Higher Ed Spotlight

Antica Productions / Chegg
  • 5.0 (6)
  • EDUCATION
Higher Ed Spotlight

Hosted by Ben Wildavsky, a leading thinker in higher education policy, this series delves into the big questions facing the future of higher education. Sponsored by Chegg's Center for Digital Learning. Ben talks to leaders, academics, and innovators on the frontlines, working to solve the most pressing issues affecting students, from cost-effective and career-relevant education to how we can equip students for the future of work.

  1. 12 HR. AGO

    College Dreams on Hold: Harvard Professor Susan Dynarski on FAFSA’s Troubled Relaunch

    The troubled launch of what was supposed to be a new and improved Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, has created frustration for students and parents. The widespread delays have left students uncertain about the future of their education and sparked headlines nationwide. In this episode, Ben sits down with Harvard professor and financial aid expert Susan Dynarski to unpack the FAFSA rollout and the turmoil it caused across higher education. The setback led to a significant drop in applications, especially among first-time college students. Susan explores why financial aid is essential to college access and examines what went wrong with the ambitious redesign. She also discusses potential solutions, from using tax data to simplify applications for students to the possibility of eliminating the FAFSA altogether. This conversation sheds light on what’s at stake for students nationwide and what changes are needed to make financial aid more accessible and equitable. 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.

    30 min
  2. The Rise, Decline, and Return of Standardized Testing with Nicholas Lemann

    OCT 29

    The Rise, Decline, and Return of Standardized Testing with Nicholas Lemann

    In this episode of Higher Ed Spotlight, we speak with Nicholas Lemann, professor of journalism at Columbia University, about his latest book, Higher Admissions: The Rise, Decline, and Return of Standardized Testing. Twenty-five years after his seminal work, The Big Test, Lemann revisits the role of standardized testing in college admissions during a pivotal moment in higher education.  With debates reigniting around the SAT—particularly following the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning affirmative action and the reinstatement of the test by some colleges—Lemann explores the SAT’s history in shaping the elite academic institutions, and its broader impact on student access to higher education. Lemann also considers the value of standardized scores and the potential move towards evaluating students through curriculum-based mastery. 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.

    31 min
  3. Shaping Equity: John B. King, Jr. on Higher Education’s Role in Student Success

    OCT 15

    Shaping Equity: John B. King, Jr. on Higher Education’s Role in Student Success

    In this episode, John B. King, Jr., Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) and former U.S. Secretary of Education, explores the pivotal role public universities play in promoting student success and advancing equity in higher education. He discusses SUNY’s commitment to affordable education that opens doors to social mobility and economic advancement, particularly for low-income students and those from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. King addresses how institutions can continue to foster inclusion in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn race-based affirmative action. Shifting the focus to career readiness, King highlights SUNY’s efforts to integrate paid internships into college programs, helping students gain valuable workforce skills. Reflecting on his tenure as U.S. Secretary of Education, he shares his experience shutting down predatory for-profit colleges.  This conversation offers a deep dive into how higher ed can shape a more equitable future for all students. 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.

    29 min
  4. Can a Growth Mindset Transform the College Experience for Students?

    OCT 1

    Can a Growth Mindset Transform the College Experience for Students?

    In this episode, Dan Porterfield, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute and author of Mindset Matters, explains how fostering a growth mindset can unlock new learning and drive student success, empowering learners helping them to thrive in a world increasingly shaped by AI. He shares powerful insights from his years as an educator and mentor, introducing different kinds of student mindsets like the 'discoverer'––one that drives innovation through curiosity, driving breakthroughs that can reshape industries and communities.  He highlights the need for education that prepares college students for lifelong growth while expanding access to underserved groups. Dan also gives practical advice, including how students can build a "life resume" to activate their growth mindset and succeed in college and beyond. 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.

    30 min
  5. AI, Power Skills, and Degrees - Redefining the Future of Work

    SEP 17

    AI, Power Skills, and Degrees - Redefining the Future of Work

    As the job market evolves at lightning speed, the conversation around skills, degrees, and higher education's role in preparing college students with both - has never been more critical. In this episode, Matt Sigelman, President of the Burning Glass Institute, explains degree inflation—the trend of requiring college degrees for jobs that previously didn’t need them. He explores why, despite the buzz, only a small fraction of employers have moved toward skills-based hiring instead. Sigelman also shares insights into how real-time skills data can provide a clearer understanding of the job market and the need for a blend of foundational and technical skills to achieve economic mobility. We explore the rise of what Matt calls "power skills" in the age of generative AI, and why it’s crucial to align education with these new realities to ensure workers and students are prepared for the future. Discover how skills are reshaping talent acquisition and what it means for the future of work. 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.

    29 min
  6. Will Civil Discourse Be on the Back to School Syllabus?

    SEP 3

    Will Civil Discourse Be on the Back to School Syllabus?

    Back to School, Back to Standoffs? CDI's Mission for Civil Discourse on College Campuses. As the back to school season begins, fostering real dialogue amongst students, faculty, and the broader community on college campuses has never been more urgent. In this episode, we spotlight the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) and its mission to promote civil discourse in higher education.  Our guest, Mary Aviles, Insights & Experience Lead at CDI, reveals the critical behind-the-scenes work—like updating campus protest policies—that ensures fairness and readiness when conflicts arise. She also introduces CDI’s ‘Perspectives’ program, where students with different viewpoints practise tough conversations in a safe, peer-to-peer environment. A core principle of CDI, “letting go of winning,” is highlighted as a means to shift from debate to dialogue, nurturing relationships built on understanding rather than competition. With global tensions high and a heated U.S. election on the horizon, the need for constructive campus dialogue is clear. Discover how CDI is helping to transform debates into meaningful, relationship-building discussions.  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.

    27 min
  7. Class Dismissed: How Covid-19 Exposed the Class Divide in Higher Education

    JUL 9

    Class Dismissed: How Covid-19 Exposed the Class Divide in Higher Education

    Today we explore the hidden struggles faced by low-income students at elite colleges, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our guest is Anthony Abraham Jack, author of "The Privileged Poor," who sheds light on the often-overlooked challenges these students encounter. Jack's new book, "Class Dismissed," shifts focus to how external inequalities still affect students' college experiences. He argues that highly selective universities, despite their vast resources, often fail to support marginalized students adequately, prioritizing performative diversity over substantive help. Jack calls for universities to reassess their policies and genuinely support their most vulnerable students. He offers actionable suggestions for change - calling his new book both “a critique of what happened” and “an invitation about what could be.” 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.

    25 min
  8. Connections Are Everything: The Secret to Relationship-Rich Education

    JUN 25

    Connections Are Everything: The Secret to Relationship-Rich Education

    In a world increasingly dominated by phones and screens, the value of genuine human relationships in education cannot be overstated. We speak with Isis Artze-Vega, the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Valencia College, who is a leading advocate for relationship-rich education and co-author of "Connections are Everything: A College Student's Guide to Relationship-Rich Education." Isis shares practical advice for students on building relationships with peers, faculty, and staff, emphasizing the importance of these connections for academic success, mental health, and a sense of belonging. She also addresses common challenges like imposter syndrome and connecting with professors, particularly for first-generation college students. And she doesn't forget about parents, offering actionable strategies to help college-age children cultivate meaningful connections. 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.

    26 min
See All (54)

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Hosted by Ben Wildavsky, a leading thinker in higher education policy, this series delves into the big questions facing the future of higher education. Sponsored by Chegg's Center for Digital Learning. Ben talks to leaders, academics, and innovators on the frontlines, working to solve the most pressing issues affecting students, from cost-effective and career-relevant education to how we can equip students for the future of work.

Information

  • Creator
    Antica Productions / Chegg
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Higher Ed Spotlight

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada