Higher Ed 2026

East Ballroom

• Debbie Veney, interim executive director, Education Writers Association
• Kimberly R. Moffitt, dean of the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, Howard University

East Ballroom

Student journalists at historically Black colleges and universities around the nation have the unique charge of covering HBCUs. At the same time, journalism programs at leading institutions, such as Howard University and Morehouse College, benefit from a curriculum informed and shaped by traditions of the Black press. Those traditions carry a legacy of reporting through the lens of justice and democracy, and of incorporating thoughtful framing and historical context. The approach offers valuable lessons for any journalist. Hear from HBCU professors and a Howard campus newspaper editor about their experiences teaching, learning and reporting at these distinctive and storied institutions. 

• Nicole Carr, Morehouse College
• Yanick Rice Lamb, Howard University
• Myla Roundy, The Hilltop at Howard University
• Jasper Smith, The Chronicle of Higher Education (moderator)

East Ballroom

Immigration policy is rapidly reshaping access to higher education for undocumented students. Some states face federal lawsuits over in-state tuition and college access policies while some of the most consequential legislative and legal battles play out in statehouses. To help reporters understand what’s changing, panelists break down the evolving policy and legal landscape and examine how colleges are balancing legal obligations with support for undocumented students.

• Lane Glenn, Northern Essex Community College
• Thomas Saenz, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund 
• Diego N. Sánchez, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration
• Karin Fischer, The Chronicle of Higher Education (moderator)

East Ballroom

East Ballroom

Over the last decade, almost 20 public universities have started civic schools and centers, often via legislation championed by conservative lawmakers. Supporters say the centers are a much-needed boost to classical and civic education, civil discourse instruction and viewpoint diversity on campuses. But their development through state law, hiring practices and curricular focus have raised concerns, including among critics who contend the centers are part of a broader conservative effort to sanitize American history and neutralize protest. Panelists discuss how to best understand what’s driving this movement and what civic education should look like in a democracy.  

• Paul Carrese, Arizona State University
• Sen. Jerry Cirino, State of Ohio
• Mary Anne Franks, George Washington University
• Ryan Quinn, Inside Higher Ed (moderator)

East Ballroom

Journalists inform the public, but story choices don’t exist in isolation. Journalists’ stories play a role in reflecting, reinforcing, and shaping public narratives about issues and institutions. This interactive class helps reporters understand how media narratives can shape public perception of colleges and universities. Researchers provide an overview of different media ecosystems and examine the many narratives that shape the way that coverage about higher education is situated and understood. Journalists discuss their role in reinforcing narratives and critically interrogate coverage of the political and cultural battles that define higher education.  

• Sydney Apple, Protagonist
• Anne Kim, Washington Monthly (moderator) 

East Ballroom

The federal government has made massive funding cuts to many minority-serving institutions, including Hispanic-serving institutions. Meanwhile, decisions to end funding for some MSIs while increasing funding at others has created tension and confusion. And the next federal budget proposal would further slash MSI funding, including severe cuts to tribal colleges and universities, whose federal designation as an MSI is contested by some Native leaders.The Trump administration and many states have also implemented a broad range of policies to prohibit postsecondary diversity, equity and inclusion programs. How are MSIs, which serve many historically marginalized students, navigating these sweeping financial and policy changes? 

• Kristine Jan Cruz Espinoza, University of California, Davis
• Robert Maxim, Brookings Institution
• Alecia Taylor, Capital B (moderator)

East Ballroom

Building strong, trusted relationships with college leaders and faculty members can steer journalists to great scoops and impactful stories. But developing those sources and gaining that access can be tough. Get advice from colleagues who have expertly done that and brainstorm with colleagues about how to handle real scenarios higher education reporters have encountered on the beat during this interactive, skill-building session.

• Brianna Atkinson, WUNC News
• David Jesse, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Gallery Lounge

Research shows that incoming college students are struggling to complete coursework, including lengthy reading and longer writing assignments, prompting faculty to rethink coursework, assignments and academic expectations. Learn about the academic challenges incoming and current undergraduates are facing and how college leaders and faculty are responding. Also, hear experts break down the growing debate over how prepared students should be for college and the role testing and grades should play in that assessment.

• Neetu Arnold, Manhattan Institute
• Amanda Baker, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Ed Venit, Education Advisory Board 
• Hilary Burns, The Boston Globe (moderator)

Gallery Lounge

As artificial intelligence reshapes the nation’s workplaces, colleges and universities are under growing pressure to prepare students for an AI-enabled world. But what does meaningful AI literacy actually look like? Should higher education prioritize technical skills, ethical reasoning, or the critical thinking needed to understand AI’s broader impact on society? And how are students themselves using AI and thinking about its role in their education and future careers? This panel explores how colleges are defining AI literacy, what students need to thrive and the questions educators are still trying to answer.

• Lauren Back, Carleton College
• Leo Lo, University of Virginia
• Jessica Stansbury, University of Baltimore
• Jeff Young, independent journalist (moderator)

Forum

News of colleges shuttering departments and cutting staff – or closing – because of financial strain is certainly not hard to find. Many factors affect a college’s bottom line, such as its enrollment, tuition revenue, state appropriations and the health of its endowment. How can reporters synthesize this information to get a clear sense of an institution’s financial health? Learn about available data and financial documents, including how to make sense of them. Come away with tools to spot signs of financial stress and trends to watch

• Robert Kelchen, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Rebecca Koenig, The Hechinger Report

Digital Auditorium

The Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling prohibiting race-conscious admissions forced colleges to rethink how they evaluate applicants. New data can shed light on how these changes have impacted college enrollment. Better understand the impact not only to highly selective institutions, but also the trickle-down effects shaping enrollment patterns across higher education. Plus, learn about other upcoming admissions data releases.

• James Murphy, Class Action 

Gallery Lounge

Forum

News of colleges shuttering departments and cutting staff – or closing – because of financial strain is certainly not hard to find. Many factors affect a college’s bottom line, such as its enrollment, tuition revenue, state appropriations and the health of its endowment. How can reporters synthesize this information to get a clear sense of an institution’s financial health? Learn about available data and financial documents, including how to make sense of them. Come away with tools to spot signs of financial stress and trends to watch

• Robert Kelchen, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Marina Villeneuve, The Hechinger Report

Digital Auditorium

The Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling prohibiting race-conscious admissions forced colleges to rethink how they evaluate applicants. New data can shed light on how these changes have impacted college enrollment. Better understand the impact not only to highly selective institutions, but also the trickle-down effects shaping enrollment patterns across higher education. Plus, learn about other upcoming admissions data releases.

• James Murphy, Class Action