Like many, I’m ready to bid adieu to 2016. But before we close the door completely and embrace 2017 with open arms, it is time to bookmark a handful of the “best of” higher ed articles from this year that are worth a reread.
- FiveThiryEight explored realities of what "college" really looks like for most applicants today – hint, it isn’t always the leafy, tree-lined campuses that the media typically depicts.
- Malcom Gladwell’s podcast “Revisionist History” featured a three-part miniseries (episodes 4-6) that took a critical look at the idea of capitalization—the measure of how well America is making use of its human potential. Gladwell focuses on the US school system, philanthropy in higher ed, and how liberal arts institutions serve underprivileged students. It is also worth reading Bowdoin’s thoughtful response to Gladwell’s episode 5 “Food Fight.”
- The Atlantic offered an inside look at what colleges pay to host a presidential debate and how the decision to host a debate typically comes down to raising visibility and bolstering its reputation.
- The Upshot showcased the success of Georgia Tech, who with the launch of its online master’s in computer science may have discovered a whole new market for higher education.
- The NY Times explored how out-of-state enrollment is changing the role of public universities. Check out the accompanying interactive map that shows the flow of each student by state.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education detailed how American University is reinventing its student services by looking at customer-service powerhouses outside of higher ed like Wegmans and Cleveland Clinic for inspiration.
- University Affairs took a critical look at university websites and the countless infuriating flaws that many of us are much too familiar with. Michael Fienen’s response digs into the issues even deeper.
- The Hechinger Report looked at the increasingly common practice of students and families negotiating the cost of college.
Missed my recap from 2015? Check it out here.
