News and views in higher education attainment from Lumina Foundation

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Lumina News

A Black woman’s journey to the end of the earth

That’s the question people ask about my travels to icy Antarctica. A decade ago, before it was popular to put on your bucket list, I decided to visit all seven continents before I turned 50. Of course, COVID put a damper on that, but the chance to go to Antarctica came quickly and out of…

Susan D. JohnsonMay 26, 2022

Jamie Merisotis at the lectern, speaking at the 2022 Franklin College Commencement.

Human Work and Learning

Remarks by Jamie Merisotis, Franklin College Commencement, May 21, 2022

Good morning. Thank you, President Prather for this honor and for your leadership. In just about every way to measure someone in your important role, you have excelled – leading the college at a time of great societal challenge yet still enrolling more students, expanding student diversity, introducing new tech innovation and digital fluency initiatives,…

Jamie Merisotis May 24, 2022

Two people working in a warehouse.

Community Colleges

Combined forces: Fulfilling the ‘community’ in community colleges

The advantage of a community college lives right in the name: It’s affordable, accessible education in a student’s home community.

Georgia Reagan May 24, 2022

Featured Podcast

Student Supports

The Mental Health Crisis and Higher Education

Dakota PawlickiMay 24, 2022

Brad Kelsheimer

FILTERED BY AUTHOR:

Brad Kelsheimer

Brad Kelsheimer is vice president for finance and investments, and chief financial officer at Lumina Foundation, an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. Kelsheimer oversees the foundation’s investment portfolio and all other financial operations.

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Federal Policy

Higher education’s $50 billion problem

At a time when society needs it more than ever, higher education in the United States is in crisis. Costs to students and their families continue to rise, states are questioning their level of investment, quality is eroding, racial attainment gaps are increasing, operating deficits at the institution level are accelerating, schools are closing,…

Brad Kelsheimer, Courtney BrownDec. 9, 2020

Affordability

From a former higher-ed finance leader with three daughters in college: Here’s why I’m optimistic

For all who care about higher ed, it’s hard to imagine a worse set of health and economic challenges than what we face today. But there’s also room for optimism about how we might emerge with an education system that serves everyone better. Here are the three rays of hope – call them opportunities, maybe…

Brad KelsheimerAug. 24, 2020

State Policy

Endowments, foundations face their own challenges

Endowments and foundations face some unique and unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While most had prepared for some kind of market downturn following a record-long bull market, the closure of universities and the subsequent loss of revenue from room and board, tuition and other sources of revenue such as sporting events…

Brad KelsheimerJune 16, 2020

State Policy

University of Chicago is vulnerable in new COVID era

The University of Chicago has invested heavily in recent years to leap ahead of the pack, besting its elite local rival Northwestern University in national rankings, but its weaker financial profile is making it more vulnerable to fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Brad KelsheimerJune 16, 2020

State Policy

College closures are a tough—but needed—step to serving students better

Colleges and universities, caught in a crossfire of rising costs and increasing impatience from families and funders, face an ongoing onslaught of tough choices in the next few years.

Brad KelsheimerOct. 28, 2019