Higher Ed Spotlight
Hosted by Ben Wildavsky, a leading thinker in higher education policy, this series delves into the big questions facing the future of higher education. Sponsored by Chegg's Center for Digital Learning. Ben talks to leaders, academics, and innovators on the frontlines, working to solve the most pressing issues affecting students, from cost-effective and career-relevant education to how we can equip students for the future of work.
Thu, March 20, 2025
Author and Reformer Kathleen deLaski on What a Different Higher Ed Future Could Look Like
With traditional higher ed getting more scrutiny than ever in 2025, Kathleen deLaski, author of “Who Needs College Anymore?”, wants us to think much more expansively about exactly how we define college. Her goal? To make it more relevant, and more accessible, to more people. Kathleen, a former TV correspondent and founder of the influential Education Design Lab, explains that she used to be on the “college for all” bandwagon. But she’s become persuaded that college isn’t right for everyone, and that we urgently need more and better alternatives for the “new majority learners” who she argues haven’t been well-served by many colleges and universities. Higher Ed Spotlight is hosted and co-produced by Ben Wildavsky, in partnership with Antica Productions.
S3 E53 · Tue, December 10, 2024
How the CHIPS and Science Act Bridges Education and Industry with Shalin Jyotishi
The global race for technological dominance is transforming how nations approach education and workforce development. In the U.S., the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act is a multibillion-dollar initiative to boost semiconductor manufacturing, counter China’s influence, and drive economic growth. But what does this legislation mean for college students, higher education and workforce training? In this episode, Shalin Jyotishi, Founder of New America's Future of Work and Innovation Economy Initiative, unpacks the Act’s impact on higher education and workforce development. He highlights its potential to meet the rising demand for skilled workers in high-tech industries by investing in education and training programs. Shalin also explores how the Act aims to strengthen community colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), supporting innovative training programs and fostering opportunities in institutions that have traditionally been underfunded in high-tech workforce initiatives. We also examine challenges such as recent funding cuts to the National Science Foundation, political shifts, and the complexities of industrial policy. Shalin underscores the need for stronger collaboration between colleges and industry to align education with market demands and prepare students for the high-tech jobs of the future. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E52 · Wed, November 20, 2024
WGU President Scott Pulsipher on Bridging the Credentials Gap Through Competency-Based Education
Two-thirds of future jobs are projected to require post-secondary credentials, but too few workers hold them. Western Governors University President Scott Pulsipher explains how WGU is tackling this challenge with a new approach to higher education. Its innovative competency-based education model allows students to earn college degrees for skills they've already mastered, fast-tracking their preparation for the future workforce. Scott also discusses WGU's recent acquisition of Craft Education, a technology platform that helps convert on-the-job learning into academic credits. This acquisition supports innovative pathways that integrate work-based experiences with educational programs such as degree apprenticeships. Scott unpacks the role employers can play in upskilling their teams rather than hiring externally, as well as the cultural shift required to make higher education more accessible to everyone. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E51 · Tue, November 12, 2024
College Dreams on Hold: Harvard Professor Susan Dynarski on FAFSA’s Troubled Relaunch
The troubled launch of what was supposed to be a new and improved Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, has created frustration for students and parents. The widespread delays have left students uncertain about the future of their education and sparked headlines nationwide. In this episode, Ben sits down with Harvard professor and financial aid expert Susan Dynarski to unpack the FAFSA rollout and the turmoil it caused across higher education. The setback led to a significant drop in applications, especially among first-time college students. Susan explores why financial aid is essential to college access and examines what went wrong with the ambitious redesign. She also discusses potential solutions, from using tax data to simplify applications for students to the possibility of eliminating the FAFSA altogether. This conversation sheds light on what’s at stake for students nationwide and what changes are needed to make financial aid more accessible and equitable. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E50 · Tue, October 29, 2024
The Rise, Decline, and Return of Standardized Testing with Nicholas Lemann
In this episode of Higher Ed Spotlight, we speak with Nicholas Lemann, professor of journalism at Columbia University, about his latest book, Higher Admissions: The Rise, Decline, and Return of Standardized Testing. Twenty-five years after his seminal work, The Big Test, Lemann revisits the role of standardized testing in college admissions during a pivotal moment in higher education. With debates reigniting around the SAT—particularly following the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning affirmative action and the reinstatement of the test by some colleges—Lemann explores the SAT’s history in shaping the elite academic institutions, and its broader impact on student access to higher education. Lemann also considers the value of standardized scores and the potential move towards evaluating students through curriculum-based mastery. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E49 · Tue, October 15, 2024
Shaping Equity: John B. King, Jr. on Higher Education’s Role in Student Success
In this episode, John B. King, Jr., Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) and former U.S. Secretary of Education, explores the pivotal role public universities play in promoting student success and advancing equity in higher education. He discusses SUNY’s commitment to affordable education that opens doors to social mobility and economic advancement, particularly for low-income students and those from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. King addresses how institutions can continue to foster inclusion in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn race-based affirmative action. Shifting the focus to career readiness, King highlights SUNY’s efforts to integrate paid internships into college programs, helping students gain valuable workforce skills. Reflecting on his tenure as U.S. Secretary of Education, he shares his experience shutting down predatory for-profit colleges. This conversation offers a deep dive into how higher ed can shape a more equitable future for all students. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E48 · Tue, October 01, 2024
Can a Growth Mindset Transform the College Experience for Students?
In this episode, Dan Porterfield, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute and author of Mindset Matters, explains how fostering a growth mindset can unlock new learning and drive student success, empowering learners helping them to thrive in a world increasingly shaped by AI. He shares powerful insights from his years as an educator and mentor, introducing different kinds of student mindsets like the 'discoverer'––one that drives innovation through curiosity, driving breakthroughs that can reshape industries and communities. He highlights the need for education that prepares college students for lifelong growth while expanding access to underserved groups. Dan also gives practical advice, including how students can build a "life resume" to activate their growth mindset and succeed in college and beyond. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E47 · Tue, September 17, 2024
AI, Power Skills, and Degrees - Redefining the Future of Work
As the job market evolves at lightning speed, the conversation around skills, degrees, and higher education's role in preparing college students with both - has never been more critical. In this episode, Matt Sigelman, President of the Burning Glass Institute, explains degree inflation—the trend of requiring college degrees for jobs that previously didn’t need them. He explores why, despite the buzz, only a small fraction of employers have moved toward skills-based hiring instead. Sigelman also shares insights into how real-time skills data can provide a clearer understanding of the job market and the need for a blend of foundational and technical skills to achieve economic mobility. We explore the rise of what Matt calls "power skills" in the age of generative AI, and why it’s crucial to align education with these new realities to ensure workers and students are prepared for the future. Discover how skills are reshaping talent acquisition and what it means for the future of work. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E46 · Tue, September 03, 2024
Will Civil Discourse Be on the Back to School Syllabus?
Back to School, Back to Standoffs? CDI's Mission for Civil Discourse on College Campuses. As the back to school season begins, fostering real dialogue amongst students, faculty, and the broader community on college campuses has never been more urgent. In this episode, we spotlight the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) and its mission to promote civil discourse in higher education. Our guest, Mary Aviles, Insights & Experience Lead at CDI, reveals the critical behind-the-scenes work—like updating campus protest policies—that ensures fairness and readiness when conflicts arise. She also introduces CDI’s ‘Perspectives’ program, where students with different viewpoints practise tough conversations in a safe, peer-to-peer environment. A core principle of CDI, “letting go of winning,” is highlighted as a means to shift from debate to dialogue, nurturing relationships built on understanding rather than competition. With global tensions high and a heated U.S. election on the horizon, the need for constructive campus dialogue is clear. Discover how CDI is helping to transform debates into meaningful, relationship-building discussions. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E45 · Tue, July 09, 2024
Class Dismissed: How Covid-19 Exposed the Class Divide in Higher Education
Today we explore the hidden struggles faced by low-income students at elite colleges, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our guest is Anthony Abraham Jack, author of "The Privileged Poor," who sheds light on the often-overlooked challenges these students encounter. Jack's new book, "Class Dismissed," shifts focus to how external inequalities still affect students' college experiences. He argues that highly selective universities, despite their vast resources, often fail to support marginalized students adequately, prioritizing performative diversity over substantive help. Jack calls for universities to reassess their policies and genuinely support their most vulnerable students. He offers actionable suggestions for change - calling his new book both “a critique of what happened” and “an invitation about what could be.” Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E44 · Tue, June 25, 2024
Connections Are Everything: The Secret to Relationship-Rich Education
In a world increasingly dominated by phones and screens, the value of genuine human relationships in education cannot be overstated. We speak with Isis Artze-Vega, the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Valencia College, who is a leading advocate for relationship-rich education and co-author of "Connections are Everything: A College Student's Guide to Relationship-Rich Education." Isis shares practical advice for students on building relationships with peers, faculty, and staff, emphasizing the importance of these connections for academic success, mental health, and a sense of belonging. She also addresses common challenges like imposter syndrome and connecting with professors, particularly for first-generation college students. And she doesn't forget about parents, offering actionable strategies to help college-age children cultivate meaningful connections. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E43 · Tue, June 11, 2024
Revolutionizing Student Success: Insights from Georgia State
On today’s episode of Higher Ed Spotlight, we sit down with Tim Renick, executive director of the National Institute for Student Success at Georgia State University. Tim shares how his own journey as a student from a modest background at an elite Ivy League college profoundly shaped his approach to boosting student success at Georgia State. We explore how the university now has one of the fastest-improving graduation rates in the country, especially for underrepresented minority and low-income students. Tim delves into Georgia State’s innovative use of data analytics to identify at-risk students early, providing personalized support that has transformed student outcomes. He explains how the success of his initiatives drew attention from college leaders across the country, leading to the creation of the National Institute for Student Success, an organization dedicated to helping other institutions adopt Georgia States approaches. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E42 · Tue, May 28, 2024
Co-Intelligence: Navigating the AI-Human Partnership
This week, we are joined by Ethan Mollick, author of the New York Times bestseller 'Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI'. Ethan introduces the concept behind his book — co-intelligence — and explains the need for a collaborative relationship between humans and AI in which humans retain firm control over AI systems. He explores the transformative potential of AI across various industries, including the inevitable growing pains as jobs change or become obsolete. Ethan shares insights from his personal experiences with AI in the classroom. He believes there are real risks associated with its increasing use, such as cheating and deep fakes, but argues that AI will also play a part in the necessary democratization of education and enhanced learning outcomes Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E41 · Tue, May 14, 2024
On the Australian Outback, AI, and Becoming ANU’s Vice Chancellor
On today’s episode of Higher Ed Spotlight, we travel down under in a fascinating conversation with Australian National University's newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Genevieve Bell. We delve into her childhood experiences in Australia's Aboriginal communities, which shaped her journey to a PhD in cultural anthropology at Stanford and then her groundbreaking work at Intel in user experience. Genevieve explains how cybernetics evolved into AI. She highlights its quest to replicate human intelligence and the ethical questions that it raises for higher ed and our broader society. Genevieve ties these themes seamlessly to her leadership vision for ANU’s core research mission and the pivotal role that mission plays in social progress. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E40 · Tue, May 07, 2024
Can California Still Lead the Way in Higher Ed?
Today, we’re turning our attention to the world of higher education in California — a state where, in 1960, a master plan for higher ed was released that was hailed as a model for other states. However, six decades later, it may need a critical update to tackle current challenges in access and affordability. Su Jin Jez, CEO of California Competes, joins us to discuss the issues facing California colleges and universities – from equity gaps to better support for adult learners – and how their response may have lessons for other states. A key issue she highlights is California’s need for a coordinating entity at the state level to address turf battles within the higher ed system. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E39 · Tue, April 23, 2024
He Said What? The International Student Debate in Canada
This week we navigate the rocky terrain of the current Canadian higher education landscape with Alex Usher, the president of Higher Education Strategy Associates. The recent decision by the Canadian federal government to impose a cap on international student applications has reverberated across the student body, leading to internal conflicts among Canadian college leaders, including some pretty spicy name-calling. What’s driving this change in Canadian higher education? Could it signify trouble for the once-thriving trend of global student mobility? Alex unravels this complex and fascinating issue offering a clear, entertaining and, at times, shocking tale of the trials and tribulations of higher ed up north. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S3 E38 · Tue, April 09, 2024
Access is Good, But Completion is Better
Despite some success in American Higher Ed's efforts to increase accessibility to degrees and credentials, completion rates continue to disappoint. With over 40 million Americans in the "some college no degree” population, it's clear that the focus must now shift to supporting higher ed students - including adult learners - throughout their journey. Courtney Brown, vice president of Impact and Planning at Lumina Foundation, joins us to explore strategies for addressing this issue and the necessary changes institutions and policymakers need to make to reverse this trend. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
Trailer · Tue, March 26, 2024
Higher Ed Spotlight Returns for Season Three
Welcome back to Higher Ed Spotlight, a podcast that explores the key questions shaping the future of higher education. In our third season, we continue to delve into major debates with the country’s leading thinkers, while also expanding our conversations internationally. Our biweekly podcast starts April 09, 2024. Hosted by veteran journalist and higher education policy expert Ben Wildavsky. Sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning.
S2 E37 · Tue, December 12, 2023
Is A Degree Still Worth It?
In this bonus episode, we turn the tables. Ben Wildavsky discusses his new book, The Career Arts: Making the Most of College, Credentials and Connections. He makes the case for why degrees still matter, despite the popular rhetoric calling for skills-based hiring. Goldie Blumenstyk, a veteran reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education, guest hosts this episode. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions
S2 E36 · Tue, November 14, 2023
Free Speech, Civility and College Campuses
Battles over free speech and the boundaries of civility are roiling college campuses. Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway sees these as high stakes issues connected to student learning and their engagement with citizenship and democracy. He and a group of 12 other college leaders are reiterating the importance of free speech, respectful debate, and civility at their institutions. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E35 · Tue, October 24, 2023
Why Technical Skills Aren't Enough
Sally Kornbluth is the new president of MIT - probably the most prestigious STEM school around. But she also stands up for the arts and the humanities and champions their integration within the sciences. Sally believes that graduating students with great technical skills isn’t enough in today’s demanding job market, nor will rigid academic silos help us face our most pressing challenges, like climate change. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E34 · Tue, September 26, 2023
Why an Economist Believes HBCUs Are Owed a Debt
The Biden administration recently urged 16 governors to rectify their state’s chronic underfunding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities - HBCUs. That underfunding reached hundreds of millions to, in some cases, billions of dollars. Darrick Hamilton is an Economics Professor and founding director of The New School’s Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy. He argues for the proper funding of HBCUs, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions. In fact, he contends that HBCUs have done so much with so little, that a debt is owed to them. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E33 · Tue, September 12, 2023
How AI Forces Us to Rethink Higher Ed’s Role
Peter Norvig is a big deal in AI. He’s currently at Stanford's Human-Centered AI Institute. But he built his reputation mainly at Google, where he helped shape the most powerful and widely used search engine today. What does an AI expert have to say about higher education’s adoption of new technologies, the dangers of AI-assisted cheating, and the bigger question of academia’s purpose? Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E32 · Tue, August 29, 2023
Does Higher Ed Need to Be More Techy And Less Risk Averse?
Arizona State University President Michael Crow is known as an education innovator and early tech adopter. Most recently, his university turned to Hollywood to revamp its intro biology labs into a full VR experience. How does he navigate the concerns and often reluctance of higher ed to innovate around learning and tech? Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E31 · Tue, August 15, 2023
How to Survive the Enrollment Cliff
Higher education is in trouble. A declining birthrate means fewer young people applying to college. But what if we did more to cater to older students and not just recent high school grads? Eloy Ortiz Oakley, the President of College Futures Foundation and former head of the California Community Colleges system, has been advocating for higher ed to pay attention to the needs of adult learners for decades now. Are they the answer to the enrollment cliff? Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E30 · Tue, August 01, 2023
A Case Against the SAT
As colleges and universities continue to debate the usefulness of admissions tests like the SAT, we talk to FairTest’s Akil Bello. He argues that admissions tests aren’t good indicators of student success and that the SAT has come to mean way more than it should within and outside of the walls of academia. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E29 · Tue, July 18, 2023
Some Community Colleges Are Getting It Right
Rachel Lipson is the co-editor of the new book “America’s Hidden Economic Engines: How Community Colleges Can Drive Shared Prosperity.” She shares what the five community colleges profiled in the book are getting right and how they’re fulfilling the institution’s promise of community economic growth and student career advancement. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E28 · Tue, July 04, 2023
The Move for More College in Prison
After almost 30 years, incarcerated students are once again eligible to receive Pell Grants. It’s a significant move with reverberations beyond prison. But providing college courses to incarcerated students isn’t easy. Andrea Cantora, Director of the University of Baltimore’s Second Chance College Program, sheds light on the importance of this move, the bipartisan shift it signals from punishment to rehabilitation, and what it’s like to teach in prison. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E27 · Tue, June 20, 2023
A Futurist On Why Universities Can't Ignore Climate Change
“Universities on Fire: Higher Education in the Climate Crisis” is a provocative new book by author and futurist Bryan Alexander. He believes academia is uniquely poised to be a key player in the climate change debate and that the time has come for academics to step outside of the ivory tower and influence the public conversation. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E26 · Tue, June 06, 2023
Delivering on the Promise of Inclusive Excellence
A wide ranging interview with the new President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Valerie Sheares Ashby. We touch on the legacy she’s inherited of inclusive excellence, what it takes to diversify STEM, and the challenges of leading a major state university in the current political climate. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E25 · Tue, May 23, 2023
Why Grades Hurt Learning
Susan D. Blum is one of a growing number of educators questioning the role of grades in learning. She’s a professor and the editor of “Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead).” She advocates for a sweeping pedagogical shift based on the practice of ‘ungrading’ - not assigning a number or letter value to a student’s work. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E24 · Tue, May 09, 2023
Education Struggles of Men
The state of boys and men in higher education looks grim. That’s one of the key takeaways from Brookings fellow Richard Reeves’ latest book, “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It.” He discusses ways to help men and boys achieve equity in education, how focusing on men doesn’t mean you don’t care about women’s equality, and how ignoring men’s struggles can lead to further political polarization. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E23 · Tue, April 25, 2023
In Defense of Tests
Amit Sevak is the CEO of ETS - the leading testing organization behind the GRE and the College Board’s SAT. While higher education grapples with the role of tests in admissions, Amit defends the importance of assessments as crucial learning tools in and beyond the classroom, while also arguing for revolutionizing what they look like today. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E22 · Tue, April 11, 2023
It's Not Who You Know. It's Who Knows You.
Sheila Sarem is the CEO and founder of Project Basta - an organization that builds the social capital of first generation graduates of color. Sheila argues that degrees aren’t translating into good first jobs for some because of a gap in social capital - the invisible networks, information, and informal coaching that some students have access to and that others don’t, depending on their background. It’s often the missing piece, including the ‘it’s not who you know but who knows you’ part of it, that helps kick start a career. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
S2 E21 · Tue, March 28, 2023
Can Apprenticeships Make America Fairer?
We get a sneak peak into education and workforce expert Ryan Craig's upcoming book, "Apprentice Nation." In it he argues that more and better apprenticeships, beyond the trades, will help narrow the opportunity gap in America. He also believes apprenticeships can work with higher education in innovative ways to help students thrive in their careers. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg's Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.
Trailer · Tue, March 14, 2023
Higher Ed Spotlight Returns
Welcome back to Higher Ed Spotlight, a podcast about the big questions driving the future of higher education. In our second season, we continue to wade into major debates shaping higher education with the country's leading thinkers. Our biweekly podcast starts March 28, 2023. Hosted by veteran journalist and higher education policy expert Ben Wildavsky. Sponsored by Chegg's Center for Digital Learning.
S1 E20 · Tue, January 31, 2023
Students are Struggling. The Solution Isn’t Just More Counselors.
Even before the pandemic, campus mental health struggles were on the rise – one 2021 study found 60% of undergrads met the bar for a psychological disorder. Nance Roy, the chief clinical officer at mental health organization, The Jed Foundation, explains why students are under more stress than ever, and why hiring more counselors is only a small part of the solution. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, and aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E19 · Tue, January 17, 2023
Why the Gender Wage Gap Hasn’t Gone Away
Despite more women attending – and graduating – college than men, the average American woman still earns just 83 cents to every dollar a man does. In her latest book, “Career and Family”, economic historian Claudia Goldin says that, contrary to popular belief, discrimination doesn’t actually explain the wage gap. And that unless the structure and culture of work shifts, wage inequality is unlikely to go away. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, and aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E18 · Tue, January 03, 2023
Navigating the ‘Wild West’ of Alternative Credentials
With hundreds of thousands of alternative credentials on the market, but little data on how effective they are, how can students know which ones are worth their time? Sean Gallagher, the Director of the Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy at Northeastern University, has spent years trying to answer that question. And while he thinks alternative credentials could be the key to lifelong learning, he also says we need to be thinking more deeply about what’s working in the space – and what’s not. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E17 · Tue, December 20, 2022
What America’s Biggest Academic Labor Strike Ever Means for Higher Ed
When 48,000 grad students and other academic workers at the University of California went on strike, it garnered attention far beyond California and raised questions about the very structure of higher ed labor. Nelson Lichtenstein is a labor historian with a first-hand view of the UC strike, and he says what happened in California reflects bigger problems in an increasingly precarious workforce – not just in academia, but all over the country. Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, and aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E16 · Tue, December 06, 2022
Why the U.S. Needs International Students – And How to Keep Them Coming
Millions of students worldwide go abroad for higher education every year, and U.S. colleges have long been their top choice – but that may be under threat. International education expert Rajika Bhandari says the country’s immigration policies often ignore what these students bring to the table: bolstering college bottom lines, diversifying classrooms, and building the economy. Rajika spoke to Ben about her memoir, “America Calling,” and how she’d like to improve the “troubled tango” between the United States and the international students who call it home. Higher Ed Spotlight is a podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E15 · Tue, November 22, 2022
Can College Admissions Achieve Diversity in a Post-Affirmative Action World?
Black and Latino student enrollment was hit particularly hard during the pandemic, and a lot of those students still haven’t returned to campus. Angel Pérez, the CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, says an affirmative action ban would make it even harder for colleges to maintain racial diversity. He sat down with Ben to map out a different way forward, and to explain why we need diverse campuses now more than ever. Higher Ed Spotlight is a podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E14 · Tue, November 08, 2022
Affirmative Action May Be on the Way Out. Could That Actually be a Good Thing for Campus Diversity?
With the Supreme Court considering two cases that could spell the end of affirmative action, many are worried about what that might mean for campus diversity. Author Richard Kahlenberg has been pushing for a different kind of affirmative action for years. He sat down with Ben to explain why he thinks using a socioeconomic lens, rather than a race based one, could actually make higher ed more accessible – not less. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E13 · Tue, October 25, 2022
The College Rankings Controversy and Why This U.S. News Alternative Thinks It Has a Better Approach
The U.S. News and World Report college rankings have loomed large over American college choice for decades. And in that time they’ve been accused of being unreliable, skewing educational priorities, and perpetuating privilege. But in 2005, Washington Monthly introduced a different type of rankings. Ben sits down with editor in chief Paul Glastris to understand why he thinks the U.S. News rankings exacerbate inequality, how the Monthly’s version is different, and whether we need to rank colleges at all. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E12 · Tue, October 11, 2022
Anant Agarwal on MOOCs, Microcredentials, and the Democratization of Higher Ed
When Anant Agarwal founded edX, one of the world’s most popular MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), he had a vision of making higher education accessible to everyone. Ten years later, Ben sits down with Anant to see just how far we’ve come, how new ideas like microcredentials fit into that vision, and whether or not Anant’s decision to join forces with the for profit 2U was a threat to the MOOC ethos. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E11 · Tue, September 27, 2022
Can College Really Be ‘The Great Equalizer?’
There’s been a lot of debate about President Biden’s plans to erase a portion of the $1.7 trillion in student debt. But most analysts agree on one thing: high college costs aren’t going away. And while we figure out how to make college more affordable, economist Sandy Baum wants to ask an even more fundamental question: is college the “great equalizer” we often think it is? Ben sat down with Sandy to look at why college has become so expensive, and whether higher ed can truly “level the playing field”. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E10 · Tue, September 13, 2022
Can a Free Speech University Fix Higher Ed?
Like a lot of things in 2022, campus speech issues are pretty divisive. Some think colleges are ruled by cancel culture mobs. Others see social justice values making universities more inclusive. Which means that the University of Austin – a new college centered around free-speech – was bound to get people talking. Its founding president, Pano Kanelos, sat down with Ben to explain how he plans on turning the rather controversial plan into a real bricks-and-mortar institution. And why he thinks a new college may just be the antidote to our increasingly polarized discourse.
S1 E9 · Tue, August 30, 2022
Remote Learning Has Been a Struggle. This School Has Been Doing it Right for 50 Years.
When the pandemic hit, colleges and universities were thrust headfirst into the word of remote learning, sometimes with problematic results. But the Open University was more than ready – they’d been doing distance learning for more than 50 years. Ben sits down with Josie Fraser, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at “the OU”, to discuss how they’ve unlocked the full power of remote education. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E8 · Tue, August 16, 2022
Can We Reverse Falling College Enrollment?
Falling enrollment may be the most existential challenge faced by American colleges and universities today. There are nearly 10% fewer undergraduates than there were in 2010, and higher ed leaders are striving to reverse that trend. When Daniel Greenstein took over as chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education he inherited one of the most underfunded systems in the country – and one of the most expensive for learners. He sits down with Ben to talk about why enrollment has fallen, and what he’s doing to try and bring it back up. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E7 · Tue, August 02, 2022
How to Fix the College to Career Pipeline
Christine Cruzvergara is the Chief Education Strategy Officer at Handshake, an online platform that connects recent graduates to prospective employers. She sits down with Ben to discuss why the college to career pipeline is broken – and, more importantly, how to fix it. They look at why so many students feel lost after graduation, why traditional career centers aren’t always up to the task of finding students jobs, and how technology can make hiring more equitable. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E6 · Wed, July 20, 2022
How Universities are Failing Student Parents
When Nicole Lynn Lewis arrived on campus for the first time, she quickly realized there was very little support for student parents like herself. Now, as the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Generation Hope, Nicole has dedicated her career to advocating for student parents around the country – a group that makes up almost a quarter of all undergrads. She talks to Ben about the challenges she faced when she was a student, and why it’s crucial we start thinking of student parents as assets, not liabilities. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E5 · Mon, April 25, 2022
An Innovator’s Take on a Change Averse Industry
Tech entrepreneur, author, and former Princeton literature professor Ann Kirschner talks to Ben about the lessons learned from her extensive career across education, business, and tech. They discuss the relevance of the liberal arts to working life, what the public and private sectors can learn from each other, and whether long-established universities have the ability, and the incentives, to change. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E4 · Mon, April 25, 2022
Why Everyone Needs to Think Like a Computer Scientist
Charles Isbell, Dean of the College of Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology, talks to Ben about how the modern experience of the university is changing for students and faculty alike. He explains how race affects students’ experiences in higher education, how technology is reinventing student services, and why computer science needs diversity if it wants to solve the problems of tomorrow. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E3 · Mon, April 25, 2022
Is our Obsession with the Ivies Harming US Education?
Ben talks to Millie Garcia, President of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, about access to college and its benefits to society. They discuss her experiences as a first-generation college student, why state schools are more important than the Ivy League, and why a college education should be within everyone’s reach. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E2 · Mon, April 25, 2022
How the US Government Plans to Make College More Affordable
Ben goes to DC to talk with US Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal about the Biden administration’s priorities for higher education. They discuss student loan forgiveness, the regulation of for-profit colleges, and what the government can do to make college a safe investment for young people. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
S1 E1 · Mon, April 25, 2022
A Blueprint for a Students-First University
Ben sits down with Paul LeBlanc, President of Southern New Hampshire University, for a frank discussion of the challenges facing non-traditional students. They look at who is being failed by the status quo in higher education, why the sector struggles to drive social mobility, the case for competency-based education, and the importance of showing students they matter. Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast, sponsored by Chegg, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.
Trailer · Wed, April 20, 2022
Introducing Higher Ed Spotlight
Higher Ed Spotlight is a new podcast series hosted by veteran journalist and higher education policy expert Ben Wildavsky, and produced with sponsorship from leading online learning platform Chegg. The series takes a candid and unique look at the state of higher education today through conversations with the visionaries, academics and innovators on the frontlines shaping the future of learning.
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