Lumina Foundation is working to increase the share of adults in the U.S. labor force with college degrees or other credentials of value leading to economic prosperity.
When the U.S. Department of Education announced on Tuesday that it was eliminating nearly half of its staff, officials there said they would “continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview,” including Pell Grants and student loans.
But as news of the job cuts circulated on Tuesday night and Wednesday, experts wondered how to square that assurance with their knowledge of the work it takes to get federal financial aid into students’ accounts.
A new study reveals alarming trends among college students nationwide, with seven in 10 considering taking a break or dropping out entirely due to mounting pressures.
The survey, conducted by higher education virtual health provider TimelyCare, highlights the significant challenges threatening student success across American campuses.
Approximately 36.8 million American adults are part of America’s “some college, no degree” (SCND) population. That reality presents both a significant opportunity and challenge, particularly for community colleges.
States and colleges are developing targeted strategies to support adult students in re-enrolling, persisting, and ultimately earning a credential that leads to a good job. However, one often-overlooked approach, especially at community colleges, is expanding child care support services, which can play a crucial role in helping adult parenting students from re-enrollment through degree completion.
The controversial decisions to close schools during the COVID-19 pandemic have had lingering effects that are still being felt in K-12 schools and on college campuses. Educators have worked hard in recent years to meet the new needs of students after the pandemic disruptions. There are signs of progress, but there is still work to be done.
Five students, parents, and educators reflect on how school closures from COVID-19 affected their lives.
Public confidence in higher education is slipping. You’ve probably heard it—maybe even felt it. But here’s the thing: While skepticism is rising, most Americans still believe in the power of a college degree. They see it as a ticket to career success, financial stability, and a better future for their families.
The bottom line: People want education that pays off—and it’s on us to deliver it, writes Lumina Foundation's Courtney Brown, who shares three key insights from the 2025 SXSW EDU Conference on the value of higher education.
People across the higher education community are calling on college leaders to speak out against the onslaught of threats and funding cuts imposed by the Trump administration. But that is just one kind of leadership.
In this interview, Jorge Burmicky, assistant professor in education leadership and policy studies in the School of Education at Howard University, shares his thoughts on the competencies that might best serve college presidents during this pivotal moment in higher education.
