Underlining what matters in higher ed and ed tech: news, vendor updates, and commentary from across the field, in one place.https://theunderline.netlify.app/source/conversation-edu/https://theconversation.com/what-colleges-and-universities-need-from-donors-to-thrive-283427https://theconversation.com/what-colleges-and-universities-need-from-donors-to-thrive-283427Graduates pass the John Harvard Statue during Harvard University's commencement on May 29, 2025. Harvard was the school's first big donor. Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images In 1638, John Harvard, an English-born Puritan minister and teacher in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, bequeathed 400 books and half…Mon, 12 Oct 2026 18:24:43 GMTWilliam Blomquist, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Indiana UniversityNewshttps://theconversation.com/why-faculty-diversity-at-universities-still-lags-far-behind-the-changing-demographics-of-college-students-292336https://theconversation.com/why-faculty-diversity-at-universities-still-lags-far-behind-the-changing-demographics-of-college-students-292336In 2022, 72% of full-time faculty across universities and colleges nationwide were white. Asian professors made up 13%, Black professors 7% and Hispanic professors 6%. skynesher/iStock via Getty Images U.S. colleges and universities have long struggled to increase the racial diversity of their faculty. And after they…Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:09:17 GMTRodney Coates, Professor of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Miami UniversityNewshttps://theconversation.com/students-from-military-families-are-often-misunderstood-in-us-public-schools-a-retired-military-officer-and-behavioral-health-expert-explains-what-schools-can-do-287552https://theconversation.com/students-from-military-families-are-often-misunderstood-in-us-public-schools-a-retired-military-officer-and-behavioral-health-expert-explains-what-schools-can-do-287552Children's responses to military life vary, depending on their age and their level of maturity. Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images Over 1.4 million children had a parent or caregiver who served in the U.S. armed forces in 2024. Among active-duty families, 2.4% of military…Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:08:58 GMTNikki R Wooten, Associate Professor of Social Work, University of South CarolinaNewshttps://theconversation.com/ai-can-help-with-academic-research-but-doesnt-always-get-it-right-here-are-some-tips-to-check-the-information-you-receive-292865https://theconversation.com/ai-can-help-with-academic-research-but-doesnt-always-get-it-right-here-are-some-tips-to-check-the-information-you-receive-292865AI tools are not all the same – and should not be used interchangeably. Mininyx Doodle/iStock/Getty Images Plus Almost 25% of adults in the United States are using artificial intelligence chatbots on a daily basis, a 2026 Pew Research Center study found. At the same time, another recent study found that 48% of the…Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:11:40 GMTAllison Faix, Librarian and Instruction Coordinator, Coastal Carolina UniversityNewshttps://theconversation.com/why-its-more-important-than-ever-to-jump-start-entrepreneurial-careers-from-the-college-classroom-292831https://theconversation.com/why-its-more-important-than-ever-to-jump-start-entrepreneurial-careers-from-the-college-classroom-292831By teaching entrepreneurship, colleges can better prepare students for a fast-changing job market and technological disruption. Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Recent college graduates are facing a job market that’s only getting tougher. Their unemployment rate hit 5.7%, compared to 4.1% for…Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:16:57 GMTRaghupathy Sivakumar, Vice President of Commercialization and Chief Commercialization Officer, Georgia Institute of…Newshttps://theconversation.com/cornell-7-case-puts-a-spotlight-on-fraternity-misconduct-and-the-limits-of-universities-power-to-stop-it-293305https://theconversation.com/cornell-7-case-puts-a-spotlight-on-fraternity-misconduct-and-the-limits-of-universities-power-to-stop-it-293305A case alleging that a Cornell sophomore was sexually assaulted by seven fraternity members is drawing national attention. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Universities have been trying for years to cut back on the abuses among fraternities, with limited resources and limited success. A new lawsuit, filed by a former…Fri, 02 Oct 2026 18:10:47 GMTPietro A. Sasso, Associate Professor of Education, Old Dominion UniversityNewshttps://theconversation.com/how-dolly-partons-imagination-library-is-helping-kids-start-reading-when-theyre-very-young-292207https://theconversation.com/how-dolly-partons-imagination-library-is-helping-kids-start-reading-when-theyre-very-young-292207By the time Dolly Parton died on Aug. 25, 2026, her Imagination Library had gifted more than 332 million children’s books to babies and kids in all 50 states and four other countries: Canada, the U.K., Australia and Ireland. If they were set end to end, these books would circle the earth 1.8 times. This free program…Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:49:15 GMTAlex H. Poole, Associate Professor of Information Science, Drexel UniversityNewshttps://theconversation.com/using-an-ai-chatbot-to-practice-new-languages-can-be-helpful-but-it-doesnt-replace-speaking-with-an-actual-person-288482https://theconversation.com/using-an-ai-chatbot-to-practice-new-languages-can-be-helpful-but-it-doesnt-replace-speaking-with-an-actual-person-288482Relying on AI chatbots to learn a new language has various drawbacks, including the propensity for the chatbots to sometimes have cultural biases and make grammatical mistakes. Andriy Onufriyenko/iStock via Getty Images Approximately 30% of U.S. adults who were learning a language in 2025 reported that they were using…Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:43:10 GMTAntonio Perez-Nunez, Associate Professor of Spanish, College of CharlestonNewshttps://theconversation.com/why-trumps-plan-to-cut-head-start-regulations-could-undermine-services-for-the-countrys-poorest-families-289845https://theconversation.com/why-trumps-plan-to-cut-head-start-regulations-could-undermine-services-for-the-countrys-poorest-families-289845A teacher leads a clay activity with students at a dual language Head Start program at Hillcrest Elementary School in Monterey Park, Calif., in August 2026. Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images For over 60 years, the federal program Head Start has helped children from low-income families get ready for…Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:45:10 GMTAlexander Thim, PhD Candidate of Economics, UMass Amherst; Westfield State UniversityNewshttps://theconversation.com/are-religious-charter-schools-constitutional-after-deadlocked-scotus-decision-another-oklahoma-case-is-trying-to-find-out-292892https://theconversation.com/are-religious-charter-schools-constitutional-after-deadlocked-scotus-decision-another-oklahoma-case-is-trying-to-find-out-292892Another case about the constitutionality of a religious charter school may be on the Supreme Court's horizon. Finn Gomez/Getty Images Just over a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered an unusual judgment: a tied vote. Without stating why, Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from Oklahoma Statewide Charter…Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:45:00 GMTCharles J. Russo, Joseph Panzer Chair in Education and Research Professor of Law, University of DaytonNewshttps://theconversation.com/college-rankings-like-those-of-us-news-and-world-report-remain-influential-despite-their-many-flaws-and-decades-of-criticism-292649https://theconversation.com/college-rankings-like-those-of-us-news-and-world-report-remain-influential-despite-their-many-flaws-and-decades-of-criticism-292649College rankings assign schools numbers that may correspond more closely with their wealth than other factors of quality, critics say. Talaj/iStock via Getty Images Plus U.S. colleges and universities are governed by many traditions – including the annual U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, which list schools based on a…Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:39:51 GMTAustin Sarat, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science, Amherst CollegeNewshttps://theconversation.com/what-civil-rights-enforcement-cuts-mean-for-students-with-disabilities-fewer-staff-closed-offices-longer-waits-285208https://theconversation.com/what-civil-rights-enforcement-cuts-mean-for-students-with-disabilities-fewer-staff-closed-offices-longer-waits-285208The Department of Education has undergone various changes, including closing regional offices of its Office for Civil Rights, since 2025. J. David Ake/Getty Images Felicita Piñón weighed just 1 pound at birth. She was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy that requires her to use a power wheelchair, and she also has…Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:42:16 GMTDavid Edward DeMatthews, Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy, The University of Texas at AustinNewshttps://theconversation.com/friendship-is-built-over-time-through-ordinary-moments-i-teach-lonely-college-students-to-notice-them-291953https://theconversation.com/friendship-is-built-over-time-through-ordinary-moments-i-teach-lonely-college-students-to-notice-them-291953Nearly 6 in 10 college students said in 2026 that they felt lonely sometimes or always. Denis Novikov/iStock/Getty Images Plus The first skill I learned when I became a political science professor nearly 20 years ago was how to quiet a room full of chatty undergraduates. These days, I often walk into a silent room,…Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:46:27 GMTJustin Vaughn, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Applied Civic Leadership, Coastal Carolina…Newshttps://theconversation.com/when-your-child-asks-if-theyll-be-harmed-like-the-people-on-the-news-what-do-you-say-psychologists-provide-tips-on-how-to-talk-about-identity-290768https://theconversation.com/when-your-child-asks-if-theyll-be-harmed-like-the-people-on-the-news-what-do-you-say-psychologists-provide-tips-on-how-to-talk-about-identity-290768Imagine your child asks you out of the blue, “If we speak Spanish, will they take you away?” Or imagine them suddenly asking what an offensive slur means. When a child asks these types of questions, it can be difficult to trace them back to a specific news story or event. But you may not need to. The question itself…Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:49:22 GMTAnahi Collado, Assistant Research Professor of Psychology, University of Colorado BoulderNewshttps://theconversation.com/the-sat-has-changed-since-it-debuted-100-years-ago-but-questions-remain-about-its-relevance-287551https://theconversation.com/the-sat-has-changed-since-it-debuted-100-years-ago-but-questions-remain-about-its-relevance-287551More than 2 million students took the SAT exam in 2025. zimmytws/iStock/Getty Images Plus In June 1926, the SAT exam was first administered to 8,000 high school students who hoped to attend elite universities. The SAT has undergone many changes since its original form 100 years ago, ranging from how the test is…Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:48:57 GMTBeth Kania-Gosche, Professor of Education, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyNewshttps://theconversation.com/learning-another-language-may-be-one-of-the-best-ways-to-keep-your-brain-healthy-as-you-age-291951https://theconversation.com/learning-another-language-may-be-one-of-the-best-ways-to-keep-your-brain-healthy-as-you-age-291951Age changes the way languages are learned, but adults remain capable of learning new languages throughout life. DrAfter123/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images Learning another language is a highly complex mental activity. It requires people to remember words, distinguish unfamiliar sounds, recognize patterns, work…Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:37:06 GMTKaren Stollznow, Senior Research Fellow of Linguistics, University of Colorado Boulder; Griffith University; University…Newshttps://theconversation.com/lockdown-or-active-shooter-drill-the-distinction-matters-for-childrens-safety-and-well-being-290133https://theconversation.com/lockdown-or-active-shooter-drill-the-distinction-matters-for-childrens-safety-and-well-being-290133Most states have laws that mandate lockdowns, but the exercises differ greatly in practice. Catherine McQueen/Moment via Getty Images School shooting preparedness drills have been a routine though uncomfortable part of the back-to-school experience. Since the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School in Jefferson…Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:34:16 GMTEmily Greene-Colozzi, Assistant Professor of Criminology and Justice Studies, UMass LowellNewshttps://theconversation.com/we-paid-college-students-about-5-a-night-to-sleep-at-least-7-hours-and-their-grades-quickly-improved-289935https://theconversation.com/we-paid-college-students-about-5-a-night-to-sleep-at-least-7-hours-and-their-grades-quickly-improved-289935Half of surveyed college students said they go to bed after 1 a.m., on average. iStock via Getty Images Plus Paying college students about US$5 a night to sleep seven hours got them a quarter more nights of adequate sleep – and better grades. That is what we found in a study we published in July 2026. We gave more…Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:37:54 GMTOsea Giuntella, Associate Professor of Economics, University of PittsburghNewshttps://theconversation.com/how-libraries-in-philadelphia-pittsburgh-and-other-pennsylvania-communities-evolved-from-subscription-clubs-to-vital-public-institutions-286940https://theconversation.com/how-libraries-in-philadelphia-pittsburgh-and-other-pennsylvania-communities-evolved-from-subscription-clubs-to-vital-public-institutions-286940Pennsylvania played a vital role in the growth and spread of public libraries in America. Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images As a librarian who researches and writes about library history in Pennsylvania, I was delighted to see the American Library Association’s efforts to celebrate its 150th…Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:37:00 GMTBernadette A. Lear, Education, Behavioral Sciences, and Social Sciences Librarian, Penn StateNewshttps://theconversation.com/to-crack-the-job-market-internships-can-be-just-as-key-for-young-people-as-the-degree-288647https://theconversation.com/to-crack-the-job-market-internships-can-be-just-as-key-for-young-people-as-the-degree-288647College students are facing one of the most precarious labor markets in years. A recent New York Federal Reserve study pointed to a sharp increase in the post-college unemployed compared with other workers, with explanations ranging from artificial intelligence job displacement to a broader slowdown in hiring. One…Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:36:30 GMTMatthew J. Mayhew, Professor of Higher Education, The Ohio State UniversityNewshttps://theconversation.com/school-choice-proponents-say-it-offers-families-more-options-but-those-dont-always-extend-to-immigrant-students-289117https://theconversation.com/school-choice-proponents-say-it-offers-families-more-options-but-those-dont-always-extend-to-immigrant-students-289117School choice gives families options, but not all families necessarily have the same ones. Andrii Yalanskyi/iStock via Getty Images Plus Educators, politicians and education observers have long debated school choice. This controversial policy approach lets families pick alternatives to their assigned neighborhood…Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:41:48 GMTWilliam McCorkle, Associate Professor of Social Studies Education, College of CharlestonNewshttps://theconversation.com/heres-how-teachers-and-parents-can-collaborate-and-help-michigans-1-4m-students-succeed-287763https://theconversation.com/heres-how-teachers-and-parents-can-collaborate-and-help-michigans-1-4m-students-succeed-287763Family engagement can help students regularly attend classes, according to researchers. Paul Sancya/AP About 1.4 million Michigan students returned to the state’s K-12 public school classrooms this fall. One of the most powerful influences on how these students will perform exists outside the classroom: the quality of…Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:56:18 GMTPatricia Edwards, Professor of Education, Michigan State UniversityNewshttps://theconversation.com/why-the-trump-administrations-bid-to-end-diversity-efforts-at-nonprofit-schools-is-likely-to-get-tied-up-in-court-291338https://theconversation.com/why-the-trump-administrations-bid-to-end-diversity-efforts-at-nonprofit-schools-is-likely-to-get-tied-up-in-court-291338Some 18,000 private schools could be affected by a proposed new rule if it goes into effect. Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The Trump administration wants to strip all nonprofit colleges, universities and private K-12 schools of their tax-exempt status if any of their programs designed to help…Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:36:53 GMTElizabeth Schmidt, Professor of Practice in Public Policy, Nonprofit Organizations, and Social & Environmental…Newshttps://theconversation.com/federal-stimulus-money-bought-new-technology-for-philly-students-but-many-schools-lost-track-of-where-items-went-289682https://theconversation.com/federal-stimulus-money-bought-new-technology-for-philly-students-but-many-schools-lost-track-of-where-items-went-289682Better tracking systems can help ensure students have the equipment they need. FatCamera/E+ Collection via Getty Images Back-to-school season is underway, and school personnel have been busy cleaning, doing repairs and setting up classrooms for the 2026-27 academic year. This work includes making sure appropriate…Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:04:48 GMTSuzanne McLeod, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Binghamton University, State University of New YorkNewshttps://theconversation.com/do-more-than-half-of-philadelphia-adults-really-read-at-or-below-5th-grade-level-its-time-for-a-new-way-to-describe-what-they-know-289464https://theconversation.com/do-more-than-half-of-philadelphia-adults-really-read-at-or-below-5th-grade-level-its-time-for-a-new-way-to-describe-what-they-know-289464Many adult learners take classes not to get a new job but to be able to help with their children's education. kali9/E+ Collection via Getty Images Over half of Philadelphia adults ages 18-64 read at a fifth grade level or below, according to a nationwide assessment released in 2020. A recent Axios Philadelphia article…Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:39:52 GMTJennifer D. Kobrin, Assistant Professor of Adult and Continuing Education, University of TennesseeNewshttps://theconversation.com/a-seemingly-technical-change-to-international-student-visas-could-disrupt-teaching-and-research-at-us-universities-290021https://theconversation.com/a-seemingly-technical-change-to-international-student-visas-could-disrupt-teaching-and-research-at-us-universities-290021New visa changes for international students are the latest step the Trump administration has taken that can make it harder for students to come to the U.S. to complete their degrees. LVector/iStock via Getty Images Plus The Trump administration is revising a visa rule for international students that in part determines…Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:35:33 GMTAbigail Boggs, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Education Studies, Wesleyan UniversityNews