Kevin R. McClure
@drkevinrmcclure.com
Professor of Higher Ed & Dept Chair | Author of The Caring University (JHUP, 2025) | Co-Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges | Columnist at The Chronicle of Higher Education
I think this editor has a fixation on the AAUP.
Opinion | Len Gutkin talks to the AAUP about recent intense disputes over their policy. https://chroni.cl/4rjwJBl
Academic Freedom’s Fierce Internal Fracas
The AAUP’s approach is alienating some supporters. Three leaders explain their thinking.
www.chronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I think this editor has a fixation on the AAUP.
Provost: "Every academic decision right now will be based on student demand as measured by credit hour production and ROI as measured by earnings after graduation."
Faculty: "What about the new school for civics?"
Provost: "...Except that one."
Faculty: "What about the new school for civics?"
Provost: "...Except that one."
Centers for “civic discourse” and the study of “leadership” or “democracy” are one of academe's latest and most popular trends. Leaders at some of these centers say student interest is catching up to external forces. https://chroni.cl/4pzUP9m
Schools of Civic Thought Are on the Rise. Are Students Interested?
New, sometimes controversial, centers have been pushed as a way to emphasize civic and classical education. So far, students aren’t flocking to their courses.
www.chronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Provost: "Every academic decision right now will be based on student demand as measured by credit hour production and ROI as measured by earnings after graduation."
Faculty: "What about the new school for civics?"
Provost: "...Except that one."
Faculty: "What about the new school for civics?"
Provost: "...Except that one."
This is the way.
We @uam-umd.bsky.social won. Faculty packed town halls, talked to their colleagues and collected hundreds of petition signatures. Now UMD is coughing up $8.75m, during a deficit, to fund faculty whose research is under attack. Not enough, but a helluva thing for a union the state calls illegal.
$8.75M Investment Supports ‘Research Resilience’… | Maryland Today
UMD, MPower Funds Combine to Help Preserve Institutional Capabilities, Lab Operations and More
today.umd.edu
November 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This is the way.
Hal Weiler is having too many drinks throughout the day to be vice president.
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Hal Weiler is having too many drinks throughout the day to be vice president.
People are mad about the "professional degrees" reclassification, but can't people still borrow up to $100k?
I guess the $20k annual limit could place some limits on people at certain institutions.
But at least wrt education, $100k is A LOT of debt.
I guess the $20k annual limit could place some limits on people at certain institutions.
But at least wrt education, $100k is A LOT of debt.
November 24, 2025 at 8:52 PM
People are mad about the "professional degrees" reclassification, but can't people still borrow up to $100k?
I guess the $20k annual limit could place some limits on people at certain institutions.
But at least wrt education, $100k is A LOT of debt.
I guess the $20k annual limit could place some limits on people at certain institutions.
But at least wrt education, $100k is A LOT of debt.
Pick yourself up a little holiday treat from Hopkins Press. Tons of great higher ed books, and you can get 40% off through 12/7 with the code below at checkout.
Don't miss 40% off all books now through 12/7! Use code HHOL25 to save—plus, get free shipping on $50+ orders. From essential health and wellness titles to history, popular science, and public health bestsellers, you'll find great reads for everyone on your list.
www.press.jhu.edu/bo...
www.press.jhu.edu/bo...
November 24, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Pick yourself up a little holiday treat from Hopkins Press. Tons of great higher ed books, and you can get 40% off through 12/7 with the code below at checkout.
Is there an article you like that talks about faculty morale wrt AI in the classroom?
November 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Is there an article you like that talks about faculty morale wrt AI in the classroom?
And now for the part of this article where I offer advice about all the bad shit happening in higher ed. Easy peasy.
November 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
And now for the part of this article where I offer advice about all the bad shit happening in higher ed. Easy peasy.
One thing I keep asking is: have universities' promotion standards adjusted to the increasingly difficult realities of academic publishing?
Is it even realistic for fields to require a book for tenure?
Is it even realistic for fields to require a book for tenure?
Yet another one. Sigh.
www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Under Pressure to Prove ROI, a University Closes Its Press
Bucknell University says it’s closing its storied academic press to focus more resources on undergraduate students. But faculty and other scholars say the press has long been a part of the value propo...
www.insidehighered.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
One thing I keep asking is: have universities' promotion standards adjusted to the increasingly difficult realities of academic publishing?
Is it even realistic for fields to require a book for tenure?
Is it even realistic for fields to require a book for tenure?
Talked to a faculty motivation researcher the other day who explained there's a type of motivation that's based on guilt, shame, and fear.
There's a lot of faculty output from this type of motivation that is likely celebrated but not particularly healthy. They're motivated, in a way, but...
There's a lot of faculty output from this type of motivation that is likely celebrated but not particularly healthy. They're motivated, in a way, but...
November 20, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Talked to a faculty motivation researcher the other day who explained there's a type of motivation that's based on guilt, shame, and fear.
There's a lot of faculty output from this type of motivation that is likely celebrated but not particularly healthy. They're motivated, in a way, but...
There's a lot of faculty output from this type of motivation that is likely celebrated but not particularly healthy. They're motivated, in a way, but...
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
Costs (the money needed to provide an education) have risen. Prices (what students pay) have been at or below inflation for the past decade. That doesn't get nearly enough attention.
NPR folks, you know where to find me.
NPR folks, you know where to find me.
November 20, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Costs (the money needed to provide an education) have risen. Prices (what students pay) have been at or below inflation for the past decade. That doesn't get nearly enough attention.
NPR folks, you know where to find me.
NPR folks, you know where to find me.
Not the point but seems very likely his "teaching" is sitting in a chair and talking about stuff.
November 20, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Not the point but seems very likely his "teaching" is sitting in a chair and talking about stuff.
Yes it does but last night's game was still fun.
From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: Suddenly, a World Cup run doesn't seem so crazy for the U.S. men's soccer team.
USMNT’s reality has shifted, and Pochettino now has dreams of ‘impossible’ World Cup run
The USMNT coach has overseen a spirited upturn in fortunes after a poor start to 2025. Suddenly, a World Cup run doesn't seem so crazy
nyti.ms
November 19, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Yes it does but last night's game was still fun.
It's hard for me to overstate how bananas the accreditation process is for colleges of education.
November 19, 2025 at 6:56 PM
It's hard for me to overstate how bananas the accreditation process is for colleges of education.
One of the interesting tensions I've seen in my time as a faculty member is between what we might think of teaching versus course management.
Teaching being maybe what happens in a class session or 1:1, while course management includes syllabus clarity, LMS management/design, communication, etc.
Teaching being maybe what happens in a class session or 1:1, while course management includes syllabus clarity, LMS management/design, communication, etc.
November 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
One of the interesting tensions I've seen in my time as a faculty member is between what we might think of teaching versus course management.
Teaching being maybe what happens in a class session or 1:1, while course management includes syllabus clarity, LMS management/design, communication, etc.
Teaching being maybe what happens in a class session or 1:1, while course management includes syllabus clarity, LMS management/design, communication, etc.
❤️
If you're the parent of a disabled kid, I just want to tell you I know it's hard and I know you feel like you're failing constantly, but you're doing it and you're doing the best you can and your kid absolutely loves you for it.
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
❤️
Ravens - Browns was probably the ugliest football I've seen all season. Really raised some questions about this as a professional sport.
November 17, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Ravens - Browns was probably the ugliest football I've seen all season. Really raised some questions about this as a professional sport.
We didn't snap a photo because we're silly, but just wanted to give a shout out to @leegee.bsky.social who was gracious enough to read my book, drive at the crack of dawn to a conference hotel, and do a little Q&A session with me.
I'm fortunate to call him a friend and thought partner.
I'm fortunate to call him a friend and thought partner.
November 12, 2025 at 11:32 PM
We didn't snap a photo because we're silly, but just wanted to give a shout out to @leegee.bsky.social who was gracious enough to read my book, drive at the crack of dawn to a conference hotel, and do a little Q&A session with me.
I'm fortunate to call him a friend and thought partner.
I'm fortunate to call him a friend and thought partner.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
Listening to @drkevinrmcclure.com present on the Caring University as part of the PASSHE conference post-summit. Kevin lists
1. campus strategy
2. equity & belonging
3. rights & voices
4. caring leadership
5. growth & pay, and
6. humanizing policies
as steps HE leaders can take to improve.
1. campus strategy
2. equity & belonging
3. rights & voices
4. caring leadership
5. growth & pay, and
6. humanizing policies
as steps HE leaders can take to improve.
November 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Listening to @drkevinrmcclure.com present on the Caring University as part of the PASSHE conference post-summit. Kevin lists
1. campus strategy
2. equity & belonging
3. rights & voices
4. caring leadership
5. growth & pay, and
6. humanizing policies
as steps HE leaders can take to improve.
1. campus strategy
2. equity & belonging
3. rights & voices
4. caring leadership
5. growth & pay, and
6. humanizing policies
as steps HE leaders can take to improve.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
Hi! We’re a coffee shop where you had a work meeting eight months ago. Would you like to get two emails a week for the rest of your life?
November 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Hi! We’re a coffee shop where you had a work meeting eight months ago. Would you like to get two emails a week for the rest of your life?
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
"Hiring professors with PhDs is meaningless if administrators are the ones deciding what gets taught,” he said. “Faculty will start asking not, ‘Is this accurate?’ but ‘Will this get me in trouble?’ That’s not education, it’s risk management.”
#HigherEd
#HigherEd
Leonard Bright, president of the Texas A&M Chapter of the AAUP said faculty were not consulted on the proposed changes, which he called “a direct violation” of their expertise + freedom to teach. “If that’s the case, there’s just going to be a further black eye on higher education here in Texas.”
Texas A&M to vote on banning “race and gender ideology”
The proposal appears to mark the first time a Texas university system offers definitions of what kind of instruction related to race and gender should not be permitted.
www.texastribune.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:57 AM
"Hiring professors with PhDs is meaningless if administrators are the ones deciding what gets taught,” he said. “Faculty will start asking not, ‘Is this accurate?’ but ‘Will this get me in trouble?’ That’s not education, it’s risk management.”
#HigherEd
#HigherEd
Sick to my stomach. They are cutting a really, really strong Educational Administration department with some top-notch faculty.
There is very little public service ethos left in higher ed. You either contribute to revenue/prestige in particular ways, or you are expendable.
There is very little public service ethos left in higher ed. You either contribute to revenue/prestige in particular ways, or you are expendable.
November 11, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Sick to my stomach. They are cutting a really, really strong Educational Administration department with some top-notch faculty.
There is very little public service ethos left in higher ed. You either contribute to revenue/prestige in particular ways, or you are expendable.
There is very little public service ethos left in higher ed. You either contribute to revenue/prestige in particular ways, or you are expendable.
This is next trip is just long enough that I have to actually be strategic about what I pack. And I hate it.
November 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
This is next trip is just long enough that I have to actually be strategic about what I pack. And I hate it.
One little thing I've learned through all of this that might be good for academics to know - it's hard to sell books. People have a ton of options and finite attention/resources.
Getting lots of emails these days from people selling "Amazon visibility and sales" services to authors. It feels pretty predatory.
November 11, 2025 at 12:25 PM
One little thing I've learned through all of this that might be good for academics to know - it's hard to sell books. People have a ton of options and finite attention/resources.
Getting lots of emails these days from people selling "Amazon visibility and sales" services to authors. It feels pretty predatory.
November 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Getting lots of emails these days from people selling "Amazon visibility and sales" services to authors. It feels pretty predatory.