscape of higher education.