Biden-Harris Administration Outlines Strategies to Increase Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to advance diversity and opportunity in higher education, the U.S. Department of Education today released a report, “Strategies for Increasing Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education,” that calls on states and higher education leaders to prioritize efforts that advance diversity on college campuses.
The report outlines evidence-based strategies and practices in the areas of outreach, admissions, financial aid, and college completion. And it answers President Biden’s charge to the Department to elevate promising practices to build inclusive, diverse student bodies in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina et al. (collectively “SFFA”).
Big Ten schools produce more CFOs, fewer CEOs than Ivies
Aspiring finance chiefs lacking Ivy League degrees can take some comfort in a recent study which found that Big Ten schools educated more sitting CFOs than any other U.S. sports conference, according to the executive search firm Crist|Kolder Associates’ Volatility Report.
Of the 657 current finance chiefs with known undergraduate educational backgrounds in Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies this year, the biggest share of CFOs (14%) came from international institutions, while 10% and 9%, respectively, came from Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conference institutions, and nearly 8% hailed from the Ivies, according to the latest issue of the study which reviewed data from public filings and other sources through Aug. 15.
To learn more: https://www.highereddive.com/news/big-ten-schools-produce-more-cfos-fewer-ceos-than-ivies/694801/
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 released
In the 20th edition of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings released today, a total of 1,904 universities across 108 countries are ranked against 18 performance indicators – up from 13 in the previous year - covering teaching, research quality, research environment, international outlook, and industry.
The University of Oxford in the UK has retained the top position for the eighth year in a row, followed by Stanford University in the USA, which rose from joint third in the previous year.
The top five are completed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (up two), Harvard University (down two), and the University of Cambridge (down two places). The University of Oxford topped the Times Higher Education rankings for the 8th year in a row.
All of the top 10 places are taken by universities in the UK and the USA; the highest-ranked institution from a different country is ETH Zurich from Switzerland in 11th.
To learn more: https://studytravel.network/magazine/news/0/30120
HOPE Scholarship Program Provides Record Amount of Student Support
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) has completed an overview of the HOPE Scholarship Program. In 2003, the General Assembly created the HOPE Scholarship program to provide lottery-funded financial aid to offset the cost of postsecondary education. Tennessee’s students began to benefit from this financial aid in the fall of 2004.
The HOPE Scholarship program is funded through the state’s lottery for education programs and is administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. The purpose of the HOPE Scholarship is to provide financial aid for Tennessee students who meet specific academic requirements to attend a public or private postsecondary institution in Tennessee. Eligible students must have either an overall high school grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0, or attain a composite ACT score of at least 21 (or a combined SAT score of at least 1060).
To learn more: https://comptroller.tn.gov/news/2023/9/28/hope-scholarship-program-provides-record-amount-of-student-support-.html
IELTS Morgan Terry Memorial IATEFL Scholarship
This scholarship, funded by the IELTS Partners (British Council, IDP Australia, and Cambridge English), is given in memory of Morgan Terry. Morgan taught IELTS for many years, trained other teachers, and was prolific in developing test preparation materials for students. This scholarship honors her contribution to IELTS and recognizes those who create learning resources to help IELTS test takers prepare for their tests.
To learn more: https://ielts.org/researchers/awards-and-scholarships/ielts-morgan-terry-memorial-iatefl-scholarship
Success Program Launch: Co-Curricular Pathways Bridge the Skills Gap
Encouraging students to recognize the need for and invest in career skill development can be a challenge for higher education practitioners.
“Supporting students more intentionally in their co-curricular endeavors has always been a needed area of growth in higher education, and the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly exacerbated that need and instilled in us a sense of urgency,” says Anne Ehrlich, vice president for college life and dean of students at Gettysburg College.
The Pennsylvania college reimagined its college experience and, starting this fall, is introducing students to guided pathways, which include experiential learning tracks and a personal advising network. The initiative emphasizes talent development for students to prepare them for future career opportunities that may not yet be available, while prioritizing the foundations of a college education.
To learn more: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/college-experience/2023/09/27/college-encourages-learners-design-skill-pathway
Over 360 colleges agree to common standards for financial aid offers
More than 360 colleges have agreed to a set of standards to use in sending out financial aid offers, a step to demystifying an often confusing process for students and families.
The commitment, announced Tuesday, was devised by the College Cost Transparency Initiative, a task force created last year by 10 higher education associations including the American Council on Education. The coalition has been attempting to influence colleges’ financial aid practices, urging them to ensure their offers are easily understood.
To learn more: https://www.highereddive.com/news/over-360-colleges-agree-to-common-standards-for-financial-aid-offers/694838/
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