dotEDU: Higher Education Policy Explained

At the 100-day mark of the Trump administration, Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja review a fast-moving and consequential start: 142 executive orders, declining approval ratings, and significant policy shifts affecting higher education. They discuss new executive orders on accreditation, foreign influence, DEI, immigration, and HBCUs, along with proposed cuts to student aid in the H...

In this episode of dotEDU Live, the hosts unpack the Trump administration's sweeping demands to Harvard—including oversight of teaching, governance, and student speech—and the university's refusal to comply, a defining moment in higher education's response to growing federal pressure. They also examine the surge in international student visa revocations and the escalating legal fight over federal...

In this episode of dotEDU Live, Jon, Sarah, and Mushtaq unpack the sweeping policy shifts affecting higher education, including the executive order to dismantle the Department of Education (ED). They also discuss the legal and financial implications for institutions, potential changes to federal student aid, immigration policies impacting international students, and key congressional budget update...

The latest episode of dotEDU Live unpacks the sweeping layoffs at the Department of Education and their implications for colleges and universities. Hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja are joined by ACE President Ted Mitchell to break down the budget battle in Congress, the department's restructuring, and the ripple effects on financial aid, student services, and institutional ov...

In this episode of dotEDU, Sarah Spreitzer and Mushtaq Gunja give an update on the unprecedented workforce cuts at the Department of Education and share their concerns about the immediate and long-term implications for higher education.   After that, the hosts take a look back at the troubled rollout of the new FAFSA system. Jeremy Singer, president of the College Board, talks about his time at th...

As colleges and universities face mounting federal scrutiny, dotEDU Live hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the latest developments from the Department of Education, the White House, and Congress. They discuss the Education Department's revised FAQ on DEI policies, newly confirmed Secretary Linda McMahon's plans for the department, and the Trump administration's incr...

The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has issued a sweeping directive declaring that race-conscious student programs, financial aid, and support services violate federal civil rights law—giving colleges just 14 days to comply. ACE President Ted Mitchell joins hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja to discuss the implications for campuses. The episode also covers rec...

In this all-Q&A episode of dotEDU Live, hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the latest policy shifts, legal battles, and administrative chaos facing colleges and universities in the Trump administration's first weeks. From the fallout of the now-blocked federal spending freeze to the uncertain future of DEI funding and research grants, they answer audience questions o...

NOTE: Both parts of this episode were recorded before the administration rescinded the order. The Trump administration's sweeping pause on all federal grants set off a wave of confusion and concern across higher education. But just minutes before it was set to take effect, a federal judge blocked the order, putting the freeze on hold until at least next Monday. In this episode recorded Jan. 28, Jo...

Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the early days of the Trump administration's second term and its impact on higher education. With 28 executive orders already issued—many targeting DEI, immigration, and gender policies—the hosts analyze what's changed, what's stayed the same, and what's likely to face legal challenges. Key topics include new executive actions on immigrat...

In this special episode of dotEDU Live, hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer engage with the distinguished ACE Fellows, a prestigious group of faculty, staff, and administrators who are preparing for senior leadership roles in higher education. Jon and Sarah kick off the discussion with an overview of the recent election results and the shifts in congressional leadership, highlighting key moment...

In this episode of dotEDU Live, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are joined by a full team of ACE experts—Steven Bloom, Peter McDonough, and Emmanual Guillory—to take a deeper look at what the post-election landscape looks like for higher education policy.   This episode covers key developments, including Linda McMahon's nomination as Secretary of Education, shifts in congressional leadership, and...

In the third episode of our special series dotEDU Global Voices , hosts Sarah Spreitzer and Devorah Lieberman—ACE senior advisor and president emerita of the University of La Verne—welcome Silvia Giorguli, president of the Colegio de México (COLMEX), a hub of intellectual leadership in Latin America. From her efforts to expand research areas and foster student mobility to her groundbreaking initia...

In the second episode of our special series dotEDU Global Voices , hosts Sarah Spreitzer and Devorah Lieberman—ACE senior advisor and president emerita of the University of La Verne—welcome Sue Cunningham, president and CEO of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), to discuss the importance of leadership, innovation, and building strong global connections in higher education....

In this three-part special series, dotEDU Global Voices , hosts Sarah Spreitzer and Devorah Lieberman—senior advisor at ACE and president emerita of the University of La Verne—host three trailblazing women featured in Devorah's book Spotlighting Female Leadership: Strategies, Stories, Perspectives . This insightful book highlights the journeys of ten women leaders from universities around the worl...

In this special post-election episode recorded on November 6, ACE President Ted Mitchell joins hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja to discuss the 2024 election results and their implications for higher education. With Donald Trump returning to the White House, the conversation explores critical issues facing colleges and universities, including efforts to abolish the Department...

In this episode of dotEDU, Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja analyze the presidential campaigns so far and discuss what the upcoming lame duck session of Congress could mean for higher education legislation. Then, Sarah and Mushtaq engage in an inspiring conversation with Ardis Eschenberg, Chancellor of Windward Community College, about how her institution is supporting student pare...

New laws enacted since 2020 may impact student voters, especially tighter restrictions on student IDs. ACE General Counsel Peter McDonough joins hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer to unpack what these critical changes mean for campuses. Jon and Sarah also discuss what Congress accomplished before leaving Washington, DC, to campaign for next month's elections. Tweet suggestions, links, and ques...

Harvard legal scholar Cass Sunstein joins Mushtaq Gunja and Sarah Spreitzer to delve into the foundational role of the First Amendment in shaping responses to campus protests and free speech issues in higher education. Drawing from his latest book, Campus Free Speech: A Pocket Guide , written in the wake of the protests of spring 2024, Sunstein offers practical insights on the complexities surroun...

In the latest episode, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer kick off the sixth season with a deep dive into the key issues shaping higher education this fall. With Congress in a monthlong sprint, they explore a flurry of messaging bills along with the legislation lawmakers actually need to accomplish before heading out for full-time campaigning. They also discuss the Biden administration's push to cem...

In this episode, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer give their insights into the current presidential election developments before they discuss decisions Congress faces prior to heading out for vacations and campaign trails. They tackle the latest developments in appropriations funding, and the markup of two House Ways and Means Committee antisemitism bills and their implications. Plus, they examine...

In this episode, Katharine Meyer of Brookings and ACE's Heidi Tseu join Jon Fansmith to delve into the complex landscape of state higher education governance. They explore trends such as free college approaches, the surge of anti-DEI legislation, and the impact of the Supreme Court rulings on race in admissions. They also dissect the challenges and opportunities facing higher ed around student-ath...

In this episode, ACE General Counsel Peter McDonough joins us to delve into the turbulent developments in college sports over the past year. Jon and Sarah then discuss recent House action on campus protests, the status of the FAFSA for the upcoming award year, and why higher ed should be watching the National Defense Authorization Act. Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or ema...

NASPA President Kevin Kruger joins the podcast to talk about the challenges facing students—and student affairs professionals—in 2024. On the agenda: the spring protests over the war in Gaza, student mental health, DEI, and how student affairs can support students during this time of almost unprecedented challenge. Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu...

In this episode, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss the campus protests that have been making headlines nationwide and how Congress and the Biden administration are responding to these concerns in Washington.   They also talk about state challenges to the new Title IX regulations, some positive news regarding the rollout of the new FAFSA, a congressional hearing on legislation to help DACA r...