Higher Ed Spotlight Antica Productions / Chegg

On today’s episode of Higher Ed Spotlight, we travel down under in a fascinating conversation with Australian National University's newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Genevieve Bell. We delve into her childhood experiences in Australia's Aboriginal communities, which shaped her journey to a PhD in cultural anthropology at Stanford and then her groundbreaking work at Intel in user experience. Genevieve explains how cybernetics evolved into AI. She highlights its quest to replicate human intelligence and the ethical questions that it raises for higher ed and our broader society. Genevieve ties these themes seamlessly to her leadership vision for ANU’s core research mission and the pivotal role that mission plays in social progress.

Today, we’re turning our attention to the world of higher education in California — a state where, in 1960, a master plan for higher ed was released that was hailed as a model for other states. However, six decades later, it may need a critical update to tackle current challenges in access and affordability. Su Jin Jez, CEO of California Competes, joins us to discuss the issues facing California colleges and universities – from equity gaps to better support for adult learners – and how their response may have lessons for other states. A key issue she highlights is California’s need for a coordinating entity at the state level to address turf battles within the higher ed system.
 

This week we navigate the rocky terrain of the current Canadian higher education landscape with Alex Usher, the president of Higher Education Strategy Associates. The recent decision by the Canadian federal government to impose a cap on international student applications has reverberated across the student body, leading to internal conflicts among Canadian college leaders, including some pretty spicy name-calling. What’s driving this change in Canadian higher education? Could it signify trouble for the once-thriving trend of global student mobility? Alex unravels this complex and fascinating issue offering a clear, entertaining and, at times, shocking tale of the trials and tribulations of higher ed up north. 
 

Despite some success in American Higher Ed's efforts to increase accessibility to degrees and credentials, completion rates continue to disappoint. With over 40 million Americans in the "some college no degree” population, it's clear that the focus must now shift to supporting higher ed students  - including adult learners - throughout their journey. Courtney Brown, vice president of Impact and Planning at Lumina Foundation, joins us to explore strategies for addressing this issue and the necessary changes institutions and policymakers need to make to reverse this trend.

Welcome back to Higher Ed Spotlight, a podcast that explores the key questions shaping the future of higher education. In our third season, we continue to delve into major debates with the country’s leading thinkers, while also expanding our conversations internationally. Our biweekly podcast starts April 09, 2024. 
 
Hosted by veteran journalist and higher education policy expert Ben Wildavsky. Sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning. 

In this bonus episode, we turn the tables. Ben Wildavsky discusses his new book, The Career Arts: Making the Most of College, Credentials and Connections. He makes the case for why degrees still matter, despite the popular rhetoric calling for skills-based hiring. Goldie Blumenstyk, a veteran reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education, guest hosts this episode.
 
Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions