The Key with Inside Higher Ed

In the final Key episode of 2025, IHE’s news editor Katherine Knott and federal policy reporter Jessica Blake join editor in chief Sara Custer to discuss the three stories that encapsulate the year in state and federal policy.

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.

In this episode of The Key, we're diving deep into what’s happening on Capitol Hill and inside the White House—and how it’s all affecting higher ed. Joining Sara Custer, IHE's editor in chief, is news editor Katherine Knott to unpack everything: the funding cuts hitting Minority Serving Institutions, restrictive policies upending life for international students and scholars, the latest twists in negotiated rule making around student borrowing, and yes—that Compact for Excellence in Higher Education everyone's talking about. Thank you to the Gates Foundation for sponsoring this episode. 

Zachary Pardos, an associate professor at UC Berkeley, discusses the game-changing role of AI in education. He highlights how his tool, CourseWise, helps streamline credit transfers between institutions, addressing the common issue of students losing credits. Zach reveals the breakdowns in transfer pipelines that lead to delays and frustrations for students. With insights into making the transfer process more efficient, he also unveils plans for a student-facing planner to help guide course selections. It's a vital conversation for anyone invested in enhancing student success.