Higher Ed Spotlight

Author and Reformer Kathleen deLaski on What a Different Higher Ed Future Could Look Like

With traditional higher ed getting more scrutiny than ever in 2025, Kathleen deLaski, author of “Who Needs College Anymore?”, wants us to think much more expansively about exactly how we define college. Her goal? To make it more relevant, and more accessible, to more people. Kathleen, a former TV correspondent and founder of the influential Education Design Lab, explains that she used to be on the “college for all” bandwagon. But she’s become persuaded that college isn’t right for everyone, and that we urgently need more and better alternatives for the “new majority learners” who she argues haven’t been well-served by many colleges and universities.  Higher Ed Spotlight is hosted and co-produced by Ben Wildavsky, in partnership with Antica Productions.

53. How the CHIPS and Science Act Bridges Education and Industry with Shalin Jyotishi

The global race for technological dominance is transforming how nations approach education and workforce development. In the U.S., the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act is a multibillion-dollar initiative to boost semiconductor manufacturing, counter China’s influence, and drive economic growth. But what does this legislation mean for college students, higher education and workforce training? In this episode, Shalin Jyotishi, Founder of New America's Future of Work and Innovation Economy Initiative, unpacks the Act’s impact on higher education and workforce development. He highlights its potential to meet the rising demand for skilled workers in high-tech industries by investing in education and training programs. Shalin also explores how the Act aims to strengthen community colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), supporting innovative training programs and fostering opportunities in institutions that have traditionally been underfunded in high-tech workforce initiatives. We also examine challenges such as recent funding cuts to the National Science Foundation, political shifts, and the complexities of industrial policy. Shalin underscores the need for stronger collaboration between colleges and industry to align education with market demands and prepare students for the high-tech jobs of the future. 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.

52. WGU President Scott Pulsipher on Bridging the Credentials Gap Through Competency-Based Education

Two-thirds of future jobs are projected to require post-secondary credentials, but too few workers hold them. Western Governors University President Scott Pulsipher explains how WGU is tackling this challenge with a new approach to higher education. Its innovative competency-based education model allows students to earn college degrees for skills they've already mastered, fast-tracking their preparation for the future workforce. Scott also discusses WGU's recent acquisition of Craft Education, a technology platform that helps convert on-the-job learning into academic credits. This acquisition supports innovative pathways that integrate work-based experiences with educational programs such as degree apprenticeships. Scott unpacks the role employers can play in upskilling their teams rather than hiring externally, as well as the cultural shift required to make higher education more accessible to everyone. 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.

51. 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.

50. 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.