IHE 01-20-2026 DNU

Higher ed faced upheaval and uncertainty as the president sought to overhaul colleges and universities. Some leaders hope for a more stable year two, but significant changes loom.

The Trump-overhauled National Endowment for the Humanities announced $75.1 million in grants. Western civilization, great books and other subjects conservatives support won big.

A judge ruled that the Education Department didn’t sufficiently explain its decisions or follow statutory and regulatory requirements in canceling the grants.

American Talent Initiative colleges enrolled nearly 75,000 Pell Grant students in the last 10 years, with transfers accounting for the largest gains.

Cuts to colleges that serve Native students undermine a legal and moral obligation.

By Heather J. Shotton

Remote or hybrid work is not merely a perk: It’s one of the few retention tools we have to stem the loss of experienced financial aid professionals.

By Bruce Blackmon

Treating administrators as the enemy only harms higher ed.

By Jeff Crane and Lee Bebout

Judging colleges based on graduates’ earnings sets a sensible floor for accountability. But higher ed leaders should develop a more sophisticated approach to proving the industry’s worth. “Telling our story better” won’t cut it.

By Doug Lederman

Universities as the anti-Facebook.

By Joshua Kim