Adult Pathways Colleges buck enrollment trends by increasing their supports for students More than 40 million people in this country have attended college but stopped before completing a degree, and I can understand why. Jamie MerisotisMay 29, 2023
Research and Evaluation How do we bounce back from the enrollment plunge? Four colleges show the way. A new National Student Clearinghouse report says 40.4 million Americans have some college but no degree, up from 39 million a year ago. Courtney Brown May 24, 2023
Today's Credentials Think carefully before deciding to delay the path to or through college Taking a break between high school and college, or in the middle of your studies, is tempting. After all, the learning process can be hard, and exhausting. But the times we are in call for caution when it comes to any delays in education. Jamie Merisotis May 15, 2023
Racial Justice and Equity Equity first: Trailblazing Prairie View president turns Black pain into social change When Lumina Foundation decided to put $15 million toward fighting systemic racism in response to the killing of George Floyd, we imagined funding the efforts of leaders like Dr. Ruth Simmons and institutions like Prairie View A&M University in Texas. Katherine WheatleFeb. 15, 2021
Federal Policy When it comes to student borrowers of color, policymakers should explore the shades of gray The last recession consumed the modest wealth of Black and Hispanic communities, further deepening racial wealth divides and burdening college students from these communities with higher loan debt. Today, the United States is experiencing another severe economic downturn, with record-high unemployment fueled by a pandemic—and it’s affecting college affordability even more dramatically. Wayne Taliaferro, Katherine WheatleJuly 14, 2020
Federal Policy Honor the treaties: Deliver on promises to educate Native Americans In an interview with Amanda R. Tachine, assistant professor of higher education at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University, and Jameson David “J.D.” Lopez, assistant professor of educational policy studies and practice at the College of Education, University of Arizona, I discussed the importance of Native American voices in policy dialogues about affordability… Katherine WheatleJuly 14, 2020
Racial Justice and Equity NAACP Image Awards show that students can be powerfully authentic messengers Student voices can be a powerful force in shaping policies and influencing views on higher education. I know this firsthand because I got my start as an educational equity advocate years ago while a collegiate member of the NAACP. Katherine WheatleMarch 5, 2020
Racial Justice and Equity Fifty years after protests, civil rights advocates are needed more than ever We can’t achieve racial equity in higher education without an avid defense of civil rights. Within the past year, Lumina Foundation has focused on supporting civil rights organizations to increase their capacity to advocate for federal policies that can better serve today’s students. Katherine WheatleSept. 5, 2019
Affordability New report, old story: To succeed in college, money matters College students of limited means receive much less support from Pell Grants today than in the past and have a much lower chance of graduating within six years, a new report shows. Katherine Wheatle, Wendy SedlakJune 12, 2019
Affordability Four ways to make college financial aid more fair The Great Recession ended 10 years ago this summer, but a decade of economic recovery has failed to lift the prospects for millions of college students staring down more than $1.5 trillion in education debt. Katherine WheatleMarch 5, 2019