Eric Waldo
@ewwaldo.bsky.social
Rosie & Evie’s Dad.
CEO DC CAP Scholars.
Then: Reach Higher; Obama White House; DCOS for Arne Duncan; Obama 07-08. Policy, pop culture & politics. Cleveland Proud. 🇵🇷.
Views = mine
CEO DC CAP Scholars.
Then: Reach Higher; Obama White House; DCOS for Arne Duncan; Obama 07-08. Policy, pop culture & politics. Cleveland Proud. 🇵🇷.
Views = mine
Reposted by Eric Waldo
"I understand that it’s very hard for parents to have their kids home for extended periods of time, especially parents of young children...But conditions were not safe for many students asked to attend class that day," writes ninth-grader Rayna Leibowitz Hampton.
Opinion: If D.C. can’t clear all roads, it shouldn’t send students to class
Kids deserve consideration in school reopening plans, writes a Jackson-Reed High School student.
51st.news
February 8, 2026 at 3:01 PM
"I understand that it’s very hard for parents to have their kids home for extended periods of time, especially parents of young children...But conditions were not safe for many students asked to attend class that day," writes ninth-grader Rayna Leibowitz Hampton.
BIG NEWS for DC students and families.
Yesterday, the President signed the FY26 appropriations bill, which includes a 50% increase in the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG)—raising the annual award from $10,000 to $15,000 per student.
This is the first increase since DCTAG was established in 1999
Yesterday, the President signed the FY26 appropriations bill, which includes a 50% increase in the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG)—raising the annual award from $10,000 to $15,000 per student.
This is the first increase since DCTAG was established in 1999
February 4, 2026 at 5:38 PM
BIG NEWS for DC students and families.
Yesterday, the President signed the FY26 appropriations bill, which includes a 50% increase in the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG)—raising the annual award from $10,000 to $15,000 per student.
This is the first increase since DCTAG was established in 1999
Yesterday, the President signed the FY26 appropriations bill, which includes a 50% increase in the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG)—raising the annual award from $10,000 to $15,000 per student.
This is the first increase since DCTAG was established in 1999
Reposted by Eric Waldo
For The Ringer, I wrote about how amazing it was that the brilliant Catherine O'Hara finally became a superstar in her 60s, and how sad it is that she was taken from us just when we had all finally begun to appreciate her:
Catherine O’Hara Could Do Anything
And she pretty much did everything. The only tragedy is that it feels like she was just beginning to get the recognition her decades-long career always deserved.
www.theringer.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:33 AM
For The Ringer, I wrote about how amazing it was that the brilliant Catherine O'Hara finally became a superstar in her 60s, and how sad it is that she was taken from us just when we had all finally begun to appreciate her:
Great to speak at the UERU Association National Conference today about the power and importance of first-gen student success.
Proud to share some lessons learned from my time at the White House and my time leading DC CAP Scholars
Proud to share some lessons learned from my time at the White House and my time leading DC CAP Scholars
January 21, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Great to speak at the UERU Association National Conference today about the power and importance of first-gen student success.
Proud to share some lessons learned from my time at the White House and my time leading DC CAP Scholars
Proud to share some lessons learned from my time at the White House and my time leading DC CAP Scholars
¡Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2025 at 6:48 PM
¡Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas!
NEWS:
DC CAP Scholars is proud to be a recipient of a generous gift from MacKenzie Scott and her team at Yield Giving.
So proud of this team.
This recognition is as good as it gets from the most trusted name in philanthropy.
We will keep pushing for ALL DC students to get to and through college
DC CAP Scholars is proud to be a recipient of a generous gift from MacKenzie Scott and her team at Yield Giving.
So proud of this team.
This recognition is as good as it gets from the most trusted name in philanthropy.
We will keep pushing for ALL DC students to get to and through college
December 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
NEWS:
DC CAP Scholars is proud to be a recipient of a generous gift from MacKenzie Scott and her team at Yield Giving.
So proud of this team.
This recognition is as good as it gets from the most trusted name in philanthropy.
We will keep pushing for ALL DC students to get to and through college
DC CAP Scholars is proud to be a recipient of a generous gift from MacKenzie Scott and her team at Yield Giving.
So proud of this team.
This recognition is as good as it gets from the most trusted name in philanthropy.
We will keep pushing for ALL DC students to get to and through college
Reposted by Eric Waldo
I said roughly ten percent of the things I could have said about Rob Reiner.
Remembering Rob Reiner, who made movies for people who love them
The movies Reiner directed, from A Few Good Men to The Princess Bride, weren't just good — they were people's favorites, the types of films people come back to again and again.
www.npr.org
December 15, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I said roughly ten percent of the things I could have said about Rob Reiner.
Rosie on her own picked out a Brown shirt for me today. Just heartbroken for our community.
December 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Rosie on her own picked out a Brown shirt for me today. Just heartbroken for our community.
Please help, friends!
My panel for SXSWEDU is up and if you vote for it, we’ll get to share how DC CAP Scholars has closed college achievement gaps where national fixes have stalled.
Voting is open until Aug 24.
Please create an account, & tap the heart. 🙏🙏🙏
t.co/6rBkJYv4Iz
My panel for SXSWEDU is up and if you vote for it, we’ll get to share how DC CAP Scholars has closed college achievement gaps where national fixes have stalled.
Voting is open until Aug 24.
Please create an account, & tap the heart. 🙏🙏🙏
t.co/6rBkJYv4Iz
August 14, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Please help, friends!
My panel for SXSWEDU is up and if you vote for it, we’ll get to share how DC CAP Scholars has closed college achievement gaps where national fixes have stalled.
Voting is open until Aug 24.
Please create an account, & tap the heart. 🙏🙏🙏
t.co/6rBkJYv4Iz
My panel for SXSWEDU is up and if you vote for it, we’ll get to share how DC CAP Scholars has closed college achievement gaps where national fixes have stalled.
Voting is open until Aug 24.
Please create an account, & tap the heart. 🙏🙏🙏
t.co/6rBkJYv4Iz
Reposted by Eric Waldo
Survey: Most Parents Still Want Their Kids to Go to College
A new survey from @gallup.com and the Lumina Foundation shows that the majority of parents prefer that their children’s plans after high school include some form of higher ed. bit.ly/4lB7BSF
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
A new survey from @gallup.com and the Lumina Foundation shows that the majority of parents prefer that their children’s plans after high school include some form of higher ed. bit.ly/4lB7BSF
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
Most Parents Still Want Their Kids to Go to College
A new survey from Gallup and the Lumina Foundation shows that the majority of parents, no matter their party affiliation, prefer that their children’s plans after high school include some form of high...
bit.ly
August 7, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Survey: Most Parents Still Want Their Kids to Go to College
A new survey from @gallup.com and the Lumina Foundation shows that the majority of parents prefer that their children’s plans after high school include some form of higher ed. bit.ly/4lB7BSF
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
A new survey from @gallup.com and the Lumina Foundation shows that the majority of parents prefer that their children’s plans after high school include some form of higher ed. bit.ly/4lB7BSF
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
Reposted by Eric Waldo
There are ways to reduce #dementia risk:
🦻get hearing checked
🚶♂️exercise
👭stay social
But beware of #pseudoscience. A family member was sold “light therapy for the brain.”
If it cured dementia, it’d be the first.
Physicians aren’t hiding cures—we’re trying to protect from harm.
#BrainHealth #NIH
🦻get hearing checked
🚶♂️exercise
👭stay social
But beware of #pseudoscience. A family member was sold “light therapy for the brain.”
If it cured dementia, it’d be the first.
Physicians aren’t hiding cures—we’re trying to protect from harm.
#BrainHealth #NIH
June 13, 2025 at 3:50 PM
There are ways to reduce #dementia risk:
🦻get hearing checked
🚶♂️exercise
👭stay social
But beware of #pseudoscience. A family member was sold “light therapy for the brain.”
If it cured dementia, it’d be the first.
Physicians aren’t hiding cures—we’re trying to protect from harm.
#BrainHealth #NIH
🦻get hearing checked
🚶♂️exercise
👭stay social
But beware of #pseudoscience. A family member was sold “light therapy for the brain.”
If it cured dementia, it’d be the first.
Physicians aren’t hiding cures—we’re trying to protect from harm.
#BrainHealth #NIH
Reposted by Eric Waldo
wow, the trump budget request to congress (this is NOT the medicaid/snap/tax cuts bill) calls to cut the maximum pell grant award by $1,685
May 30, 2025 at 10:13 PM
wow, the trump budget request to congress (this is NOT the medicaid/snap/tax cuts bill) calls to cut the maximum pell grant award by $1,685
Proud husband alert!
Katie Waldo was named by The Washingtonian as one of DC’s 500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy of 2025.
Since she helped found We The Action in 2017, she has been activating pro-bono lawyers to support nonprofits. Even more important today!
Katie Waldo was named by The Washingtonian as one of DC’s 500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy of 2025.
Since she helped found We The Action in 2017, she has been activating pro-bono lawyers to support nonprofits. Even more important today!
May 8, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Proud husband alert!
Katie Waldo was named by The Washingtonian as one of DC’s 500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy of 2025.
Since she helped found We The Action in 2017, she has been activating pro-bono lawyers to support nonprofits. Even more important today!
Katie Waldo was named by The Washingtonian as one of DC’s 500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy of 2025.
Since she helped found We The Action in 2017, she has been activating pro-bono lawyers to support nonprofits. Even more important today!
🎉 IT’S TIME! DC’s biggest celebration for students is BACK!
📅 April 11, 2025 | 📍 @CapitalOneArena
For #CollegeSigningDay 2025, we are doubling down in our celebration of DC students' commitment to their post-secondary education.
Stay tuned for more details! 🎓
📅 April 11, 2025 | 📍 @CapitalOneArena
For #CollegeSigningDay 2025, we are doubling down in our celebration of DC students' commitment to their post-secondary education.
Stay tuned for more details! 🎓
March 15, 2025 at 11:49 AM
🎉 IT’S TIME! DC’s biggest celebration for students is BACK!
📅 April 11, 2025 | 📍 @CapitalOneArena
For #CollegeSigningDay 2025, we are doubling down in our celebration of DC students' commitment to their post-secondary education.
Stay tuned for more details! 🎓
📅 April 11, 2025 | 📍 @CapitalOneArena
For #CollegeSigningDay 2025, we are doubling down in our celebration of DC students' commitment to their post-secondary education.
Stay tuned for more details! 🎓
Reposted by Eric Waldo
Every single philanthropic institution needs to do this rather than retracting right now.
abcnews-go-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/abcnews....
abcnews-go-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/abcnews....
MacArthur Foundation to increase giving for two years in response to 'crisis'
The John D
abcnews-go-com.cdn.ampproject.org
February 27, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Every single philanthropic institution needs to do this rather than retracting right now.
abcnews-go-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/abcnews....
abcnews-go-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/abcnews....
Reposted by Eric Waldo
We’re in the middle of the worst flu outbreak in 15 years. 😷
But, we’re canceling the meeting to plan for this years’ flu vaccine.
And we’re about to cut #Medicaid for 72 Million poor and disabled Americans.
What could go wrong?
But, we’re canceling the meeting to plan for this years’ flu vaccine.
And we’re about to cut #Medicaid for 72 Million poor and disabled Americans.
What could go wrong?
I believe we have breaking news in Inside Medicine.
I spoke to a member of the FDA vaccine committee who confirmed that the meeting to decide the 2025-2026 flu shot composition was abruptly canceled today.
My on-the-record Q&A with the FDA advisor:
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-fda-...
I spoke to a member of the FDA vaccine committee who confirmed that the meeting to decide the 2025-2026 flu shot composition was abruptly canceled today.
My on-the-record Q&A with the FDA advisor:
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-fda-...
Scoop: FDA vaccine meeting abruptly canceled. Meeting was to determine 2025-2026 influenza vaccine composition.
Hi everyone,
open.substack.com
February 27, 2025 at 1:40 AM
We’re in the middle of the worst flu outbreak in 15 years. 😷
But, we’re canceling the meeting to plan for this years’ flu vaccine.
And we’re about to cut #Medicaid for 72 Million poor and disabled Americans.
What could go wrong?
But, we’re canceling the meeting to plan for this years’ flu vaccine.
And we’re about to cut #Medicaid for 72 Million poor and disabled Americans.
What could go wrong?
Reposted by Eric Waldo
Trials abandoned due to the stop-work order on USAID-funded research:
February 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Trials abandoned due to the stop-work order on USAID-funded research:
Not great.
This chart encapsulates today's NAEP Score report. Only high achieving kids are making some catch up progress, the bottom is falling. Read my story: hechingerreport.org/naep-test-20...
January 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Not great.
True story: I once hosted a meeting at ED with Peter Yarrow and @alexdsanchez.bsky.social and he brought his guitar and told us stories and of course advocated for music in schools.
Crazy thing is he was in my dad’s fraternity at Cornell and just a few years below him. They were friends. RIP
Crazy thing is he was in my dad’s fraternity at Cornell and just a few years below him. They were friends. RIP
Peter Yarrow, singer-songwriter and founding member of the folk-music trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died at 86. cnn.it/4gGn8Pp
January 8, 2025 at 2:23 PM
True story: I once hosted a meeting at ED with Peter Yarrow and @alexdsanchez.bsky.social and he brought his guitar and told us stories and of course advocated for music in schools.
Crazy thing is he was in my dad’s fraternity at Cornell and just a few years below him. They were friends. RIP
Crazy thing is he was in my dad’s fraternity at Cornell and just a few years below him. They were friends. RIP
🎓 2024 was a landmark year for DC-CAP.
This year, we celebrated:
✅ College Signing Day, honoring 2,500+ DC students
✅ Launch of our 2050 Moonshot Goal to raise DC’s college graduation rate to 80%
✅ A streamlined application, making aid more accessible than ever
Help here: dccap.org/donate
This year, we celebrated:
✅ College Signing Day, honoring 2,500+ DC students
✅ Launch of our 2050 Moonshot Goal to raise DC’s college graduation rate to 80%
✅ A streamlined application, making aid more accessible than ever
Help here: dccap.org/donate
Donate | DC-CAP
Your donations help us make the college and career dreams of DC students come true. We thank you for your support.
dccap.org
December 3, 2024 at 8:42 PM
🎓 2024 was a landmark year for DC-CAP.
This year, we celebrated:
✅ College Signing Day, honoring 2,500+ DC students
✅ Launch of our 2050 Moonshot Goal to raise DC’s college graduation rate to 80%
✅ A streamlined application, making aid more accessible than ever
Help here: dccap.org/donate
This year, we celebrated:
✅ College Signing Day, honoring 2,500+ DC students
✅ Launch of our 2050 Moonshot Goal to raise DC’s college graduation rate to 80%
✅ A streamlined application, making aid more accessible than ever
Help here: dccap.org/donate
Happy Thanksgiving! I love my family, my friends, and the work I get to do. Feeling grateful for all it.
November 28, 2024 at 4:52 PM
Happy Thanksgiving! I love my family, my friends, and the work I get to do. Feeling grateful for all it.
Thank you to Nic Jafarieh, Jen Byers, and the entire team at the Sallie Mae Fund for their generous $75K check to DCCAP Scholars.
A real treat to have a check presentation ceremony at the Caps game tonight.
A real treat to have a check presentation ceremony at the Caps game tonight.
November 24, 2024 at 1:14 AM
Thank you to Nic Jafarieh, Jen Byers, and the entire team at the Sallie Mae Fund for their generous $75K check to DCCAP Scholars.
A real treat to have a check presentation ceremony at the Caps game tonight.
A real treat to have a check presentation ceremony at the Caps game tonight.
Reposted by Eric Waldo
It’s Prince’s birthday
This is my favourite story about him by a country mile
This is my favourite story about him by a country mile
June 7, 2024 at 8:46 PM
It’s Prince’s birthday
This is my favourite story about him by a country mile
This is my favourite story about him by a country mile
The 2050 Moonshot goal for DC made it into the Sunday WaPo!
Please read more about how we want to raise the bar for DC students through higher education
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Please read more about how we want to raise the bar for DC students through higher education
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
D.C. wants more kids to finish college. Here’s what it would take.
Roughly 18 out of 100 of D.C. ninth-graders finish college within six years of graduating high school, an estimate shows. City leaders want to raise it to 80 percent.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 5, 2024 at 12:49 PM
The 2050 Moonshot goal for DC made it into the Sunday WaPo!
Please read more about how we want to raise the bar for DC students through higher education
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Please read more about how we want to raise the bar for DC students through higher education
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...