Institute for Higher Education Policy

This season presents opportunities to share gratitude for IHEP’s hard-working team and engaged partners, celebrate our impact, and set sights on the year ahead. It’s also a time for reflection. A time to reflect on progress towards our vision of a more equitable and just society through higher education, and a time to reflect on the vital need to continue our efforts with persistence and zeal into 2025 and beyond.    In a new blog post, IHEP President and CEO Mamie Voight shares end-of-year reflections about our research, advocacy and field engagement. She also previews what’s to come for IHEP in the new year. Voight draws inspiration from Maya Angelou's powerful poem Continue and notes the verses offer a poignant reminder of the difference we can make, both individually and as small collectives. Read Mamie's message: https://lnkd.in/exKeqtTi #highered #studentsuccess #equityineducation #celebrate

"Earning a college credential is still a worthwhile investment for many students. Addressing affordability concerns on the front end is a really critical way to ensure that that opportunity is available to more students." Our Associate Director of Research and Policy, Kimberly Dancy, spoke with Business Insider about the latest trends in college pricing and what they means for today's students: https://lnkd.in/ewbwxaUv #highered #collegeaffordability #financialaid Ayelet Sheffey

I am thrilled to have been named Chair of the Institute for Higher Education Policy's board of directors just last week. Given the depth and breadth of IHEP's work, all in service to postsecondary students and the community that serves them, I couldn't be more honored. Board service is not only a way to serve one's community; it provides incredible learning opportunities for those who serve. I am excited to do all that I can to assist in advancing IHEP's mission and am especially looking forward to working alongside the entire IHEP team, including my fellow board officers, Ajita Talwalker Menon and Denisa Gandara.

We are proud to announce our new Board leadership! Please join us in welcoming MaryEllen McGuire, Ajita Talwalker Menon, and Denisa Gandara to their new roles as Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary, respectively. We are grateful to Peter O. Nwosu, Ph.D. for his exceptional leadership as Chair and look forward to his continued contributions as a board member. Learn more about our new leadership team and their commitment to advancing higher education: https://lnkd.in/dfiRpYkh #higherEd #leadership #educationpolicy #studentsuccess

Thank you Education Commission of the States for holding this important conversation about affordability, value, and the future of #HigherEd! ⬇️ Informed policymakers create better policies.

In our latest white paper, released today, Complete College America calls on higher education leaders and practitioners to strengthen American democracy by prioritizing civic engagement and civic education across the student experience in the wake of a contentious election. It's more important than ever for colleges and universities to make civic education a priority, as public trust in institutions is deeply connected to both higher education and democracy. Read Complete College, America: Harnessing the Power of Higher Education to Renew American Democracy: https://lnkd.in/eY3MFdwX #Democracy #HigherEducation #CivicEngagement #CivicLearning #CCADoesTheWork

Beyond elated at the publication of our latest signature report at Complete College America - Complete College, America: Harnessing the Power of Higher Education to Renew American Democracy. With the election there are a handful of takes on the link between postsecondary access and civic engagement, as well as the curricular implications of the latter, but more rare is the description of the frayed linkage between college completion and democracy. Sky-high attrition leads to distrust in public systems in general, which partly predicts democratic health. Understanding higher ed attainment patterns is the way in - to understanding, and to solving, economic and civic mobility problems alike. To meet the moment we must be comprehensive but precise in the role our specific professions --- in my and my org's case, college completion --- play in community and civic health and impact. So I really hope you find the time to read our latest: https://lnkd.in/gEbKqJ54

Student experience and belonging are key drivers of postsecondary success. When students feel connected to their college community, they are more likely to persist, achieve academically, and improve their mental health. By implementing strategies like growth mindset teaching, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and using empathetic communication, institutions can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. These interventions have been shown to positively impact student outcomes, particularly for historically marginalized groups. Federal policymakers can play a crucial role in promoting student experience and belonging by investing in programs that support these initiatives and recognizing institutions that prioritize them. By prioritizing student well-being and fostering a sense of belonging, we can help more students reach their full potential. Read the full resource: https://lnkd.in/eZAx_Zcr #studentsuccess #collegecompletion #belonging #studentexperience

We led a coalition of over 30 partners to inform the National Center for Education Statistics' (NCES) inaugural Data Users Conference. Our letter highlights the critical role of data in addressing equity and improving educational outcomes. We urge NCES to prioritize the following in its conference planning: 🪪 Implementation of SPD15: We advocate for robust discussions on the implementation of the Office of Management and Budget’s Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (SPD15), which aims to improve data collection on race and ethnicity. 🧾 Guidance on FTI: We call for guidance on the treatment of Federal Tax Information (FTI) found on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) following recent legislative changes. 🏫 Recruitment of diverse participants: We encourage NCES to actively recruit participants with expertise in specific student groups’ experiences, representing a diverse group of institutions, and leverage membership organizations and associations to support outreach. 📊 Preserving and Improving Postsecondary Sample Studies: We emphasize the importance of NCES postsecondary sample studies, such as the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) and the Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study (B&B) in understanding student pathways, affordability, and outcomes. 📈 Improving IPEDS: We recommend discussing recent changes to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and was to enhance the data system to better capture the experiences of diverse student populations, particularly students with disabilities. Read the full letter and list of signatories: https://lnkd.in/eVSrzFam #highered #postsecdata #IPEDS #FAFSA #SPD15

With each generation, unmet need decreases only slightly for immigrant students of color and Black immigrant students in particular continue to face the highest unmet need. Key findings from our new analysis: 💰 First-generation Asian, Black, and Hispanic immigrant students all had notably higher shares of unmet need, at 83%, 86% and 85%, respectively, than White first-generation immigrant students (74%). 💰 Even after three generations in the U.S., over 80% Hispanic students still faced unmet need.  💰 Black immigrant students faced the highest average unmet need by a considerable margin, at $9,106, and that burden remained high ($8,893) even for Black students who had been in the U.S. for three or more generations. Read our full findings and policy recommendations: https://lnkd.in/gVsVur8e Graph key- Red represents first-gen immigrants, teal is second-gen immigrants with both parents foreign born, light gray is second-gen immigrants with one parent foreign both, and dark gray represents third-gen immigrants or higher. #immigrantstudents #firstgen #collegeaffordability #financialaid