An Alliance for Diversity
Diversity has been a hot topic in education and admissions for a while, and now a group of six schools of public affairs have joined together to create the Public Affairs Diversity Alliance. This Alliance, led by American Military University, has goals to unite the top schools to encourage, train, mentor and promote diversity in the public affairs educational world. The six schools are committed to hiring two post-doctoral fellows or visiting scholars from the Alliance each year and appoint mentors to maximize the effect of the alliance.
Source: American Military University
Growth of Innovation Campuses
The University of Rhode Island and Arizona State University partnered for one of three proposed innovation campuses aimed to help Rhode Island’s economic issues. This particular campus will focus on cybersecurity, big data and the Internet of Things regarding research, commercialization and workforce development. Brookings reported that these innovation districts are having a global impact on entrepreneurship and economic development.
Source: Education Dive
International Students Looking Outside US Still
Among the considerations international students have while looking for graduate education is the cost. The average cost of attending a college or university in the US is $25,000 a year — and skyrockets to $70,000 for more prestigious and exclusive schools. But in countries like the Netherlands, Germany and India, students can get a quality education at a fraction of the price. When adding cost factors to the growing immigration concerns and controversy over international students entering the U.S., it’s no surprise that international students aren’t picking U.S. institutions as they have in the past.
Source: VOA News
Promise Programs Offer Better Financial Options
One of the biggest struggles students face is student loan debt. With Promise programs, state and federal policymakers can help students by offering “free” or “debt-free” college options. Among the positives are the potential to increase enrollment by improving the affordability for those already enrolled. These programs can also encourage those who cannot otherwise afford college to consider enrollment. Institutions hope that these programs will also give them the opportunity to better serve underrepresented students.
Source: Century Foundation