Hi there Reader, Welcome back. This week, we're digging into the intersection of institutional strategy, federal overreach, and student loan reform. From campus data labs to billion-dollar showdowns with the federal government, the higher ed playbook is being rewritten in real time. Let's get into it. Rethinking the College Business Model with Matt Hendricks Founder, Perspective Data Sciences What if you could scan every college’s contracts, staffing levels, and pricing models—and flag costly...
8 days ago • 2 min read
Hi there Reader, The past two few weeks have ushered in significant changes for higher education institutions, with federal actions impacting operations, international students, and diversity initiatives. Here's a high-level overview of. Massive Layoffs at the Department of Education... To Continue? The Trump administration continues to make substantial cuts within the U.S. Department of Education, aiming to reduce its workforce by nearly half. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader, Higher ed is at a crossroads—and the data we rely on to navigate it is disappearing fast. Meanwhile, student debt is exploding, AI is accelerating, and the ground beneath colleges and universities is rapidly shifting. Student Debt & the Fight for Economic Mobility In my recent conversation with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles, we tackled higher ed’s most urgent and overlooked crisis... The cost of attendance vs. what today’s students actually need....
29 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader, Higher Ed’s Financial Model Is Cracking—Fast. From rising tuition thresholds to deep federal cuts, higher education’s financial landscape is shifting beneath our feet. Institutions that don’t adapt will struggle to survive. 🚨 What’s Inside This Week: Harvard raises its tuition-free threshold: What it signals for the sector. Ben Kennedy’s latest insights: The hard truths about financial sustainability. Federal layoffs gut the Education Department—what it means for data and...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi there Reader, Most universities are misaligned—and it’s costing them. I sat down with Ben Kennedy, CEO of Kennedy & Company, to talk about the real financial risks facing colleges today. Key Takeaways: Our pricing model is broken – Schools at 75% tuition discounting can’t sustain it. Yet most don’t have a plan to stop the bleeding. Your brand is your lifeline – If students think your institution is struggling, they won’t enroll. The wrong cost-cutting decisions make that perception...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Reader, Higher education is facing a perfect storm.... Rising costs, AI disruption, and now, direct political intervention into university operations. This week, we’re breaking down: 🚨 The $5B Funding Battle Over Columbia University The Trump administration has launched an unprecedented federal funding review into Columbia over its response to campus protests. If the administration follows through on its threat to cut funding, the impact could redefine the federal-university relationship—with...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader, The Exhaustion Epidemic in Higher Education A recent Chronicle article highlights a pervasive sense of burnout among faculty and staff in higher education. Key findings include: Overextended Faculty: Professors, like Celeste Chamberland at Roosevelt University, juggle numerous roles—from committee memberships to student advisement—leading to unsustainable workloads. Administrative Overload: The increasing administrative demands detract from core educational responsibilities,...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader, Higher education is caught in the middle of transformation—and behind the scenes, political dynamics, AI, and private equity are playing Some colleges will thrive, others will struggle. This edition breaks down where things are headed and what it means for you. The ‘Broken Rung’ in Higher Ed Leadership McKinsey’s The Broken Rung sheds light on why leadership pipelines stall and how institutions lose out on top talent. The report’s latest findings reveal: Leadership gaps are...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi there Reader, I hope things are going as well as possible... Per usual, I'm writing with insights from the fringes of the Acadmy... Why Small Colleges Might Hold the Key to Higher Ed’s Future When you think about Silicon Valley, small colleges might not come to mind... But Menlo College, led by President Steven Weiner, is proving why they matter in the ecosystem. In our latest conversation, Steven shared how Menlo is balancing size, personalization, and innovation: Retention through...
3 months ago • 2 min read