Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

Jeff Selingo, Michael Horn
  • 4.7 (136)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn discuss what’s next for higher education and talk with the newsmakers you want to hear from most. Find the latest news and insights into the current trends in higher ed on the Future U. Podcast.

  1. Inside the Role of College Trustees During Turbulent Times

    FEB 4

    Inside the Role of College Trustees During Turbulent Times

    College trustees consider more than just the monetary policies of universities. And former Brown University trustee Lauren Zalaznick is out with a new book that aims to humanize these often secretive roles with letters of reflection by Brown board members going back more than 100 years, some of them during other turbulent times in U.S. history. She brings the sensibility from her career as a television executive, when she led the Bravo network as it created The Real Housewives franchise and hits like Project Runway and Top Chef. Jeff and Michael talk to Zalaznick about her new book and her views on how colleges need to reassert their broader social value to meet this moment of crisis for higher ed. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group. Chapters0:00 - Intro 4:05 - What Led to the Book of Trustee Letters? 6:40 - The Value of Sharing Once-Secret Letters 9:01 - A Reality TV Pioneer’s Interest in University History 11:34 - What Is the Role of University Trustees? 15:40 - The Case for Large University Boards 20:14 - Hearing From a Diversity of Voices 23:52 - From Rabble-Rousers to Trustees 26:42 - How Do College Boards Navigate All Those Diverse Voices? 31:24 - Reflecting on Brown University’s Deal with the Trump Administration 36:58 - Should Every College Adopt the Tradition of Sharing Reflections From Board Members? 41:55 - Sponsor Break 42:43 - How Important Is It That College Board Members Be Alums? 46:45 - Making the Board Feel Like a Team 49:54 - More on Trustees Who As Students Criticized Leadership 52:37 - Getting the Right Mix on a Board 54:03 - How Large Should a Board Be? Relevant Links“Letters from the Corporation of Brown University,” edited by Lauren Zalaznick. “The Affluencer,” profile of Lauren Zalaznick in The New York Times.  “Navigating a Merger as a College Trustee,” past Future U episode. Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter Website LinkedIn X (Twitter) Threads   Connect with Jeff Selingo:Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You Sign Up for the Next Newsletter Website X (Twitter) Threads LinkedIn Connect with Future U:Twitter YouTube Threads Instagram Facebook LinkedIn   Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag! Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    59 min
  2. Is Grade Inflation Deflating Trust in Schools?

    JAN 20

    Is Grade Inflation Deflating Trust in Schools?

    To kick off 2026, Jeff and Michael weigh in on some key higher ed issues making headlines these days, starting with a deep dive into grade inflation at the nation’s colleges. A range of sources show that more students are getting A’s even as they are spending less time on schoolwork and deep reading. Meanwhile, AI is raising questions about the validity of college assessments when students can offload their work to chatbots. How can colleges respond? Other issues discussed include whether colleges should change what they teach as employers embrace AI, what types of colleges employers recruit from these days, and recent data on where online learning is most prevalent. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group. Chapters0:00 - Introduction 1:34 - Are Those 2026 Coming True? 2:26 - Why Grade Inflation Is a Big Story Now 4:55 - How the Grade Inflation Issue Has Changed Since Al Franken Joked About It in 2002 6:43 - Why Professors Shouldn’t Grade the Students They Teach 8:38 - What If Mastery-Based Learning Upends Grading? 10:43 - Encouraging Students to Focus More on Feedback Than on Grades 12:16 - Has We Become an ‘Accomodations Nation’? 13:09 - Colleges Are Returning to Admissions Tests 15:01 - AI Could Help Admissions Officers Analyze Transcripts 19:17 - Are Elite Colleges Back at the Top of the List for Company Recruiters? 26:28 - Entry Into the Job Market Is Not Linear 27:55 - Sponsor Break 28:36 - What If AI Changes Nothing About What Students Need to Learn? 35:23 - New Data On Who Offers Online-Only Education Relevant Links:“Education Secretary Says She Wants to Shift Away From Higher Ed,” by Ryan Quinn in Inside Higher Ed. “UC San Diego Sees Students’ Math Skills Plummet,” by Emma Whitford in Inside Higher Ed. “High Grades are Presumably the Goal. So Why is Everyone Freaking Out?” by Michael Horn on Substack. “Colleges Have Struggled To Curb Grade Inflation. Can Harvard Beat the Odds?” in the Harvard Crimson. Sen. Al Franken’s 2002 Class Day speech at Harvard, from CSPAN. “Accommodation Nation,” by Rose Horowitch in The Atlantic. "Elite Colleges Are Back at the Top of the List for Company Recruiters.” by Lindsay Ellis in The Wall Street Journal.  “AI Changes Nothing About What Students Need to Learn,” by Rick Hess in Education Next. “Fall 2024 IPEDS Data: Profile of US Higher Ed Online Education,” by Phil Hill In OnEdtech. Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter Website LinkedIn X (Twitter) Threads   Connect with Jeff Selingo:Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You Sign Up for the Next Newsletter Website X (Twitter) Threads LinkedIn Connect with Future U:Twitter YouTube Threads Instagram Facebook LinkedIn   Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag! Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    42 min
  3. Why Don’t More Colleges Run Co-Op Programs?

    JAN 6

    Why Don’t More Colleges Run Co-Op Programs?

    Co-op programs are trending these days, with many colleges looking to offer students on-the-job experiences while taking classes. Jeff and Michael talk with Robert McMahan, president of Kettering University, which has a long-running co-op program for all students. He argues that more colleges could incorporate and scale the approach. But there are obstacles, both cultural and logistical. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group. Chapters0:00 - Intro 1:44 - An Unusual History of a Co-op Model 3:28 - Kettering Presidents’ Path to University Leadership 6:17 - Why Colleges Should Think of Employers as Their Customers 11:23 - Why Colleges Can’t Learn Everything They Need On Campuses 17:17 - How Kettering University’s Co-op Model Differs Than Others 20:44 - Why Isn’t Kettering More Popular? 24:44 - What Is Keeping More Universities From Doing Co-op Programs? 29:30 - Sponsor Break 31:05 - How More Colleges Can Move to a Co-op Model 35:36 - Companies Don’t Have Enough Internships to Meet Demand 39:08 - Could There Be ‘31 Flavors’ of Experiential Learning? 41:50 - Will We See a Return of the Corporate University? 45:52 - Lightning Round With Robert McMahan Links“Colleges Teach Learning, but They’re Not Learning How to Survive,” by Robert McMahan in Fortune. “Former Governor Dishes on Connecting Work and College,” past Future U episode. Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter Website LinkedIn X (Twitter) Threads   Connect with Jeff Selingo:Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You Sign Up for the Next Newsletter Website X (Twitter) Threads LinkedIn Connect with Future U:Twitter YouTube Threads Instagram Facebook LinkedIn   Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag! Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    50 min
  4. Resist or Reform? Vanderbilt’s Chancellor Speaks Out

    12/16/2025

    Resist or Reform? Vanderbilt’s Chancellor Speaks Out

    Should colleges actively resist the Trump administration or find ways to engage and compromise? Vanderbilt University’s chancellor, Daniel Diermeier, has emerged as a leading example of engagement — facing a mix of cheers and jeers in the academy. Jeff and Michael talked with Diermeier about why he thinks higher education needs to change, and his ambitions to grow his institution’s prestige and research impact. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group.   Relevant Links:“Live from Milken: One-on-One with Bill Ackman,” preview Future U episode. “Arizona State’s President Is Pulling Out All the Stops to Get on Trump’s Good Side,” in The New York Times. “The Elite-University Presidents Who Despise One Another,” in The Atlantic. “The (Not So) Quiet Schism Among Academic Leaders,” in The Chronicle of Higher Education. “College-Age Jews Are Heading South,” in The Atlantic.   Chapters0:00 - Introduction 2:07 - Why Vanderbilt’s Chancellor Stands Out in This Moment 4:46 - Is Vanderbilt Trying to Beat the Ivies? 7:23 - Why Vanderbilt Chose Dialogue With Trump Administration 10:06 - Did Higher Ed Get Too Comfortable? 11:12 - Are Higher Ed Institutions Up to the Challenge of Responding to Trump? 15:22 - What Daniel Diermeier Sees As Most Needed Reform for Higher Ed 17:40 - Will 'Resistance" by Colleges Hurt Federal Funding Broadly? 21:48 - Could the U.S. Lose the Lead In Higher Ed? 23:25 - Why Jewish Students are Flocking to Vanderbilt -  26:58 - A Plan for Expansion to Other Cities 29:03 - Sponsor Break  29:43 - Is Trump the Symptom or Cause of Higher Ed’s Challenges? 34:37 - A Rift Over How to Respond to Skepticism of College 37:40 - How Could the Research Process Be Reformed? 39:41 - The Fallout from October 7 Protests 43:40 - The Challenge of Political Diversity on Campus 49:37 - Can a New Group of Campuses Unseat the Ivy League? 52:06 - The Role of College Athletics in Campus Prestige 53:06 - A Regional Shift in Prominence 57:55 - Lightning Round With Daniel Diermeier   Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter Website LinkedIn X (Twitter) Threads   Connect with Jeff Selingo:Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You Sign Up for the Next Newsletter Website X (Twitter) Threads LinkedIn Connect with Future U:Twitter YouTube Threads Instagram Facebook LinkedIn   Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag! Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    1h 1m
  5. Takeaways from 2025 and Predictions for Next Year

    12/09/2025

    Takeaways from 2025 and Predictions for Next Year

    As the year comes to a close, Jeff and Michael step back to review some themes from recent episodes. They home in on how to build innovative campus cultures, and how colleges can respond to AI. And they look ahead, offering predictions for higher ed for 2026. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group, Adobe, and Butler University. Relevant Links“A Looming Crisis: New Analysis Shows Dozens of Well-Known Colleges Are Near Financial Trouble,”  Michael Horn and Steven Shulman "The Financially Sustainable University," Jeff Denneen and Tom Dretler Chapters0:00 - Introduction 4:22 - A Case for Massive Experimentation 6:30 - Making Shared Governance an Asset 10:00 - Building Innovation Into Campus Culture 11:41 - Lessons From Silicon Valley 13:17 - What Parents Are Asking About AI at Colleges 14:54 - Importance of Experiential Learning 18:40 - How Liberal Arts Can Be Taught Differently in the AI Age 21:11 - Being Creative v. Being a Creator 22:20 - Time for Colleges to Step Back and Strategize About AI 28:00 - New Research Reveals Mid-Size Colleges Could At Financial Risk 33:43 - Understanding the Details of New Student Loan Caps 37:37 - Breaking Down the Latest Enrollment Numbers 40:07 - Michael’s Predictions for 2026 41:56 - Jeff’s Predictions for 2026 Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter Website LinkedIn X (Twitter) Threads   Connect with Jeff Selingo:Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You Sign Up for the Next Newsletter Website X (Twitter) Threads LinkedIn Connect with Future U:Twitter YouTube Threads Instagram Facebook LinkedIn   Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag! Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    45 min
  6. Rerun: Visiting Bowie State University: HBCUs, Employer Partnerships, and Student Engagement

    11/25/2025 · BONUS

    Rerun: Visiting Bowie State University: HBCUs, Employer Partnerships, and Student Engagement

    On the latest stop of Future U.'s campus tour, hosts Michael Horn and Jeff Selingo visit Bowie State University to speak with President Aminta Breaux, as well as faculty and administrators at the Maryland institution about increased enrollment at HBCUs, partnerships with employers, and student engagement. With support from Salesforce.org.

    49 min
  7. Navigating a Merger as a College Trustee

    11/18/2025

    Navigating a Merger as a College Trustee

    When Marymount Manhattan College’s board of trustees decided last year to merge with Northeastern University, becoming a part of that Boston-based university’s global system, the vote was unanimous. As Jeff and Michael continue their ongoing exploration (some might say obsession) with mergers and acquisitions in higher ed, they talk to one of Marymount Manhattan’s trustees, Abby Fiorella, on this episode to get a board member’s perspective on how mergers can be strategic wins for smaller institutions, as well as key to protecting their core missions. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group. Relevant Links“God and Man at Yale,” by William F. Buckley. "The Abundant University: Remaking Higher Education for a Digital World," by Michael Smith, Mission statement of Arizona State University Mission statement of Southern New Hampshire University “Why a University Proactively Sought a Merger," our other episode this season about M&A in higher ed. Chapters0:00 - Why Do We Keep Talking About Mergers? 3:50 - Introducing Our Guest, Abby Fiorella 5:17 - How to Prepare a Board for a Merger 9:19 - Deciding on Institutional Priorities 12:44 - What Is Marymount Manhattan College Doing to Preserve Its Identity? 17:17 - How Can a Board Come to Peace With a Merger? 21:40 - How Can Boards Make Mergers Less Taboo? 24:29 - Reframing Merging As an Opportunity 27:01 - Closing Thoughts From a Trustee 28:54 - Sponsor Break 29:38 - What It Means for a Board to Be Responsible to a Mission 36:21 - How Can Universities Put Mission Statements Into Practice? 38:52 - Why College Mergers Require ‘Courage’ 39:21 - Making Time in Board Meetings for Strategic Planning 44:56 - The Role of Communication Between Presidents and Boards in Considering Mergers 47:59 - Why Most Boards Should Set Up Systems to Prepare for an Uncertain Future 48:37 - Lightning Round With Abby Fiorella Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter Website LinkedIn X (Twitter) Threads   Connect with Jeff Selingo:Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You Sign Up for the Next Newsletter Website X (Twitter) Threads LinkedIn Connect with Future U:Twitter YouTube Threads Instagram Facebook LinkedIn   Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag! Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    53 min
  8. Preparing Students for an AI-Infused Workforce

    11/11/2025

    Preparing Students for an AI-Infused Workforce

    In this special episode recorded live at Adobe’s EduMAX conference, Jeff and Michael explore practical ways to harness AI in higher education to prepare students to be more effective creators. They were joined by a panel of industry and academic experts including Jennifer Sparrow, New York University’s chief academic technology officer; Simon Koh, who has led early career recruiting at Raymond James and KPMG, among other organizations; and Allison Salisbury, founder and CEO of Humanist Venture Studio. Relevant Links:“AI Is Not Just Ending Entry-Level Jobs. It’s the End of the Career Ladder as We Know It,” CNBC“ The Rise of AI Will Make Liberal Arts Degrees Popular Again. Here’s Why,” in Inc magazine. Chapters0:00 - Intro 3:49 - What Is an AI-Ready Graduate? 7:52 - How AI is Changing Early-Career Jobs 11:00 - What Skills and Mindsets Do Students Need? 14:31 - How Colleges Can Increase Experiential Education With Employers 22:19 - What Colleges Do As Employers Pull Back on Internships 28:37 - What is the Purpose of College in an AI World? 34:14 - How the Signaling Power of College Could Change in the AI Era 37:38 - How Students Are Using AI to Create 41:25 - Will AI Bring Resurgence of Liberal Arts? 45:50 - How Creativity is Important Even in the Finance Sector 49:31 - Why AI is More Creative Than Humans 51:40 - What Colleges Can Do in the Next 12 Months Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter Website LinkedIn X (Twitter) Threads   Connect with Jeff Selingo:Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You Sign Up for the Next Newsletter Website X (Twitter) Threads LinkedIn Connect with Future U:Twitter YouTube Threads Instagram Facebook LinkedIn   Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag! Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    55 min
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Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn discuss what’s next for higher education and talk with the newsmakers you want to hear from most. Find the latest news and insights into the current trends in higher ed on the Future U. Podcast.

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