Leadership and Governance

Big Department of Ed layoffs OK’d by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that President Donald Trump has the authority to cut half the Department of Education's staff.

President moves: These three interim leaders have proven their worth

Half of the recently hired presidents had once served in an interim capacity. Plus: An 18-year leader announces his retirement.

President’s corner: How Kettering catapulted its successful STEM model

President Robert McMahan believes Kettering's work-based learning programs will inspire many other universities over the next 10 to 20 years.

Siena Heights University is the latest to close

We're not the first college and university to close, nor will we be the last," President Douglas Palmer said in a video announcement. 

President moves: Here are 8 new leaders taking over this summer

Five leaders on this list are arriving as presidents of new institutions, while three have been promoted after having served in an interim position.

How Alvernia’s valuable connection with its city spurs academic innovation

Alvernia University has created at least three new academic programs in the past year in response to regional workforce demands, President Glynis Fitzgerald says.

President moves: Two state flagship university now have leaders

The University of Alabama and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have each selected a president with a proven track record in academia and research.

Here are more promising ways schools are planning during an uncertain summer

Part two of our coverage on how school leaders are using this summer for strategic planning covers three more strategies.

Promising ways schools are planning during an uncertain summer

A swirl of federal policy changes to higher ed due to take effect this fall make this summer's strategic planning period a critical time for leaders to set a course for success.

The 3 timely things we learned from Columbia’s leadership meltdown

Crisis communication only works if you practice message discipline. Decision-makers can hash out differences privately, but they must present a united front outside the boardroom.

Why it’s more important for students than leaders to speak out

Institutional neutrality is vital during today's widening political divisions, says Xavier University President Colleen Hanycz, who takes pride in being vocal about not being vocal.

Ono blocked from becoming UF president at the last minute

A 10-6 vote by the Florida Board of Governors rejected Santa Ono's selection due to his previous work supporting DEI initiatives and other decisions.

President moves: These 4 state flagships will see big changes

Major public universities across these states are welcoming or bidding farewell to their presidents.

How President Ralls is enhancing Wake Tech’s CTE portfolio

Wake Tech President Scott Ralls is seizing the momentum on CTE education by building career-focused pathways through upskilling and stackable credentialing.

Harvard counters a potentially devastating blow from Homeland Security

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's efforts to disallow Harvard University from enrolling international students.

Judge blocks Trump from shutting down Department of Education

Federal judge's injunction requires reinstatement of fired employees, citing "irreparable harm" and financial uncertainty.

President moves: Spring is the time for several big leadership changes

Over a dozen colleges and universities are welcoming or bidding farewell to leaders as the semester winds down.

DEI hiring, recruiting was surging through 2024. Can it last?

A new study from JobElephant found diversity hiring practices have persisted despite state bills reining in DEI. A Supreme Court ruling and Trump administration might upend that.

More college presidents face public grilling over campus antisemitism

Three college leaders acknowledged missteps in combatting campus antisemitism but outlined actions they are taking to support Jewish students.

Trump’s focus for higher ed: Protecting women’s sports

During his visit to the University of Alabama, President Trump promised to enforce Title IX to prevent transgender athletes from playing women's sports.

President moves: Ono leaves Ann Arbor, now sole finalist at this flagship

Also, Ivy Tech Community College hired a prominent K12 superintendent to help expand dual enrollment.

Harvard acknowledges antisemitism and Islamophobia in painful reports

A pair of damning reports assert the university's efforts to ensure students and staff can express their ideas freely and protest "while avoiding disruption, harassment, and threats," President Alan Garber said. 

How UMass is becoming an unparalleled climate hub

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan is positioning his five-campus system as a central link for climate technology innovation.

Judges block Trump’s moves to withhold funds over DEI

Amid public defiance by education leaders to disregard the Trump Administration's anti-DEI policy, three separate judges—two of whom are Trump appointees—delivered a heavy legal blow to the Department of Education.

The latest leaders criticizing Trump’s strategy on antisemitism

College and Jewish leaders are speaking up against the Trump administration's recent efforts to cancel federal funding for higher education institutions.

New Education Department appointees show where agency is headed

The incoming officials' backgrounds indicate career preparedness, Title IX investigations and antisemitism will dominate policy conversations.

Mutual Defense Compact: An innovative way faculty want to fight Trump

Members of the Big Ten Academic Alliance and one other state public land grant university want to pool resources to support any one school facing funding threats from the Trump administration.

President moves: End of the line for this president’s remarkable 25-year career

The tenure of four out of the five presidents who've stepped down in the past two weeks spanned between three months and three years.

How to keep moving when higher ed data dries up

Budget cuts at the National Center for Education Statistics signal future disruptions to data collection, sounding the alarm for higher education planning.

3 ways new federal actions are surprising higher ed leaders

The Trump administration's recent moves to revoke international student visas and cut university funding are causing widespread panic across colleges, according to policy leaders in this webinar hosted by ACE.

President moves: Big shakeups at Louisville, Columbia spotlight this list

Without warning or explanation, University of Louisville President Kim Schatzel has resigned after having pledged a long-term commitment to the Kentucky research institution.

One university now demands the immediate release of a detained student

Tufts University has offered the most public defense yet of a graduate student who was detained as the Trump administration revokes hundreds of student visas.

Campus antisemitism falls steeply on a campus targeted by Trump

Northwestern University says it is seeing results of its efforts to protect free speech and prevent discrimination and harassment reports by Jewish students.

Why college advising is more important than ever for President Hurd

From spearheading admissions protocols at Lafayette to producing documentaries, Nicole Hurd is working across sectors to win back the higher education narrative.

Student visas are now being revoked by the hundreds

"We do it every day," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this week. "Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visa."