Amulya Yadav’s Post

College rankings may not be everything, but they do matter. Recently, U.S. News & World Report released their latest rankings, and UNC-Chapel Hill, consistently a top public university for over two decades, climbed to No. 4 this year and No. 22 overall among private and public institutions nationally. We believe these gains are fueled by a commitment made long ago: we make the dream of an excellent college education possible. It’s a fine balance, becoming a globally competitive university while staying true to our roots as a proudly and passionately public institution. But it’s the same balance that North Carolina, on both sides of the aisle, is trying to strike. Please read more about the importance of making higher education affordable in my new op-ed published in the News & Observer: https://unc.live/3PQKV3R

December 2023 Graduate Spotlight: Dr. Justin Bingham Hometown: Wright, Wyoming Degree Program: Doctorate in Educational Studies (Innovative Learning Technologies) Why did you choose the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for your graduate degree program? The culture and passion of the staff at UNL stood out when I visited my top schools to pursue a doctorate. What motivated you to pursue your doctorate? My desire for continual learning and a passion for using research to solve problems are the main reasons that I decided to pursue a Ph.D. What has been a favorite class or experience in your program and why? My favorite experience was seeing my research published. What does it mean to you to earn your doctoral degree at Nebraska? Obtaining my doctoral degree from UNL will allow me to pursue future higher education positions. The quality of education at UNL has prepared me to be successful in my future research and teaching roles. What is next for you after graduation? I would like to pursue the path of becoming a college professor. #UNLCEHS #GoBigGrad

New article on why colleges close - https://lnkd.in/gT_rnQyz. Reminded of when in the fall of 2019 I led an independent study for a doctoral student on why colleges close. We officially titled the class Institutional Instability. I wrote a few pieces on why colleges close back then but realized that I never shared the complete list of factors that we came up with based on our analysis of the literature and news stories where institutional leaders identified critical issues. With the exception of a few “degree mills,” I don’t ever want a college to close. One of the studies someone should do is on the impact of a college closing on the town where it is located and the living alumni. Most of these towns that lose a university experience negative downturns and the alumni, wherever they are, are often hurt or embarrassed that their institution no longer exists." For a complete list of 15 Big Factors and 50 Variables Linked to College Closures, see the link below.

Sarah Igo, Andrew Jackson Chair in American History at Vanderbilt University and Cornerstone faculty member, recently joined GBH's College Uncovered to talk about the experience of reimagining general education at Vanderbilt. "We didn't actually have an idea of what general education was, or what it should be—we didn't actually have a vocabulary for it. And so our first effort was to figure out, for students in the 21st century, what is a meaningful liberal arts education? How do we help them see that value, how do we help our own faculty articulate what that is, and what does that mean for how we need to reform how we're doing things? It doesn't need to be a canon... doesn't need to be an older model of a foundation or a core, but students would actually really benefit from faculty designing a program, especially in the first year, that all students take in common. Give them a chance to understand the richness and breadth or a liberal education, read something from philosophy, read something from economics, read something from neuroscience, that are circling around the same questions—that's how our new curriculum is designed—and mentor them in small groups where the idea is to think big... but also to learn how to read and write in ways that will serve them well for the rest of their college career and beyond." Catch the full conversation: https://buff.ly/3KrBeFK

I have long advocated for San Diego State University and the other CSU campuses to be able to independently offer doctoral degrees. As I explain in The San Diego Union-Tribune with SDSU’s Vice President for Research & Innovation, Hala Madanat, the recent passage of AB 656 is one of the most significant changes to public higher education in California in more than 60 years. This will allow us to both further expand access and opportunity for students and address significant needs in the region’s workforce, and is not duplicative of anything in the University of California system. It also expands our university’s research capacity and enterprise in ways that will benefit SDSU students and faculty today and for decades to come. https://bit.ly/3uqqYcd

The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa offers over 150 graduate programs with various funding opportunities. Each year, The University of Alabama Graduate School welcomes students from all over the world to enroll in programs spanning a wide range of disciplines, including sciences, engineering, arts, humanities, and more. You can begin your application process by visiting this link to explore your program of interest: https://lnkd.in/gnZJK6v4 If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section, and don't forget to share them with your friends. #UAGSInfluencer #rolltide

Always happy to be part of uplifting the good! When good things get done, successes should be shared. Part of my job is to prepare the best reports possible about sustainability initiatives that includes research, teaching, service, planning, administration, and operations. This report got a big revamp and many hours, and it paid off with a better view of what is going on, and where we can improve. See the SDG report pages I helped develop, design, and populate at https://lnkd.in/dU3yWV6i https://lnkd.in/dGcrSuFG #sustainability #THE #SDGs

Max the Cat, Vermont State University’s honorary ‘Doctor of Litter-ature,’ is a delightful campus mascot and beloved by students. But let’s be real: awarding a *degree* to a cat? 🤔 Are we undermining the value of academic achievements for a quick PR stunt? On one hand, Max brings joy and a sense of community, proving that our campuses thrive not just on intellect but also on heart and companionship. On the other hand, honorary degrees should be a symbol of substantial contributions to academia or society, not a quirky token. This move might seem cute, but it begs a serious question: Are we trivializing the hard-earned achievements of scholars by making such honors whimsical? Let’s celebrate Max for what he is - a beloved campus cat - and reserve our academic accolades for those who truly advance knowledge and society. What’s your take? Celebrating community spirit or crossing the line? 👇 #Academia #HonoraryDegrees #CampusLife #HigherEducation

Masters Program in Public Policy Get Geared up to Experience Influential Academics and Delightful Student Life. Build Global Industrial Connections to Pursue a Successful Career in Public Policy. Learn More at https://t.ly/QmJK6 

Masters Program in Public Policy Get Geared up to Experience Influential Academics and Delightful Student Life. Build Global Industrial Connections to Pursue a Successful Career in Public Policy. Learn More at https://t.ly/QmJK6