2024-10-08-The Colleges That Can Save America

What higher education must do to take on climate change

In this episode of Sparking Equity, host Lande Ajose explores the critical role higher education can play in addressing the climate crisis while advancing equity. Joined by Eloy Ortiz Oakley, president and CEO of the College Futures Foundation, and Jamie Marisotis, president and CEO of Lumina Foundation, this thought-provoking discussion delves into actionable strategies for colleges and universities to empower underserved communities, foster climate literacy, and turn knowledge into meaningful action. The episode highlights the intersection of climate change, equity, and education—and what leaders, students, and communities can do to shape a sustainable future.

Equity in Education

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Podcast: The Dismantling of DEI Efforts

States across the country have proposed or enacted legislation that hampers or eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on college campuses. These efforts range from removing diversity statements from job posting to outright elimination of student support services. Erin Gretzinger and Maggie Hicks from the Chronicle of Higher Education gives us a national overview and Veronica Selzler from Hattaway Communications talks about a new toolkit designed to help bridge the communications gap.
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Nine ways funders can increase diversity in higher ed in a world without affirmative action

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s June 29 decision to end affirmative action in college admissions, a group of foundations quickly issued a joint statement condemning the decision, saying, “The Supreme Court’s decision impedes colleges and universities from selecting their own student bodies and fully addressing systemic racial inequalities that persist.”
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With the end of race-conscious college admissions, Americans have reached common ground on what’s needed next

What will American colleges and universities look like now that the Supreme Court has upended affirmative action? The evidence is clear: As we’ve seen from states that had already banned race-conscious admissions prior to the court’s recent decision, enrollment for students of color will decline. We can avoid going backward only if institutions embrace new approaches for increasing student diversity and abolish advantages for the privileged, such as legacy preferences.
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Today's Credentials

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Non-degree credentials are great tools, but some need sharpening

Medical billing, supply chain management, web design and development—name a field, and there’s probably a course available to learn it. Recent years have seen an explosion in the number of workforce credentials—degrees, certificates, badges, apprenticeships—over 1 million nationwide by one count. They are offered by nearly 60,000 providers, ranging from week-long courses to programs extending over months or years.
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Today's Institutions

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Let’s tap the real power of college alumni

Football games, open houses, booths selling swag—it’s fall homecoming season on college campuses, and your alma mater is eager to show off its athletic accomplishments, its new energy-efficient buildings, and its innovative academic programs. A goal of these perennial pep rallies, of course, is to raise money—the hope being that alums will be sufficiently moved by the old school spirit to open their wallets wide.
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I found out the hard way that family income alone doesn’t predict college financial aid needs

I found out the hard way that family income doesn’t predict a student’s college financial aid needs. As a first-generation college student, navigating the college financial aid system was very challenging. From the technical jargon to the tedious forms, I heavily relied on my mother, who previously sought student aid for herself and my older brother. Ultimately, I began my college career at the University of Georgia through a combination of federal, state, and private financial aid. 
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Today's Students

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Podcast

Today’s Students. Tomorrow’s Talent.

Lumina Foundation presents conversations with newsmakers and thought leaders in the field of education and training after high school. Hear from people working to attract, retain, and cultivate the talent America needs for the 21st century.

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Okello holding his child Okello playa with Ezekiel. Okello and his children, Emily (10) and Ezekiel (3).
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The college climb steepens

For many of today’s students, pursuing higher education was a struggle even before the pandemic. Today, as shown in this candid, close-up look at the lives of five low-income students, the college challenge is immense.

Photos and text by RACHEL BUJALSKI..

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Focus Magazine

Focus highlights the issues affecting education beyond high school in a human-interest, magazine-style format. Our goal is to show – in compelling stories, photos, and video – the real-life struggles and successes of today’s students and the people who serve them.

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