The Key with Inside Higher Ed

This series of Voices of Student Success focuses on adult learners in higher education, the various challenges they face as well as the successful support mechanisms employed to aid their retention and completion.   Continuing education programs are one way for colleges and universities to provide targeted offerings and credentialing opportunities for alumni, adults in the region lacking postsecondary education and the local workforce. They also provide flexible support offerings, recognizing the competing identities and responsibilities adult learners hold.   The School of Continuing and Professional Studies (CAPS) at Washington University in St. Louis houses certificate programs, undergraduate and graduate degrees, prison education initiatives and lifelong learning courses for adults in retirement.  In the most recent episode of Voices of Student Success, Sean Armstrong, dean of the school of continuing and professional education, talks about the program’s goals and ways the school uplifts adult learners of all types. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader, this episode is sponsored by Grammarly.  Read a transcript of the podcast here.

The ongoing uncertainty in the economy, the government demanding enormous sums from Ivy League institutions, research funding freezes and changes to the endowment tax mean that everyone has their mind on higher ed’s money and higher ed’s money on their mind. Kara Freeman, president and CEO of the National Association of College and University Business Officers joins Inside Higher Ed's editor in chief Sara Custer to share how NACUBO members are adapting their budgeting practices to respond to heightened unpredictability. Kara also explains how some colleges are diversifying revenue streams to meet the moment and discusses what she’s most concerned about when she looks at the federal policy landscape. Later in the episode, Dee Goines, the higher education lead at KI, joins Sara to discuss a new study that surveys the strategic and master plans of institutions in Texas, Arizona, New York and Florida.  Thanks to KI for sponsoring this episode. 

This series of Voices of Student Success focuses on adult learners in higher education, the various challenges they face and successful support mechanisms to aid their retention and completion.   Credit for prior learning (CPL) is one strategy colleges and states can employ to expedite adult learners’ progress toward degree and promote student success. Past research also shows that students’ who take advantage of f CPL opportunities have higher employment rates and increased earnings after graduation.  But administering CPL can be a challenge in part because of different departmental and academic disciplines’ understandings of and evaluation of prior experience.   In the most recent episode of Voices of Student Success, Colleen Sorensen, Utah Valley University’s director of CPL and student assessment services, discusses how her university is encouraging faculty and department heads to offer and promote CPL pathways.   Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader, this episode is sponsored by KI.   Read a transcript of the podcast here. 

In this episode, we’re bringing you a conversation between Inside Higher Ed’s senior editor for special content Colleen Flaherty and Stephanie Moore, an associate professor in organization, information and learning sciences, at the University of New Mexico, from the Digital Universities event in Salt Lake City earlier this year. A leading researcher in online learning, Moore addresses what she sees is a false binary between in-person learning and online learning, arguing that more modalities meets more diverse student needs and keeps colleges nimble. She also talks about where belonging fits into to online learning and what strategies educators can use to promote it. And drawing on Seneca and Quintilian she tells Flaherty why she thinks AI will be no more disruptive than any other communication technology that’s come before it.

Edward Conroy, a senior policy manager at New America, and Nick Graetz, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, delve into the pressing issue of eviction threats affecting parenting students. They reveal staggering statistics, showing that those facing housing insecurity are significantly less likely to complete their degrees. The conversation emphasizes the profound stress caused by financial pressures, which forces students to compromise on basic needs. They advocate for universities to implement vital resources and legal assistance, aiming for a comprehensive approach to support these vulnerable learners.

Katherine Knott, News Editor at Inside Higher Ed, dives into the shifts in federal higher education policy following the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill. She discusses staffing challenges at the education department and the implications for institutions like the University of Virginia amid federal pressures. The conversation also highlights new funding reforms, including changes to student loans and the significance of stronger FAFSA applicant rates. With exciting predictions for future legislative battles, it's a crucial update on the evolving landscape of higher education.

This series of Voices of Student Success focuses on adult learners in higher education, the various challenges they face and successful support mechanisms to aid their retention and completion.   Research shows that adults often enter college with a goal in mind, such as a career pivot, further education in their current industry or completion of a degree they previously started,. But returning to the classroom can be challenging, particularly for first-generation students or those who haven’t been in school for a while.  In 2024, Wichita State University launched a college bridge program, the Adult Learner Community and Connections Program, to ease the transition for adult and online learners. The program, part of the university’s “Shocker Pre-Season” series, offers them eight modules of self-paced, online content designed to assist them in their first term at the university.   In the most recent episode of Voices of Student Success, Brett Bruner, assistant vice president for student success and persistence at Wichita State, discusses adult learner pedagogy and the lessons learned in the program’s first year.   Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader, this episode is sponsored by KI.   Read a transcript of the podcast here. 

Kevin Yee, a leading expert in AI integration at the University of Central Florida, and Maricel Lawrence, an innovation catalyst at Purdue Global, dive into the dynamic intersection of campus culture and innovation. They highlight how bottom-up leadership and human-centered approaches can spark creativity in higher education. The discussion touches on the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI and new teaching methods, as well as the importance of collaboration. They advocate for engaging faculty fully in this transformative process, fostering vibrant learning communities.

Michael Logan, the Senior Director for Veteran and Military Affairs at the University of Texas at San Antonio and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, shares insights on supporting military-affiliated students. He discusses the unique challenges these students face in higher education, including the impact of military culture on academic identity. Logan emphasizes the importance of community support, the role of military-affiliated staff in fostering empathy, and the need for tailored programs that help with transition and belonging in college.

In this conversation, Kevin McClure, a Professor at UNC Wilmington and expert in higher education workforce dynamics, discusses the current struggles facing the academic workforce. He highlights the effects of hiring freezes and funding cuts on staffing and recruitment, revealing a decreasing ability to attract new talent. McClure also dives into the vital role of shared governance in addressing these issues, suggesting that participatory practices could be key to revitalizing the sector. Plus, he shares insights on the emotional toll these challenges have on educators and students alike.