Unlike other college rankings that rate institutions for their “prestige” and selectivity, the Washington Monthly’s College Guide and Rankings scrutinizes schools for what really counts – their commitments to public service, research and social mobility for their students.

Founded by an abolitionist minister as the first inter-racial, coeducational college in the South, tiny Berea College in Kentucky – with about 1,550 students – is an exemplar of this ideal. That’s why it’s ranked number one in the Monthly’s 2025 College Guide. Fully 99 percent of its students are low- and moderate-income students eligible for Pell Grants. They pay no tuition and graduate nearly debt-free. The vast majority ofgraduates remain in the region, contributing to its economy and growth.

Monthly Editor in Chief Paul Glastris spoke with Berea President Cheryl Nixon about the college’s philosophy, approach and formula for student success.

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Berea's Ranking

02:50 Understanding Berea College's Unique Model

06:17 Student Employment and Work College Model

08:32 Demographics and Community Impact

10:50 Academic Rigor and Career Preparation

13:20 Financial Accessibility and Student Debt

19:28 Berea's Endowment and Funding Model

22:09 Campus Life and Community Engagement

24:52 Admissions Process and Student Criteria

26:26 Dr. Nixon's Journey and Educational Philosophy

29:24 Berea's Lessons for Higher Education Today

The past president of Oregon Public Broadcasting says cuts to federal funding for public media could be catastrophic for rural communities in his state. Our guest is Steven Bass, who stepped down as president of Oregon Public Broadcasting in 2024 after 19 years. He calls public radio a “lifeline” for rural communities in his state.

Hosts: Anne Kim and Garrett Epps

Until about a decade ago, the Texas GOP epitomized traditionalsmall-government conservatism. It championed tort reform, deregulation, and a laissez-faire, business-friendly atmosphere that politicians would often contrast to the oppressive regime of  California.

But the election of Donald Trump has led to a peculiarphenomenon: the “Californi-fication” of Texas and the adoption of California-style tactics to impose a right-wing agenda. In this episode , journalist Christopher Hooks speaks with host Anne Kim about his recent article for Texas Monthly chronicling this shift.

No school can stand against the government’s limitless resources forever, says higher education finance expert Robert Kelchen.

In this conversation with host Anne Kim, Robert discusses the current financial pressures facing universities, including threats to international student enrollment and the increase in the endowment tax included in the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act.

Chapters

00:00 The Impact of Trump's Policies on Ivy League Institutions

04:01 Financial Pressures and Settlements in Higher Education

06:46 The Decline of International Student Enrollment

09:35 Cascading Effects on Smaller Colleges

12:20 The Changing Relationship Between Higher Education and Government

14:59 The Future of University Leadership

17:38 The Political Landscape of Higher Education

20:44 Advice for University Leaders in Turbulent Times

22:53 The Supreme Court's Recent Rulings

Donald Trump's destructive trade and tariff policies will leave America poorer and less competitive, argues trade policy expert William Reinsch, who speaks with host Anne Kim. And while the United States has shown itself to be an increasingly unreliable partner, the rest of the world is forming alliances without us, to our detriment. Reinsch also talks about the need for new US policies to address the economic discontent that has led to isolationist policies.

Guest: William Reinsch is senior adviser and Scholl Chair emeritus with the Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). 

Hashtags: #TradePolicy #GlobalEconomy #WilliamReinsch

Donald Trump's disastrous economic policies on trade, immigration and the federal budget - along with his threats to the Fed - are a perfect recipe for economic disaster.

Economist Rob Shapiro joins host Anne Kim to explain exactly why the US economy could be headed for a hard landing.

He talks about the impact of high deficits on domestic savings and interest rates, the role of foreign investors in the U.S. economy, the influence of tariffs and immigration policies on inflation, and why it's so crucial to keep the Fed independent.

Robert Shapiro is a Washington Monthly contributing writer, chairman of the economic consulting firm Sonecon, and a senior fellow at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. He has served as Undersecretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs under President Bill Clinton and as an advisor to the Obama administration.

#Economy #Recession #USPolitics #RobertShapiro

Don't miss this insightful discussion on the future of the U.S. economy. Subscribe now to stay updated on our latest episodes!

After years of slavish fawning over Vladimir Putin, PresidentDonald Trump has apparently made an abrupt about-face in his views on the Russian President. In the last week, he has threatened huge tariffs on Russia’s trading partners if Putin didn’t agree to a ceasefire; he’s also restartedthe flow of arms to Ukraine via third-party transactions with European allies.

But will Trump's new resolve on Ukraine hold? 

Washington Monthly Contributing Writer Tamar Jacoby, Director of the New Ukraine Project for the Progressive Policy Institute, joined Editor in Chief Paul Glastris, Politics Editor Bill Scher, Exective Editor for Digital Matt Cooper and moderator Anne Kim for this week’s episode of the Washington MonthlyPolitics Roundtable.

Anne Kim and Garrett Epps discuss the dangers of the SupremeCourt's increasing reliance on often unsigned emergency rulings – the so-called “shadow docket” - to rule in favor of President Trump's agenda. They also discuss the Court’s recent rulings limiting the rights of transgender minors and their parents and the erosion of the wall between church and state. Epps argues that the Court has forsaken its role as a co-equal branch of government and a check on executive power in favor of enabling Trump’s increasing authoritarianism.

This episode is sponsored by Montclair State University.

Located just 12 miles from New York City, Montclair State University is a public research university that’s helping students get from where they are now to where they want to be. Nationally ranked for social mobility and Washington Monthly’s Number 1 public institution in New Jersey, Montclair is the state’s premier public service institution. Learn more about what makes Montclair a university on the rise at Montclair.edu.

Now that Trump's signature domestic policy agenda - the "one big beautiful bill" - is law, what can Americans expect? Washington Monthly's Bill Scher, Matt Cooper and Anne Kim tell you what you need to know about how this bill will affect ordinary Americans. They also talk about the political risks Republicans face in passing this unpopular legislation and the backlash that is certian to begin. They also talk about the likely impact of tariffs, due to kick in this week, and the politics of immigration, where the Trump Administration's harsh tactics are beginning to backfire.