Higher Ed 2024

Welcome Activities: Welcome to the 2024 EWA Higher Education Seminar 

• Steph Smith, content director, EWA
• Katharine Strunk, dean, University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education

A Conversation With Kate Shaw

Pennsylvania’s deputy secretary and commissioner for postsecondary education discusses the state’s plan to make postsecondary institutions more accessible and equitable as enrollment continues to decline at colleges nationwide and schools face financial pressures. The interview includes discussion of college closures and mergers and how to support students most affected by them, as well as how best to address workforce gaps and bolster college accountability. In addition, the conversation touches on responses to campus protests and how best to engage youth voters.

• Kate Shaw, Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Susan Snyder, The Philadelphia Inquirer (moderator)

Congress called on college presidents to testify. Faculty received suspensions or got fired for taking part in protests. At the same time, student protestors faced arrest or expulsion — all raising concerns about free speech in higher education. What is the role of the First Amendment on campus? What stories should reporters look at as the fall semester approaches?

• Jared Mitovich, The Daily Pennsylvanian 
• Sean Stevens, FIRE 
• Jonathan Zimmerman, University of Pennsylvania  
• Kayla Jimenez, USA Today (moderator)

In many newsrooms across the country, education reporters are stretched thin with limited resources and tight deadlines. Meanwhile, elevating youth voices remains a critical goal, especially as the election approaches. One solution: newsrooms partnering with student journalists. Hear from experts who addressed the decline of local journalism by tapping the talents of college news outlets.

• Sam Gregg, The Triangle
• Rachel Janfaza, Independent Journalist
• Lydia McFarlane, Villanova University
• Lara Salahi, Endicott College
• Wesley Wright, Open Campus (moderator)

Across the nation, public universities are facing budget troubles, enrollment struggles and pressure to cut humanities courses and majors. One college is closing per month, on average. Get tips on reviewing budgets and asking probing questions about financial pressures on colleges. Also, hear experts explain how higher education’s fiscal woes affect college towns, and learn who is most impacted by the looming demographic cliff.

• Julee Gard, University of St. Francis 
• Jon Marcus, The Hechinger Report 
• Stephanie Shonekan, University of Maryland
• Janet Woojeong Lee, NPR (moderator)

Engaging in civic and civil discourse amid tension and conflict can be difficult, but it’s possible — and many would argue essential. As higher education is in no small part about learning and debating new ideas, colleges must step up to teach and work with students in tumultuous times. How are colleges engendering a culture of robust, civil debate in this moment? Hear lessons learned from professors, advice and recommendations from student leaders and reflections from reporters on the past spring semester. 

• Sigal Ben-Porath, University of Pennsylvania
• Jack Ruotolo, BridgeUSA 
• Abdesalam Soudi, University of Pittsburgh 
• Kayleigh Skinner, Open Campus (moderator)

Join colleagues for small-group discussions about challenges reporters face on the higher education beat and how to tackle them. Get tips on pitching stories, workshopping new story angles and accessing college officials amid a tense and evolving campus climate. Open the notebook, brainstorm (and commiserate!) with fellow journalists.

An investigation into Virginia university expansions revealed that many Black residents lost their homes. In the “Uprooted” series, reporters examined higher education’s role in erasing communities of color. A series by a student-run outlet, The State News, examined the many problems plaguing Michigan State University’s Title IX office, from misconduct to sexual assault. Two award-winning reporters break down their work on these investigations and offer story ideas to help reporters localize their own work as they hold higher education institutions accountable

• Brandi Kellam, Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO
• Alex Walters, The State News at Michigan State University

Last year brought the end of race-conscious college admissions. In 2024, we’ve seen bans on offices and staff dedicated to DEI and a series of delays with the updated FAFSA — all of which disproportionately impacts students of color. Given the current political climate, will colleges be able to enroll diverse students in meaningful ways and create a safe and welcoming culture for all?

• Divya Kumar, Tampa Bay Times
• Cara McClellan, University of Pennsylvania
• Marcela Rodrigues, The Dallas Morning News
• Olivia Sanchez, The Hechinger Report (moderator)

Artificial intelligence goes beyond cheating and plagiarism. Campuses are using AI to reshape curriculum, discover gaps in research and find new recruitment methods. At the same time, some universities are also using flawed AI surveillance technology. How can reporters better understand how students, faculty and administrators are using AI in their work — for better or worse?  What’s working? What is still in question, and what should reporters be asking their universities?

• Kofi Nyarko, Morgan State University 
• Jenay Robert, EDUCAUSE
• Joe Sabado, University of California, Santa Barbara
• Taylor Swaak, The Chronicle of Higher Education (moderator)