David Jesse
@reporterdavidj.bsky.social
Senior writer covering leadership at Chronicle of Higher Education. Ex-Detroit Free Press. Spencer Education Reporting Fellow. Once named best education reporter in country by Education Writers Association https://www.chronicle.com/author/david-jesse
I'm excited to be named as an @edwriters.bsky.social reporting fellow. I've long been interested in rural education and will be spending time in Wyoming digging into how higher ed there is working, what changes might be on the horizon and how they impact students. #EWAFellows ewa.org/members-news...
EWA Reporting Fellowship: Meet the Class 21 Fellows
The EWA Reporting Fellowship recipients in class 21 will receive financial awards for innovative education journalism. Learn more.
ewa.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I'm excited to be named as an @edwriters.bsky.social reporting fellow. I've long been interested in rural education and will be spending time in Wyoming digging into how higher ed there is working, what changes might be on the horizon and how they impact students. #EWAFellows ewa.org/members-news...
The life expectancy of a presidency at any institution is rapidly falling, with little time for ruminations about a vision. Instead, because time is fleeting, the transition period between presidencies is even more important, experts said. www.chronicle.com/article/insi...
Inside the All-Important Presidential Transition
As tenures get shorter, leaders who straddle two campuses must use their time wisely.
www.chronicle.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The life expectancy of a presidency at any institution is rapidly falling, with little time for ruminations about a vision. Instead, because time is fleeting, the transition period between presidencies is even more important, experts said. www.chronicle.com/article/insi...
For those of you who visit different campuses or talk with friends at different campuses than yours: I'm looking for campuses that are struggling with deferred maintenance issues because of tight budget. Send me a DM or an email ([email protected]) with suggestions for where I should look.
October 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
For those of you who visit different campuses or talk with friends at different campuses than yours: I'm looking for campuses that are struggling with deferred maintenance issues because of tight budget. Send me a DM or an email ([email protected]) with suggestions for where I should look.
What will the killing of Charlie Kirk mean for higher education and the country? Check out the College Matters podcast to hear analysis from The Chronicle’s Jack Stripling and Nell Gluckman. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Meaning of Charlie Kirk
Podcast Episode · College Matters from The Chronicle · 09/11/2025 · 27m
podcasts.apple.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:54 PM
What will the killing of Charlie Kirk mean for higher education and the country? Check out the College Matters podcast to hear analysis from The Chronicle’s Jack Stripling and Nell Gluckman. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
In Detroit this week for the annual Education Writers Association's gathering of higher education reporters. Are you in town to attend or speak? Want to catch up over a cup of coffee? Grab me and we'll make it happen.
September 9, 2025 at 11:41 AM
In Detroit this week for the annual Education Writers Association's gathering of higher education reporters. Are you in town to attend or speak? Want to catch up over a cup of coffee? Grab me and we'll make it happen.
Did Northwestern University's president think about hiring an anti-Israeli rabbi in order to get students to take down a campus encampment? www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The Gaza Protests Are Still Haunting College Leaders. A Candid Interview With One President Shows How.
In a lengthy exchange released the same day Michael H. Schill resigned as Northwestern University’s president, a deal he struck with protesters loomed large.
www.chronicle.com
September 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Did Northwestern University's president think about hiring an anti-Israeli rabbi in order to get students to take down a campus encampment? www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
Reposted by David Jesse
The Trump administration violated Harvard University's rights when it canceled hundreds of grants over antisemitism, a judge ruled Wednesday.
‘A Robust Victory’: Federal Judge Says Harvard Should Have Billions of Research Dollars Restored
The judge, Allison D. Burroughs, ruled that the Trump administration’s explanation for canceling the grants — that Harvard had done too little to respond to antisemitism — rang hollow.
chroni.cl
September 3, 2025 at 10:35 PM
The Trump administration violated Harvard University's rights when it canceled hundreds of grants over antisemitism, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Have you been through, or are currently going through, a leadership training aimed at turning you into a senior academic leader - even a president? I'd like to talk to you for a story I'm doing. Feel free to DM me, or email me [email protected]
August 18, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Have you been through, or are currently going through, a leadership training aimed at turning you into a senior academic leader - even a president? I'd like to talk to you for a story I'm doing. Feel free to DM me, or email me [email protected]
“Most people want a college degree and have options to choose from, just as they do vehicles. We built a system of education organized around competition. Why, then, are we surprised when we see it?” www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The College That’s Thriving Under Trump
Federal scrutiny has been a rare sap on Grand Canyon University’s growth. Until now.
www.chronicle.com
August 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
“Most people want a college degree and have options to choose from, just as they do vehicles. We built a system of education organized around competition. Why, then, are we surprised when we see it?” www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
Reposted by David Jesse
Great chat last week with The @chronicle.com of Higher Education on keeping institutions moving forward in turbulent times.
Thanks to @reporterdavidj.bsky.social , Leslie Brunelli, and @jordanackermi.bsky.social for their insights.
Watch: www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
Thanks to @reporterdavidj.bsky.social , Leslie Brunelli, and @jordanackermi.bsky.social for their insights.
Watch: www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
Keeping Your Institution Moving Forward in Turbulent Times
ON DEMAND: In a year marked by political volatility and financial uncertainty, the pressure on higher-education leaders has never been greater. Discover how leaders continue to advance their strategic...
www.chronicle.com
August 6, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Great chat last week with The @chronicle.com of Higher Education on keeping institutions moving forward in turbulent times.
Thanks to @reporterdavidj.bsky.social , Leslie Brunelli, and @jordanackermi.bsky.social for their insights.
Watch: www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
Thanks to @reporterdavidj.bsky.social , Leslie Brunelli, and @jordanackermi.bsky.social for their insights.
Watch: www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
If Harvard and Columbia are the clear losers under the Trump administration, Grand Canyon is a clear winner. On a campus that celebrated in the streets when Trump won, the change in administrations has meant a seismic shift in how the college is viewed in D.C.
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The College That’s Thriving Under Trump
Federal scrutiny has been a rare sap on Grand Canyon University’s growth. Until now.
www.chronicle.com
August 5, 2025 at 9:47 PM
If Harvard and Columbia are the clear losers under the Trump administration, Grand Canyon is a clear winner. On a campus that celebrated in the streets when Trump won, the change in administrations has meant a seismic shift in how the college is viewed in D.C.
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
We’ve been vacationing at this same spot on Lake Huron for the last dozen years or so, just outside Mackinac city at the top of Michigan’s lower peninsula. If you’ve never been up here before, you should put it on your list — it’s the perfect spot.
August 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
We’ve been vacationing at this same spot on Lake Huron for the last dozen years or so, just outside Mackinac city at the top of Michigan’s lower peninsula. If you’ve never been up here before, you should put it on your list — it’s the perfect spot.
You've still got time to get signed up for tomorrow's panel I'm hosting, featuring University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker, Washington State University CFO Leslie Brunelli and Weber State University President Brad Mortensen www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
Keeping Your Institution Moving Forward in Turbulent Times
UPCOMING: July 31, 2025 | 2 p.m. ET In a year marked by political volatility and financial uncertainty, the pressure on higher-education leaders has never been greater. Discover how leaders continue t...
www.chronicle.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:52 PM
You've still got time to get signed up for tomorrow's panel I'm hosting, featuring University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker, Washington State University CFO Leslie Brunelli and Weber State University President Brad Mortensen www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
Reposted by David Jesse
U. of Florida is extending interim President Kent Fuchs’ contract through Sept. 1 as it continues to find a temporary successor after Santa J. Ono’s failed bid. A new search will launch early 2026. www.wuft.org/fresh-take-f...
UF keeps interim president for another month
President Kent Fuchs has agreed to a one-month contract extension ending Sept. 1.
www.wuft.org
July 29, 2025 at 7:53 PM
U. of Florida is extending interim President Kent Fuchs’ contract through Sept. 1 as it continues to find a temporary successor after Santa J. Ono’s failed bid. A new search will launch early 2026. www.wuft.org/fresh-take-f...
Excited to host this virtual conversation on Thursday with University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker; Weber State University President Brad Mortensen and Washington State University CFO Leslie Brunelli. Join us by signing up below.
www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
Keeping Your Institution Moving Forward in Turbulent Times
UPCOMING: July 31, 2025 | 2 p.m. ET In a year marked by political volatility and financial uncertainty, the pressure on higher-education leaders has never been greater. Discover how leaders continue t...
www.chronicle.com
July 29, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Excited to host this virtual conversation on Thursday with University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker; Weber State University President Brad Mortensen and Washington State University CFO Leslie Brunelli. Join us by signing up below.
www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
A new leader for the Chron: www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The Chronicle of Higher Education Names Brad Wolverton as Editor
He becomes the 10th person to lead the nation’s largest independent newsroom focused on colleges and universities.
www.chronicle.com
July 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A new leader for the Chron: www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
My late-afternoon office. Days like these are why we put up with Michigan winters.
July 14, 2025 at 9:50 PM
My late-afternoon office. Days like these are why we put up with Michigan winters.
Despite being dissolved as an official entity in early May by the state of South Carolina, Bob Jones University has continued to operate as normal – including graduating students and running summer orientation – despite state law saying it should cease operations. www.chronicle.com/article/appa...
Apparent Paperwork Error Threatens Bob Jones U.'s Legal Standing in South Carolina
The prominent Christian university’s nonprofit arm was dissolved by the state earlier this year, but it has continued to operate, raising questions about the law and its accreditation.
www.chronicle.com
July 9, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Despite being dissolved as an official entity in early May by the state of South Carolina, Bob Jones University has continued to operate as normal – including graduating students and running summer orientation – despite state law saying it should cease operations. www.chronicle.com/article/appa...
Looking for someone with expertise in required legal corporation filings universities have to make. Who should I reach out to? DM me or email me: [email protected]
July 8, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Looking for someone with expertise in required legal corporation filings universities have to make. Who should I reach out to? DM me or email me: [email protected]
Are you currently, or have you been, an appointed board member at a public university? If so, I'd like to talk to you for a story. Please DM me or email me at [email protected]
July 1, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Are you currently, or have you been, an appointed board member at a public university? If so, I'd like to talk to you for a story. Please DM me or email me at [email protected]
If a college flipped to not accepting federal funds to get away from government control, they would see a fund-raising boom, one president of a college that doesn't take federal funds said. “I think they would see a financial uplift from their supporters rallying around them,” he said.
Under Trump, Colleges Wonder How to Do Without Federal Money. These Campuses Already Know.
A small number of colleges have long refused federal funds due to their religious identities or a desire to stay lean. Here’s how they balance their budgets.
www.chronicle.com
June 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
If a college flipped to not accepting federal funds to get away from government control, they would see a fund-raising boom, one president of a college that doesn't take federal funds said. “I think they would see a financial uplift from their supporters rallying around them,” he said.
Looking for studies on the process used to set indirect cost allocations on academic research. Point me to what I should be reading, please.
June 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Looking for studies on the process used to set indirect cost allocations on academic research. Point me to what I should be reading, please.
The story of Santa Ono, who foreswore DEI and walked away with nothing, has taken on an allegorical quality. His experience strikes at the heart of the most pressing questions confronting higher education today: What do we stand for? What are we willing to abandon? And how much will ever be enough?
Santa Ono Wanted a Presidency. He Became a Pariah.
The former University of Michigan leader’s failed move to Florida has taken on unmistakable political significance for higher education.
www.chronicle.com
June 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The story of Santa Ono, who foreswore DEI and walked away with nothing, has taken on an allegorical quality. His experience strikes at the heart of the most pressing questions confronting higher education today: What do we stand for? What are we willing to abandon? And how much will ever be enough?
UPDATED: Ono spent much of the meeting dodging direct answers. When pressed on Covid mandates — with the questioner pointing out that as an immunologist, he must have an opinion — he answered: “I’m a mouse doctor. I’m a test tube kind of guy.” www.chronicle.com/article/stat...
Vying for U. of Florida Presidency, Santa Ono Embraced Conservative Positions. It Didn’t Work.
The former University of Michigan president’s bid to take over the top job in Gainesville ended in dramatic fashion at a contentious meeting of the State University System of Florida’s Board of Govern...
www.chronicle.com
June 3, 2025 at 11:33 PM
UPDATED: Ono spent much of the meeting dodging direct answers. When pressed on Covid mandates — with the questioner pointing out that as an immunologist, he must have an opinion — he answered: “I’m a mouse doctor. I’m a test tube kind of guy.” www.chronicle.com/article/stat...