How Policy can Improve College Access

Revolutionary Changes Proposed by UGC: A Step Toward Flexibility and Innovation in Indian Higher Education The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced progressive draft guidelines for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, signaling a transformative shift in India's academic landscape. Key changes include biannual admissions, which will allow students to enroll twice a year (July/August and January/February), reducing waiting time and improving access. The provision for multiple entry and exit will enable learners to exit with relevant certifications and rejoin later, fostering lifelong learning. Credit-based flexibility will give students the opportunity to earn credits across disciplines, skill-based courses, and internships, aligning education with real-world needs. Accelerated and extended degree programs (ADP/EDP) will provide fast-track graduation options, allowing students to earn up to 50% of their credits through alternative modes. Additionally, the relaxation of minimum attendance requirements will empower higher education institutions (HEIs) to design attendance policies tailored to the needs of students and programs. To implement these changes effectively, private universities must act proactively. Adopting robust technological solutions, such as Learning Management Systems (LMS), will help manage credit transfers, continuous assessments, and alternative learning pathways. Collaboration with industry partners will be crucial in creating internship and apprenticeship programs that enhance employability. Universities should also focus on redesigning curricula to accommodate biannual admissions and multidisciplinary credit transfers while maintaining academic standards. Supporting accelerated degree programs will require mechanisms to recognize prior learning and integrate online courses, offering students flexible pathways to graduation. Finally, student counseling services must play a central role in guiding learners through flexible entry, exit, and re-entry options, ensuring they make informed choices. These reforms are an opportunity for private universities to lead the way in flexible, innovative, and student-centric education, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. By embracing these changes, private institutions can set benchmarks for quality and accessibility, ultimately preparing students for a dynamic and multidisciplinary future. What are your thoughts on these changes and their impact on Indian higher education?

One underlying factor in some of society’s most challenging issues—health disparities, workforce gaps, and educational inequities—is the breakdown in the transfer of generational knowledge. In higher education, this is especially evident for non-traditional students, including servicemembers transitioning to the civilian sector, who bring decades of experience and unique insight into our classrooms. Consider, for instance, a military medic with years of experience providing critical care in high-stakes environments. When they separate from the service and pursue a career in the health professions, they’re often met with frustration and disappointment. Their years of expertise and practical knowledge in medical care don’t translate into meaningful credit or career advancement in the civilian healthcare system. This gap is not only frustrating but also a missed opportunity—for the individual and the healthcare workforce. To address this, higher education must evolve in ways that actively support returning adult learners and transitioning veterans: - Aggressive, Constructive Credit Awarding: We need to recognize and credit life experience and industry expertise in meaningful ways. For military medics, this means granting academic credit and pathways that honor the skills they’ve honed under pressure. - Flexible Learning Models: Learning pathways must reflect real-world constraints and diverse goals. This includes offering micro-credentials, certificates, and other targeted credentials that provide an accessible approach to education and a valuable onramp to more advanced opportunities. For many, these options offer a viable, practical path toward meaningful work without the immediate need for a full degree. Timing and life circumstances matter, and flexible options empower learners to choose what best fits their journey, allowing them to build skills progressively and re-enter formal education when the time is right. - Policies Supporting Intergenerational Learning: By promoting diverse learning environments that blend traditional students with those who have extensive real-world experience, we create richer educational experiences. This approach benefits all students, fostering an exchange of insights that’s essential to tackling society’s complex challenges. Promoting intergenerational learning requires building inclusive, supportive systems that recognize and value the expertise accumulated through life and work. By intentionally bridging the gap between military and civilian sectors and supporting veterans and adult learners in higher education, we can create classrooms that reflect the diversity of skills, perspectives, and experiences needed to address the issues of our time. Sincerely, A former combat medic finding his second calling in higher education

Eliminate reliance on standardized testing, which has been shown to unfairly disadvantage people of color. Expand outreach and recruitment pathways from middle and high school. Improve access from community college to a four-year degree. Engage in holistic admissions that evaluates applicants’ demonstrated capacity and strengths in light of the resources and opportunities available to them in their K-12 community. This form of holistic review is particularly important given that American schools are increasingly segregated and unequal. Reform secondary admissions processes that create unfair and unnecessary barriers to majors like education, nursing, and engineering. Engage in holistic review that considers how race has impacted an individual applicant’s life. Consider how an individual applicant’s cultural or political background, such as enrollment in a federally recognized Indian tribe or language ability, contribute to student body diversity. Eliminate legacy preferences. Remove barriers for justice-impacted students. Remove financial barriers to enrollment. The financial burdens of higher education, including increasing student debt, fall disproportionately on people of color. Adopt guaranteed admissions (top percent plans).

Can we break the cycle of poverty with better schools or free college? In the article "Shaping Inequality and Intergenerational Persistence of Poverty: Free College or Better Schools" (2023), researchers explore the effects of different government education policies on inequality and poverty. The study uses a detailed model incorporating intergenerational linkages, higher education choices, and a multi-stage human capital production process, all grounded in US household survey data. Key findings include: 1. Welfare Gains: Both making college free and improving public schools result in significant welfare gains, though these gains take time to manifest. 2.    Complementary Reforms: The study recommends a combination of tuition subsidies and better schools. Free college ensures access for students from low-income backgrounds, while improved schools enhance human capital and reduce dropout risks. This research highlights the transformative potential of integrated educational reforms. Read more here 👉  https://lnkd.in/eAkqMCqt #EducationPolicy #GlobalCitizenshipSkills #TacklingInequality #PovertyReduction #HigherEducation #PublicEducation #PolicyReform

The recent Dear Colleague Letter from the U.S. Department of Education reinforces restrictions on race-conscious decision-making in federally funded institutions, raising important questions about how we continue to meet the needs of underserved students. While compliance is essential, this shift challenges us to rethink support structures that promote access and equity. Colleges and universities must explore alternative ways to ensure student success. Socioeconomic-based initiatives can provide financial and academic support without relying on race-specific criteria. Expanding partnerships with local organizations and employers can create career pathways and mentorship opportunities for students facing systemic barriers. Using data on first-generation status, financial need, and geographic disparities allows us to design effective outreach and interventions. Additionally, need-based funding for experiential learning, such as FWT stipends and travel assistance, ensures that all students can pursue internships and career opportunities regardless of financial limitations. This moment calls for innovation, not just compliance. The challenge is finding ways to uphold our commitment to student success while adapting to legal constraints. How can we continue fostering inclusive excellence and ensuring all students have the resources they need to thrive?

A few weeks ago, I shared a post outlining key concerns as an enrollment professional, ranging from non-consumption to a misalignment of values between colleges, students, and parents. While I highlighted seven worries, I also shared strategies to address them during an October conference. Below are some of the ideas colleges could adopt to secure their future success. Build On-Campus Pre-College Pipelines Elite colleges have long benefited from pre-college and talent identification programs, helping them maintain their market position. Other institutions should invest in similar programs to foster early affinity and long-term connections with prospective students. Expand Direct Admission Programming Colleges need to increase transparency in admissions and provide more guarantees about who gets in. Future direct admission models should leverage partnerships with high schools, community colleges, and pre-college programs to offer automatic admission pathways. Focus on International Recruitment International recruitment can mitigate the challenges of the "demographic cliff." However, it requires a deliberate, well-resourced strategy and sustained effort. Innovate Price and Net-Cost Initiatives Price transparency is critical. Colleges should explore strategies like price resets, guaranteed net costs based on socioeconomic status (SES), and meeting full financial need. This area is ripe for innovation to improve access and affordability. Launch No-/Low-Cost Academic-Leveling Programs Unfinished learning poses risks to student success. Colleges should prioritize pre-enrollment programming, such as summer academic-leveling initiatives, to prepare students for their journey and foster confidence. Develop Finish-Line Programming The rapidly changing workplace requires colleges to adapt. Institutions should enhance career preparation with capstone courses or post-baccalaureate programs that focus on communication, problem-solving, and skills like coding or data analytics. This would better align graduates with employer expectations. Offer Skill Development Beyond Traditional Academic Structures Many students leave college before earning degrees, unable to translate their partial education into meaningful value. Colleges should connect skill development to coursework and articulate it clearly. For instance, a student who completes courses in problem-solving, creativity, and communication might be better equipped to secure employment and possibly return to college later with more confidence. Showcase Outcomes Students and Parents Value Non-consumption trends stem from a perception that college lacks value. While data often contradicts this belief, colleges must better align their offerings with what students and parents seek, emphasizing outcomes such as employability and skill readiness. These strategies can help colleges adapt to changing demands and improve their market position. What would you add? (AI helped manage word count)

The Biden-Harris Administration has proposed new regulations that enable federally funded TRIO programs to serve Dreamers. In Washington, we serve these students in our Gear Up program. I'm honored to have played a small role in advancing this policy change as a member of the TRIO subcommittee of the recent negotiated rulemaking committee. https://lnkd.in/gvmdcGyW • Increase Dreamers’ access to higher education through the federal TRIO programs. The TRIO programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including low-income, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities. The proposed changes would expand eligibility to include students without immigration status who are enrolled in or seek to enroll in a high school in the United States, territories, or Freely Associated States. The expansion in eligibility would apply to the Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Educational Opportunity Center programs which serve students at the elementary and high school levels. These changes would increase high school completion, college access, enrollment, completion, and overall earnings of students without status. #TRIO #highered #college #equity

Workforce Pell: A Game-Changer for Access and Opportunity A new federal proposal could soon expand Pell Grant eligibility to short-term, workforce programs, a move that could open doors for hundreds of thousands of additional students each year, especially at community colleges. The goal? To increase access to fast, affordable, and career-aligned pathways, a long-overdue step toward aligning education with the evolving labor market. But this shift also raises serious questions about quality and oversight, especially with the influx of unaccredited providers entering the space. This is a pivotal moment for #highered. Colleges and universities have a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead. By expanding offerings, embracing innovation in credentialing, and reaffirming a commitment to access and learner outcomes, they can meet the rising demand for workforce readiness without compromising on quality. Let’s step up to ensure that students don’t just get access — they get value. https://lnkd.in/efN3sBkC #workforcedevelopment #highereducation #upskilling #collegeaccess