Sara Weissman
@saraweissman.insidehighered.com
Reporter at Inside Higher Ed. Runs on coffee. Covering post-traditional students and the institutions that serve them + religion and higher ed.
The freshly launched Alliance for Higher Education is working to stave off government overreach in higher ed, arguing it’s critical for democracy and college access. www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Alliance Forms to Protect Higher Ed From Political Meddling
The freshly launched Alliance for Higher Education is working to stave off government overreach in higher ed, arguing it’s critical for democracy and college access.
www.insidehighered.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:26 PM
The freshly launched Alliance for Higher Education is working to stave off government overreach in higher ed, arguing it’s critical for democracy and college access. www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
A group of current and former diversity professionals and researchers founded a journal to preserve perspectives they fear could be lost amid state and federal crackdowns on DEI work.
A Home for Homeless DEI Strategies and Research
A group of current and former diversity professionals and researchers founded a journal to preserve perspectives they fear could be lost amid state and federal crackdowns on DEI work.
www.insidehighered.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:14 PM
A group of current and former diversity professionals and researchers founded a journal to preserve perspectives they fear could be lost amid state and federal crackdowns on DEI work.
A group of Catholic Hispanic-serving universities has formed a partnership to brainstorm new ways to share resources and support students.
A New Catholic HSI Alliance
A group of Catholic Hispanic-serving universities has formed a partnership to brainstorm new ways to share resources and support students.
www.insidehighered.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:18 PM
A group of Catholic Hispanic-serving universities has formed a partnership to brainstorm new ways to share resources and support students.
A recent legal report from the Department of Justice implies new risks to funding for minority-serving institutions after the Education Department already cut off their competitive grant dollars.
DOJ Report Compounds MSI Advocates’ Worries
A recent legal report from the Department of Justice implies new risks to funding for minority-serving institutions after the Education Department already cut off their competitive grant dollars.
www.insidehighered.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:52 PM
A recent legal report from the Department of Justice implies new risks to funding for minority-serving institutions after the Education Department already cut off their competitive grant dollars.
Parenting students’ advocates say this population is especially vulnerable as the Trump administration makes changes to childcare funding and public benefits.
Parenting Students Bear the Brunt of Federal Cuts
Parenting students’ advocates say this population is especially vulnerable as the Trump administration makes changes to childcare funding and public benefits.
www.insidehighered.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Parenting students’ advocates say this population is especially vulnerable as the Trump administration makes changes to childcare funding and public benefits.
After a year of repeated blows, diversity professionals and scholars are debating whether DEI has a future on college campuses, and if so, what its next iteration looks like.
Is DEI Dead or Changing?
After a year of repeated blows, diversity professionals and scholars are debating whether DEI has a future on college campuses, and if so, what its next iteration looks like.
www.insidehighered.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:48 PM
After a year of repeated blows, diversity professionals and scholars are debating whether DEI has a future on college campuses, and if so, what its next iteration looks like.
The U.S. Department of the Interior is going to take over managing tribal college funds as the Education Department sheds many of its programs. College leaders are worried.
Tribal Colleges Brace for Shift to Interior Department
The U.S. Department of the Interior is going to take over managing tribal college funds as the Education Department sheds many of its programs. College leaders are worried.
www.insidehighered.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The U.S. Department of the Interior is going to take over managing tribal college funds as the Education Department sheds many of its programs. College leaders are worried.
Texas voters approved an $850 million endowment for the technical college system. College leaders say it’ll offer a much-needed boost in filling the state’s workforce needs.
Texas Technical College Gets “Transformational” Endowment
Texas voters approved an $850 million endowment for the technical college system. College leaders say it’ll offer a much-needed boost in filling the state’s workforce needs.
www.insidehighered.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Texas voters approved an $850 million endowment for the technical college system. College leaders say it’ll offer a much-needed boost in filling the state’s workforce needs.
The Department of Justice sued California over its law allowing in-state tuition benefits to some undocumented students. California governor Gavin Newsom’s office responded, “We'll see you in court.”
DOJ Sues California Over In-State Tuition for Noncitizens
California governor Gavin Newsom’s office responded, “We'll see you in court.”
www.insidehighered.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The Department of Justice sued California over its law allowing in-state tuition benefits to some undocumented students. California governor Gavin Newsom’s office responded, “We'll see you in court.”
As federal immigration enforcement agents descend on North Carolina, campus leaders are rushing to advise fearful staff and students about how to respond.
Nearby ICE Raids Stoke Fear on North Carolina Campuses
As federal immigration enforcement agents descend on North Carolina, campus leaders are rushing to advise fearful staff and students about how to respond.
www.insidehighered.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:02 PM
As federal immigration enforcement agents descend on North Carolina, campus leaders are rushing to advise fearful staff and students about how to respond.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has said little about his plans for the city’s colleges and universities. But advocates, experts and students are making best guesses based on his rhetoric and track record.
What Zohran Mamdani’s Win Might Mean for Higher Ed in NYC
The mayor-elect has said little about his plans for the city’s colleges and universities. But advocates, experts and students are making best guesses based on his rhetoric and track record.
www.insidehighered.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has said little about his plans for the city’s colleges and universities. But advocates, experts and students are making best guesses based on his rhetoric and track record.
Reposted by Sara Weissman
Looks like today may be the day the Trump administration finally splinters what's left of the Education Department: www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
McMahon Says “Clock Is Ticking” on Education Department
Trump officials are reportedly planning to enact a number of agreements Tuesday that could send key ED responsibilities to other agencies.
www.insidehighered.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Looks like today may be the day the Trump administration finally splinters what's left of the Education Department: www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Religiously affiliated colleges are facing the blowback of seismic higher ed policy shifts under Trump. They’re making careful decisions about how to advocate for themselves.
Faith-Based Colleges Swept Up in Higher Ed Policy Changes
Religiously affiliated colleges are facing the blowback of seismic higher ed policy shifts under Trump. They’re making careful decisions about how to advocate for themselves.
www.insidehighered.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Religiously affiliated colleges are facing the blowback of seismic higher ed policy shifts under Trump. They’re making careful decisions about how to advocate for themselves.
Undocumented students, represented by civil rights groups, are trying to intervene in cases in which the federal government and state officials agreed to end their in-state tuition benefits.
Advocates Defend In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students
Undocumented students, represented by civil rights groups, are trying to intervene in cases in which the federal government and state officials agreed to end their in-state tuition benefits.
www.insidehighered.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Undocumented students, represented by civil rights groups, are trying to intervene in cases in which the federal government and state officials agreed to end their in-state tuition benefits.
Carnegie’s new Student Access and Earnings Classification has stirred up controversy among community college advocates. They want it taken down and retooled. Carnegie is standing by its approach.
Community College Leaders Dispute Carnegie Classification
Carnegie’s new Student Access and Earnings Classification has stirred up controversy among community college advocates. Carnegie is standing by its approach.
www.insidehighered.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Carnegie’s new Student Access and Earnings Classification has stirred up controversy among community college advocates. They want it taken down and retooled. Carnegie is standing by its approach.
The philanthropist MacKenzie Scott dropped upward of $300 million on historically Black colleges and universities this fall. Here's how campus leaders are spending the money.
How HBCUs Plan to Spend MacKenzie Scott’s Money
The philanthropist dropped upward of $300 million on historically Black colleges and universities this fall. Campus leaders are overjoyed and spending in ways they never thought possible.
www.insidehighered.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The philanthropist MacKenzie Scott dropped upward of $300 million on historically Black colleges and universities this fall. Here's how campus leaders are spending the money.
After court orders, the Trump administration agreed to use emergency reserves to pay for food stamps during the government shutdown. But the funds cover only half of what’s needed. Campuses are scrambling to fill in the gaps for food insecure students. www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Trump Partially Funds SNAP, Colleges Scramble
After court orders, the Trump administration agreed to use emergency reserves to pay for food stamps during the government shutdown. But the funds cover only half of what’s needed. Campuses are trying...
www.insidehighered.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
After court orders, the Trump administration agreed to use emergency reserves to pay for food stamps during the government shutdown. But the funds cover only half of what’s needed. Campuses are scrambling to fill in the gaps for food insecure students. www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Paulette Granberry Russell ran the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education through high highs and low lows. She says diversity work isn’t dead—it’s evolving. My Q&A with Granberry Russell as she prepares to step down:
A Tumultuous Tenure Leading the Nation’s Diversity Officers
Paulette Granberry Russell ran the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education through high highs and low lows. She says diversity work isn’t dead—it’s evolving.
www.insidehighered.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Paulette Granberry Russell ran the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education through high highs and low lows. She says diversity work isn’t dead—it’s evolving. My Q&A with Granberry Russell as she prepares to step down:
Historically Black college and university leaders say security is a priority after terroristic threats to their institutions last month and shootings on campuses in recent weeks.
HBCUs Ramp Up Security After Threats, Campus Shootings
Historically Black college and university leaders say security is a priority after terroristic threats last month and shootings on campuses in recent weeks.
www.insidehighered.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Historically Black college and university leaders say security is a priority after terroristic threats to their institutions last month and shootings on campuses in recent weeks.
University of North Georgia says it can no longer afford to maintain the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students. Advocates worry about losing decades of research, resources and support.
National Institute on Transfer Prepares to Close
University of North Georgia says it can no longer afford to maintain the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students. Advocates worry about losing decades of research, resources and support.
www.insidehighered.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:33 PM
University of North Georgia says it can no longer afford to maintain the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students. Advocates worry about losing decades of research, resources and support.
A new report found that federal disinvestment in Pell Grants hit higher ed in Southern states hard. It also likely played a role in plummeting Black student enrollments.
Drop in Pell Funds Hurts Black Students, Southern Colleges
A new report found that federal disinvestment in Pell Grants hit higher ed in Southern states hard. It also likely played a role in plummeting Black student enrollments.
www.insidehighered.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:58 PM
A new report found that federal disinvestment in Pell Grants hit higher ed in Southern states hard. It also likely played a role in plummeting Black student enrollments.
Reposted by Sara Weissman
Reverse transfer has been seen as a way to move the needle on college completion, but a majority of eligible students pass up the opportunities. And, from my reporting, there seems to be a gap in understanding why that is
for @insidehighered.com
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
for @insidehighered.com
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
Reverse Transfer Policies Boost College Completion Rates
Reverse transfer—the practice of awarding associate degrees for credit earned in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree—is beneficial for colleges, state workforces and the vast some college, no credit popula...
www.insidehighered.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Reverse transfer has been seen as a way to move the needle on college completion, but a majority of eligible students pass up the opportunities. And, from my reporting, there seems to be a gap in understanding why that is
for @insidehighered.com
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
for @insidehighered.com
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
The Trump administration’s death blow to funds for minority-serving institutions is expected to cost the California State University system tens of millions of dollars. Out of its 22 campuses, 21 are Hispanic-serving institutions.
CSU Campuses Reel From Blow to HSI Funding
The Trump administration’s death blow to funds for minority-serving institutions is expected to cost the California State University system tens of millions of dollars.
www.insidehighered.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:54 PM
The Trump administration’s death blow to funds for minority-serving institutions is expected to cost the California State University system tens of millions of dollars. Out of its 22 campuses, 21 are Hispanic-serving institutions.
Campus centers and programs for undocumented students are caught in a politically precarious moment after the Department of Justice called for an investigation of the University of Nevada at Reno’s undocumented student services.
Trump Targets Nevada at Reno’s Undocumented Student Supports
The DOJ called for an investigation into the University of Nevada at Reno for its supports for undocumented students. Immigrant student advocates worry about other such programs but urge campuses not ...
www.insidehighered.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Campus centers and programs for undocumented students are caught in a politically precarious moment after the Department of Justice called for an investigation of the University of Nevada at Reno’s undocumented student services.
Across the country, student groups and other organizations are working to fill the gaps left behind by campus centers and programs lost to a snowballing anti-DEI movement.
Students, Alumni Rally to Keep Cut Affinity Programs Alive
Across the country, student groups and other organizations are working to fill the gaps left behind by campus centers and programs lost to a snowballing anti-DEI movement.
www.insidehighered.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Across the country, student groups and other organizations are working to fill the gaps left behind by campus centers and programs lost to a snowballing anti-DEI movement.