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The education landscape has transformed dramatically over the past six months, and we're only at the beginning of what promises to be a defining era for colleges and universities nationwide. As we wrap up Season 3 with our milestone 65th episode, we reflect on the seismic shifts reshaping higher education while looking ahead to even greater disruption in 2025 and beyond.

Throughout our journey, we've been fortunate to partner with forward-thinking sponsors who recognize the importance of having candid conversations about higher education's future. Organizations like Arizona State University, RisePoint, Open Classrooms, and others have enabled us to bring you insightful discussions with industry leaders who are navigating these challenging waters.

Season 4 promises to tackle the most pressing issues facing educational institutions today: the integration of artificial intelligence into learning environments, the policy impacts of the Trump administration, a new national accountability framework, and the fundamental reconsideration of higher education's value proposition. These aren't merely academic discussions—they represent existential challenges for institutions clinging to outdated models while students demand greater transparency and return on investment.

My final rant of the season addresses what's truly at stake: the future of higher education as a vehicle for economic mobility and societal advancement. From the new Workforce Pell Program to accountability frameworks centered on ROI, the message is clear—higher education must confront its shortcomings in affordability, accessibility, and demonstrated outcomes. Leaders who hide from these challenges, who abandon institutional missions in the face of political pressure, will find themselves on the wrong side of history. Instead, we need bold leadership that embraces change while maintaining an unwavering commitment to equity and student success.

Which kind of leader will you be? Join us for Season 4 as we continue to pull back the curtain on the people, policies, and politics shaping higher education's future. Subscribe now so you don't miss a single episode of what promises to be our most revealing season yet.

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The higher education landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, with a new focus on measuring value and ensuring economic mobility for students. In this revealing conversation with Kelly McManus, Vice President of Higher Education at Arnold Ventures, we explore the reconciliation bill currently moving through Congress and its far-reaching implications for colleges, universities, and most importantly, students.

At the heart of this policy shift lies a deceptively simple question: Are students better off for having attended a particular program? Both Democratic and Republican policymakers increasingly agree that programs receiving federal dollars should demonstrate their value through graduates' economic outcomes. The reconciliation bill represents this emerging bipartisan consensus, with provisions that would end Title IV funding eligibility for programs that leave more than half their students worse off than typical high school graduates.

Graduate education faces particularly significant changes, with the bill proposing to end the unlimited Grad PLUS loan program and institute caps of $100,000 for master's degrees and $200,000 for professional programs. This addresses growing concerns about the proliferation of expensive graduate degrees that fail to deliver proportionate economic returns.

McManus offers a compelling framework for low-income and first-generation student advocates: these vulnerable populations need protection from predatory programs that promise economic mobility but fail to deliver. True equity requires ensuring that all programs provide genuine value, not just access to debt.

Looking ahead, implementation will be crucial. Arnold Ventures is already working with states to develop credentials of value frameworks and scale evidence-based models like CUNY ASAP. As budgets tighten, institutions that truly center students rather than revenue will be those that thrive in this new accountability era.

Whether you're a policy professional, higher education leader, or concerned student, this episode provides essential context for understanding how the measurement of college value is fundamentally changing. Subscribe to the Rant Podcast for more insightful conversations on higher education's most pressing challenges.

https://www.arnoldventures.org/people?team=higher-education

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The American higher education system stands at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges that threaten its very foundation. In this revealing conversation, Eloy Ortiz Oakley sits down with Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education (ACE), to discuss how colleges and universities across the country are responding to these threats.

Mitchell, whose organization represents over 1,700 diverse institutions, offers a compelling perspective on how higher education is uniting across traditional dividing lines. "Higher ed sticks together, especially in times of crisis," Mitchell explains, highlighting the solidarity forming among institutions from community colleges to elite research universities as they face common threats from policy changes, funding cuts, and declining public confidence.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the devastating impact of recent research funding cuts, which Mitchell calls "one of the single worst policy initiatives" of the current administration. Beyond the immediate layoffs at institutions like Johns Hopkins and hiring freezes at the University of California, Mitchell paints a vivid picture of the long-term consequences: potential medical breakthroughs abandoned, the next generation of scientists left without training, and top researchers fleeing to more welcoming countries.

Perhaps most refreshing is Mitchell's candid acknowledgment of higher education's self-inflicted wounds. From dismal completion rates to opaque admissions processes at elite institutions, he doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable truth: "We've earned some of the disrespect we're being treated with." Mitchell outlines ACE's "Higher Ed Builds America" campaign, which aims to refocus all institutions on their primary mission: student success.

Looking forward, Mitchell offers a compelling vision of education transformed through artificial intelligence—not merely as a technological tool, but as a force that could revolutionize student services, faculty capabilities, and learning itself. His call for integrating humanities scholars into AI development to ensure technology partners with humans rather than replaces them reveals a nuanced understanding of both innovation's promise and its potential pitfalls.

What emerges is a portrait of an education leader determined to guide institutions through turbulent times by returning to higher education's core purpose: creating opportunity and success for all students. For anyone concerned about the future of American higher education—whether educator, policymaker, or citizen—this conversation offers essential insights into the challenges we face and the changes needed to overcome them.

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What happens when artificial intelligence meets human connection? Magic, according to Andrew (Drew) Magliozzi, CEO and co-founder of Mainstay.

In this eye-opening conversation from the ASU GSV Summit, Drew reveals the surprising secret behind effective AI in education: human involvement. After a decade of deploying conversational AI to support college students, Mainstay discovered that having just 2% of messages sent by actual humans triples the effectiveness of their system. Students feel comfortable being vulnerable with AI because it doesn't judge them, but they need that human connection to feel accountable.

The results speak volumes. When Georgia State University partnered with Mainstay to combat "summer melt" (students who commit but never show up), they saw a 27% reduction in melt and a 4% boost in enrollment. When they expanded to supporting students through graduation, they helped approximately 1,200 students avoid dropping out.

Drew takes us behind the curtain of AI implementation, sharing the moment when GPT-4's release prompted him to tell his team to "stop everything" and pivot their entire approach despite having patents on their previous methods. This adaptability highlights a crucial lesson for educational institutions navigating today's AI landscape: focus not just on what AI can do, but what it should do to amplify desired outcomes and close achievement gaps.

The conversation explores AI's potential to transform education fundamentally – from providing personalized, on-demand learning experiences to shifting assessment from summative to truly formative. Drew envisions AI not as a replacement for educators but as an "Iron Man suit" that enhances their capabilities.

Whether you're an education leader wondering how to approach AI implementation, a faculty member concerned about its classroom impact, or simply curious about how technology can make education more personal rather than less, this conversation offers valuable insights about the human-AI partnership that's quietly revolutionizing student success.

Curious about how AI and human support can work together to transform your institution's student experience? Listen now and discover why the future of education technology isn't about replacing people – it's about empowering them.

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Ellie Bertani, CEO of GitLab Foundation, revolutionizes philanthropy with a data-driven approach that puts measurable economic impact at the center of every grant decision. This eye-opening conversation reveals how GitLab Foundation aims to generate at least $100 in increased earnings for every dollar they invest – a "North Star 100X goal" that guides their work across the United States, Colombia, and Kenya.

What happens when you apply financial modeling to philanthropy? Bertani explains how her foundation builds ROI projections for every potential grant, allowing them to identify high-impact opportunities that might otherwise go unfunded. This approach enables GitLab Foundation to take calculated risks on innovative, sometimes "crazy" ideas that more conservative funders might avoid – precisely the role philanthropy should play in our ecosystem.

The conversation explores GitLab's unique partnerships, including their collaboration with OpenAI and the Balmer Group on an AI for Economic Opportunity Fund. These partnerships amplify their impact while ensuring emerging technologies benefit those who need them most. As Bertani notes, historically, technological advances haven't immediately helped lower-income communities – a pattern she's determined to break.

Against the backdrop of political uncertainty and growing scrutiny of philanthropy, Bertani shares why GitLab's focus on measurable outcomes and economic mobility for Americans remains vital. Her journey from early-career nonprofit work to the Gates Foundation to leading frontline workforce initiatives at Walmart and Wells Fargo uniquely positions her to bridge sectors and maximize impact.

For foundation leaders, nonprofit professionals, and anyone interested in evidence-based approaches to creating opportunity, this conversation offers practical insights on measuring what matters. How can philanthropic dollars drive real economic change? What does true partnership between funders, grantees, and industry look like? Listen now to discover how data-driven giving can transform lives.

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When higher education comes under attack, who stands up to defend its core mission? In this compelling conversation, Chancellor John King of the State University of New York brings his unique perspective as a former high school teacher, Secretary of Education under President Obama, and leader of a major education advocacy organization to address the most pressing challenges facing American universities today. Chancellor King doesn't mince words as he articulates how SUNY maintains its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion despite political headwinds: "For us, diversity, equity, inclusion is in our DNA." He shares concrete examples of how SUNY serves 370,000 degree-seeking students while ensuring campuses remain places of belonging for everyone, regardless of background. The conversation takes a sobering turn when discussing research funding cuts threatened by the current administration. "It's a disaster for the country," King explains, detailing how the proposed $79 million reduction in NIH funding alone would devastate critical research on cancer treatments, Alzheimer's, and 9/11 first responder care. "Our international competitors are laughing at us," he notes, calling this a "willful dismantling of our competitive advantage. "Drawing on his experience as Education Secretary, King provides a masterful breakdown of the Department of Education's four essential functions – from supporting vulnerable students to protecting civil rights – and why dismantling it would harm America's future. He outlines potential areas for bipartisan progress, including thoughtfully designed short-term credential programs and renewed investment in research that could usher in "a golden age" of scientific advancement. For anyone concerned about the future of American higher education, this conversation reveals both the gravity of current threats and a path forward rooted in demonstrating value and serving communities. As Chancellor King advises emerging leaders, we must be "obsessed with demonstrating value" – both economic and civic – while building strong peer networks to navigate these challenging times.

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The drumbeat against higher education continues to grow louder. In this revealing conversation with Janet Napolitano—former Arizona Governor, Secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama, and President of the University of California—we explore the existential threats facing America's great research universities.

Janet pulls no punches when discussing the political headwinds threatening higher education. With potential cuts that could strip "billions of dollars" from research universities like UC, we're witnessing what she describes as "eating our seed corn"—jeopardizing the very innovation pipeline that has powered America's global leadership. Graduate students, who become tomorrow's researchers and innovators, are already feeling the impact as professors hesitate to hire them amid funding uncertainty.

Equally concerning is the assault on First Amendment rights on campus. While Janet clearly disagrees with many of the protest positions on issues like Gaza, she warns that universities have historically been strongholds of free speech—and current efforts to punish institutions and students for protected expression marks a dangerous shift in American values.

Perhaps most illuminating is Janet's description of public universities as "the secret sauce for how the United States has become the top performing economy in the world." This isn't just rhetoric—it's backed by decades of evidence showing how accessible higher education creates social mobility and economic prosperity. Yet this story isn't reaching enough Americans, as costs rise and communication failures allow stereotypes to flourish.

For those feeling overwhelmed by today's political polarization, Janet offers practical wisdom: limit social media consumption, contact your representatives, and organize around issues you care about. "Democracy takes work," she reminds us. "You can't just be a passive recipient of democracy." In these challenging times for higher education and democratic institutions alike, her experienced voice provides both warning and hope.

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Republican political consultant Mike Madrid joins host Eloy Ortiz-Oakley to examine the seismic shifts occurring in American democracy through the unique lens of Latino voter behavior. As co-founder of the Lincoln Project and author of "The Latino Century," Madrid brings data-driven insights that challenge conventional wisdom about minority voting patterns. The conversation delves deep into how Latino voters—now America's largest minority voting bloc—are transforming the political landscape. Madrid reveals compelling evidence that Latinos aren't becoming more conservative but more populist, rejecting both major parties at unprecedented rates. "The Republican Party is winning Latino votes despite their best efforts, not because of them," Madrid explains, detailing how economic concerns consistently outweigh identity politics for this diverse demographic. His analysis of multi-generational shifts within Latino communities offers a fascinating window into America's changing electorate. The discussion takes a particularly thought-provoking turn when examining higher education's precarious position in today's populist moment. Madrid argues that colleges and universities have become deeply vulnerable by institutionalizing ideological frameworks without demonstrating clear economic returns. "The cash-on-cash return on investment of higher education in the digital age isn't really bearing out," he notes, explaining how the college degree has become America's most significant political dividing line—more so than income or geography. Madrid's insights offer essential guidance for higher education leaders navigating these turbulent times. He challenges institutions to strip down to fundamentals and rebuild for a digital age where information flows horizontally rather than through traditional hierarchies. For anyone seeking to understand the forces reshaping American democracy and higher education's place within it, this episode provides illuminating perspectives that transcend conventional political categories.

https://www.amazon.com/Latino-Century-Americas-Transforming-Democracy/dp/1668015269

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The pursuit of higher education has always been seen as a pathway to success, but how effectively are colleges serving low and moderate-income students? In this episode, we engage with Michael Itzkowitz to unveil the California Mobility Index, a new tool that examines how various institutions rank in terms of creating genuine opportunities for their students. The Mobility Index serves not merely to illuminate which colleges offer the best return on investment but to challenge traditional perceptions of educational value.

As we navigate through this enlightening discussion, we discover how the index highlights institutions that are already making strides in advancing economic mobility. Most notably, it emphasizes the role of public and Hispanic-serving colleges in providing essential support to a wide array of learners and delivering impressive results when it comes to true value in education. 

Throughout our conversation, we also tackle pressing questions surrounding the allocation of taxpayer funds and the necessity for effective government oversight of educational institutions. Given the dynamic landscape of today’s workforce, understanding which colleges are best suited to extend opportunities is vital for both economic growth and social equity. 

Join us as we dive deeper into the statistics, share insights into the findings, and encourage listeners to think critically about their own educational journeys. We invite you to reflect on what it means for a college to create real value and how the California Mobility Index can facilitate better decision-making for students and families alike. Don't miss this opportunity to broaden your perspective on higher education and explore paths toward equitable access to quality education. Be sure to tune in, share your thoughts, and subscribe for more discussions like this!

https://collegefutures.org/california-mobility-index/

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What if the challenges plaguing the edtech sector are actually opportunities in disguise? Join us as we welcome Phil Hill, the publisher of the On EdTech newsletter, who offers a wealth of insights into the complexities of the education technology landscape. Together, we tackle the financial struggles of major players like 2U and Anthology while uncovering the potential for stabilization and growth. Phil also sheds light on the groundbreaking role of generative AI in education, discussing the lessons gleaned from the LA Unified School District's AI tutor initiative.

The discussion takes a turn into the nuanced realm of education policy, where intense polarization has shaped the U.S. Department of Education's decision-making processes. From the influence of organizations like the Heritage Foundation to the efforts of the Bipartisan Policy Center, we explore strategies for finding common ground. Phil highlights the importance of Congress in shaping policy and shares thoughts on how bipartisan cooperation can focus on shared goals like school accountability and economic mobility, paving the way for progress in a divided climate.

As Linda McMahon prepares to step into her role at the Department of Education, we examine the strategic signals that could define her tenure. From potential appointments to regulatory shifts, we explore how changes could impact everything from online education to vocational training. Phil offers astute advice for higher education leaders, emphasizing the need for institutions to evolve structurally to meet the demands of modern learners and overcome financial hurdles. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that unpacks the trends and challenges shaping the future of education.

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