By James H. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D. CHAPEL HILL – Several of my White friends and colleagues have asked me recently what changes are required to address systemic racism in higher education institutions. After reflecting on personal experiences as an African-American professor for four decades in two predominantly White institutions, I will highlight activities that have… READ MORE
Cancelled MerleFest = cancelled student aid
WILKESBORO – When officials cancelled MerleFest this month due to the threat of coronavirus, it meant more than a lost chance to hear Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss and Mavis Staples. It was also a lost opportunity for students at Wilkes Community College, host of the annual music festival. MerleFest helps fund critical programs at the… READ MORE
A discussion of higher ed’s biggest challenges
CHAPEL HILL (Nov. 15, 2019) – The leaders of Higher Ed Works and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal got together with a group of future professors this week to discuss the biggest challenges facing higher education. And what was striking wasn’t their differences – it was how much they agreed. Paul Fulton,… READ MORE
NC student debt on the rise
Student debt is on the rise, both in North Carolina and across the nation. More than 45 million Americans now owe a collective $1.6 trillion.1 Once upon a time, North Carolina prided itself on low tuition and low student debt among its graduates. But as the chart above illustrates, as tuition has risen, debt among… READ MORE
UNC System alumni: Oh so worth it
CHAPEL HILL (May 21, 2019) – Graduates of the University of North Carolina System are much more likely than other college alumni to appreciate and promote their schools, according to a survey of 77,695 alumni that Gallup conducted for the system. The UNC System’s strategic plan calls on university officials to collect data on graduates’… READ MORE
2018: Questions of leadership and governance
Our top higher-education stories of 2018 fell into several broad categories: LEADERSHIP/GOVERNANCE The year saw large questions of leadership and governance raised but not always answered. In May, the NC Board of Community Colleges named Peter Hans – a former board member with extensive experience in both community colleges and universities – as the new… READ MORE
More credentials for a more diverse population
Jim Hansen, Regional President, PNC Bank. Photo courtesy of NC Chamber. DURHAM (Aug. 16, 2018) – North Carolina used to have people without jobs. Now it has jobs without people, and leaders from business and academia laid out the challenges of filling those jobs yesterday at the NC Chamber’s annual Conference on Education. “Employers are… READ MORE
Hans: An effort to limit student debt for teachers
RALEIGH – North Carolina faces a looming teacher shortage – though it’s now the 9th most-populous state in the country, it saw a 30% decline in enrollment at state colleges of education from 2010-2015.1 But an effort is underway in Johnston County to make teaching more inviting by letting students start their education at Johnston… READ MORE
Spellings: “Power up” on financial aid
CHAPEL HILL – The UNC System’s strategic plan aims to get more rural, low-income, minority and first-generation students to earn a college degree or credential. But one of the most powerful tools to drive student access and achieve those goals, need-based aid, has remained flat in the state budget since 2013-14, even as enrollment has… READ MORE
House Speaker Moore: ‘The single greatest priority we have’
WINSTON-SALEM (Feb. 28, 2018) – NC House Speaker Tim Moore voiced broad support for public education at a special gathering this week. “When it comes to our state budget, education is the single largest item, because it’s the single greatest priority that we have – and we’re going to continue to fund it,” Moore told… READ MORE