Leadership


  • George Mason University sign
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    The image by Ron Cogswell is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    ‘Inadequate and deeply troubling’: George Mason AAUP votes no confidence in board

    The group blasted the governing body, alleging it failed to defend the university and its president amid successive investigations by the Trump administration.

    By July 23, 2025
  • A view of two campus buildings at George Mason University
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    The image by Ron Cogswell is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Trump administration opens a fourth probe into George Mason University

    The federal government is ratcheting up pressure on the institution through a flurry of investigations, with the latest focused on its admissions practices. 

    By July 22, 2025
  • A Temple University building.
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    Temple University to lay off 50 employees

    The public institution is cutting 190 positions in an effort to slash its $60 million deficit in half.

    By July 21, 2025
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    The image by TulGuy is licensed under CC BY 1.0
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    Column // College Closure Files

    Bacone College shut down after 145 years. What went wrong?

    The Oklahoma institution had shaky finances for years. And some insiders have accused it of straying from its mission of serving Native American students. 

    By July 14, 2025
  • University of Virginia
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    Joel Carillet via Getty Images
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    ‘Outrageous’: Democratic lawmakers speak out against UVA president’s forced resignation

    Jim Ryan abruptly stepped down following reports that the U.S. Department of Justice was pressuring him to resign over the university’s diversity efforts.

    By July 1, 2025
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    EvgeniiAnd/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Column // Merger Watch

    How can college officials know if they’re ready to lead ‘Big Scary Change’?

    They should consider if they hold views counter to successfully leading an institution through a merger or acquisition, one consolidation expert says.

    By Ricardo Azziz • June 30, 2025
  • A few students sit outside Temple University's library.
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    Anna Kapustina via Getty Images
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    Temple University eyes job reductions amid $60M deficit for FY26

    The public institution’s president said that enrollment is starting to rebound after a steep drop since 2017, but costs have increased much more quickly.

    By June 20, 2025
  • A college campus with a building in the background during fall.
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    sshepard via Getty Images
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    4 ways colleges can prepare for an uncertain future

    Federal funding and enrollment have been upended. But college leaders can take steps to ready their institutions for a changing landscape, consultants say. 

    By Lilah Burke • June 9, 2025
  • A sign reading "The Pennsylvania State University" at the entrance of the institution's main campus.
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    wellesenterprises via Getty Images
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    Penn State University’s board greenlights plan to close 7 campuses

    A 25-8 vote sets in motion the plan to pare down the university’s commonwealth campuses to 13 after spring 2027.

    By May 27, 2025
  • Harvard University, Lamont Library, Harvard library
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    Sophie Park / Stringer via Getty Images
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    Harvard University devotes $250M to sustain research hit by federal cuts

    The institution’s leaders said they have received multiple grant terminations since the Trump administration froze over $2.2 billion of its federal funding.

    By May 16, 2025
  • The Old Main building in the campus of University of Arizona in downtown Tucson, Arizona, USA. University of Arizona is a public education institution founded in 1885 with a student enrollment of more
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    aimintang via Getty Images
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    University of Arizona has balanced budget in sight after massive deficits

    A preliminary budget plan for fiscal 2026 would cut 3.2% across the board, with the largest reductions hitting administration and university support.

    By May 9, 2025
  • A White man wearing a blue suit and glasses looks out of frame pensively. He is standing in front of an American flag on a flag pole.
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    Anna Moneymaker / Staff via Getty Images
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    Indiana governor sued by state ACLU over university board control

    The lawsuit takes aim at last-minute provisions added to the state’s budget that allow Gov. Mike Braun to appoint all nine Indiana University trustees.

    By May 8, 2025
  • Podcast cover image featuring the title "EdTech Evolution" with logos for VitalSource and Higher Ed Dive, and an icon of a digital grade report.
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    Danielle Ternes/Higher Ed Dive
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    Sponsored by VitalSource

    [Podcast] EdTech Evolution

    Explore how digital tools are transforming accessibility and engagement in today’s evolving higher ed landscape.

    By Higher Ed Dive's studioID • May 6, 2025
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    Elon University

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    Sponsored by Elon University

    Undergraduate research thrives through faculty collaborations

    Intentionally building strategies for interdisciplinary research benefits both students and faculty.

    April 14, 2025
  • Street shot of New York University building in Manhattan
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    CribbVisuals via Getty Images
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    Scholar warns of chilling speech in higher ed after NYU canceled her presentation

    A prominent physician said university administrators nixed the event over concerns some material might be considered antisemitic and anti-government.

    By April 2, 2025
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    Joe Hendrickson via Getty Images
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    Northwestern University touts decline in antisemitic harassment amid lawmaker scrutiny

    The high-profile institution highlighted its efforts shortly after the Trump administration said it opened a probe over antisemitism concerns.

    By April 1, 2025
  • Protesters fill the university lawn at Columbia.
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    Alex Kent via Getty Images
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    Columbia interim president is out after less than 8 months

    Taking over for Katrina Armstrong is board of trustees co-chair Claire Shipman after the university was targeted by the Trump administration.

    By March 31, 2025
  • University of Pennsylvania skyline looking east with Fisher Fine Arts Library in foreground.
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    Permission granted by University of Pennsylvania
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    University of Pennsylvania ordered to stop work on $175M in federal contracts

    The Trump administration pulled research funding over the president’s mandate on transgender athletes — even though Penn says it is complying.

    By March 26, 2025
  • Students demonstrate on Columbia University's campus.
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    Alex Kent via Getty Images
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    Trump administration launches review of Columbia University’s grants and contracts

    The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is probing the institution’s funding over allegations it hasn’t protected Jewish students from harassment. 

    By March 4, 2025
  • Three people sit at a table.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    McMahon confirmed as education secretary

    Linda McMahon says she will end federal bureaucracy at the U.S. Department of Education but did not commit to closing the agency.

    By Kara Arundel • March 3, 2025
  • A campus shot of a historic building in North Carolina
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    The image by Chucka NC is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    North Carolina AG’s office raises ‘red flags’ about Saint Augustine’s $70M deal

    The concerns could imperil a financial lifeline the historically Black institution needs to prove that it can meet its accreditor’s requirements.

    By Jan. 29, 2025
  • A podium that reads "AAC&U"
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    Laura Spitalniak/Higher Ed Dive
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    Polarization is battering campuses. Here is how college leaders are fighting back.

    College presidents discussed strategies for constructive debate at the American Association of Colleges and Universities′ annual conference.

    By Jan. 27, 2025
  • A view from a podium in a lecture hall.
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    Photo Illustration: Getty Images; Industry Dive

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    Opinion // President Speaks

    Fostering campus dialogue doesn’t start with silence

    If college leaders fail to address key public events, they leave room for outside voices to fill the vacuum, argues one college president.

    By James Birge • Jan. 27, 2025
  • An aerial view of Hampshire College's campus, in Massachusetts.
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    Wirestock via Getty Images
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    Hampshire College president to depart after yearslong turnaround push

    Ed Wingenbach is set to take the helm of the American College of Greece after leading the Massachusetts nonprofit back from the brink.

    By Jan. 22, 2025
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    "UT Tower" by Earl McGehee is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    UT Austin president departing for Southern Methodist University

    Jay Hartzell has served as the Texas public university’s leader since 2020 and joined its faculty in 2001.

    By Jan. 8, 2025