Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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4 policy trends that should be on college leaders’ radars in 2026
From accreditation to civil rights probes, we’re rounding up policy shifts we’ll be watching — and expert predictions on how they’ll unfold — for the year ahead.
Ben Unglesbee, Natalie Schwartz and Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 29, 2026 -
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5 higher ed lawsuits to watch in 2026
The Trump administration is at the center of major unfolding litigation, from efforts to cap overhead research funding to attacks on Harvard University.
Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 27, 2026 -
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Does Northwestern’s $75M Trump deal stifle speech?
First Amendment experts break down the free speech implications of the heavily scrutinized agreement to restore the university’s research funding.
David Weisenfeld • Jan. 26, 2026 -
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Trump 2.0’s impact on higher ed: The first year in 8 numbers
A chaotic 2025 brought dozens of federal college probes, thousands of revoked international student visas, and billions in threatened research funding.
Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 20, 2026 -
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6 higher education trends to watch in 2026
With a new year comes new enrollment challenges, shifting federal policies and increased pressure on college leaders to stand up for their institutions.
Laura Spitalniak, Natalie Schwartz and Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 8, 2026 -
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Will higher education researchers leave for opportunities abroad?
As the Trump administration cuts funding to wide swaths of research, foreign countries are ramping up their efforts to recruit top U.S. talent.
Danielle McLean • Jan. 5, 2026 -
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Inside Texas A&M University’s partnership with Google for AI training
The initiative gives students free access to AI tools like a research assistant, but colleges should ensure they don’t become shortcuts, an expert said.
Danielle McLean • Dec. 16, 2025 -
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‘End of an era’: Experts warn research executive order could stifle scientific innovation
The directive gives President Donald Trump’s political appointees oversight of grant awards to align them with the administration’s priorities.
Danielle McLean • Nov. 3, 2025 -
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The legal debate over Trump’s Title VI campus crackdown
Recent enforcement actions have set off high-stakes arguments about whether the federal government is weaponizing the civil rights law.
David Weisenfeld • Oct. 30, 2025 -
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What does the end of Grad PLUS loans mean for higher ed?
The end of the 20-year program could push more students to the private loan market and force colleges to end some of their graduate offerings.
Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 22, 2025 -
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More Catholic colleges are merging amid demographic pressures. What does it really take?
Mergers can help struggling colleges stay afloat, but uniting different cultures and operations is rarely straightforward, experts say.
Danielle McLean • July 29, 2025 -
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What does Trump’s executive order on foreign gift reporting mean for colleges?
Institutions that don’t fully comply with Section 117 could end up in the Trump administration’s crosshairs and miss out on federal grants, experts suggested.
Danielle McLean • July 22, 2025 -
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Risk-sharing: A ‘well-intentioned’ disaster for colleges?
Experts say a push to make institutions responsible for unpaid student loans could hit hardest on those serving historically underrepresented students.
Ben Unglesbee • May 6, 2025 -
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How colleges can support transgender students amid the Trump administration
Campuses shouldn’t be racing to comply with “harmful and discriminatory policies” before they are legally required to do so, one attorney said.
Danielle McLean • April 28, 2025 -
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‘You can’t create 18-year-olds’: What can colleges do amid demographic upheaval?
Raising retention and attendance rates, and accommodating diverse student bodies, could take on new importance as the traditional-age pipeline weakens.
Ben Unglesbee • March 27, 2025 -
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‘Undercutting your future’: What a higher endowment tax would mean for colleges
The sector is worried about more risk, fewer resources and a disincentivized donor base as Republicans eye a bigger levy on university investments.
Ben Unglesbee • March 26, 2025 -
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What will NCES layoffs mean for the Nation’s Report Card?
The U.S. Department of Education claims mandated tests like NAEP won’t be impacted, but laid-off employees beg to differ.
Naaz Modan • March 18, 2025 -
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How 4 of Trump’s policy actions could impact higher education in 2025
The new administration has undertaken a flurry of executive actions during its first two weeks that could bring major changes to the sector.
Natalie Schwartz, Laura Spitalniak and Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 31, 2025 -
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5 higher education lawsuits to watch in 2025
From Biden-era policies under fire to an antitrust suit against academic publishers, 2025 could see major legal waves.
Ben Unglesbee and Natalie Schwartz • Updated Jan. 29, 2025 -
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6 higher education trends to watch in 2025
College leaders will likely grapple with budgetary strains, federal policy shifts and continued enrollment challenges in the year ahead.
Natalie Schwartz, Laura Spitalniak and Ben Unglesbee • Updated Jan. 14, 2025 -
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Inside University of the District of Columbia’s plan to transform
The historically Black college — Washington's only public university — wants to widen its appeal and raise its profile.
Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 17, 2024 -
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Why more colleges are seeking Hispanic-serving institution status
The coveted designation unlocks federal grants and signals a commitment to underrepresented students, though institutions face challenges getting there.
Danielle McLean • Dec. 2, 2024 -
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What preliminary enrollment data from fall 2024 tells us
Higher education experts broke down some trends in the early data and what may have prompted the decline in first-year students.
Laura Spitalniak • Updated Jan. 14, 2025 -
Permission granted by Hannah Corcoran, Representative for Graduate Hotels
Beyond school colors: How college-town hotel amenities draw guests
As guest preferences change and enrollment fluctuates, campus-adjacent hotels are getting creative to attract students, families and fans.
Brian Martucci • Oct. 30, 2024 -
Permission granted by Temple University
The fallout: The University of the Arts saga lives on — will its legacy?
Temple University and others have absorbed former UArts students. But can they replace the unique urban arts institution after its demise?
Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 9, 2024
