The Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education congratulates two of its PhD alumni, Nathan Moore (PhD, 2020) and Maggie Parker (PhD, 2022), on their recent appointments as chief of staff for the Office of the President and Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, respectively. Moore was appointed by President Jere […]
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Nathan Moore and Maggie Parker Appointed to Chief of Staff Roles at UGA

Emily Chen-Bendle joins the McBee Institute as Associate Director of Distance Learning
The Louise McBee Institute is proud to announce that Dr. Emily Chen-Bendle recently joined the Institute as associate director of distance learning. After a successful defense of her dissertation, Dr. Chen-Bendle assumed her new role in April 2025. In this position, Dr. Chen-Bendle will support and advance the Institute’s Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Management, […]

McBee Spotlight: Haixia Xu, PhD 2009, Visiting Scholar
The McBee Institute of Higher Education is proud to spotlight Haixia Xu, PhD 2009. Dr. Xu is an IHE graduate and current visiting scholar from the Chinese Ministry of Education to conduct research studies for their Digital Learning unit. Xu began her journey with the McBee Institute in 2001 as a Ph.D. student from China. […]

Ronald Johnson Named Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff
Dr. Ronald Johnson (EdD, 2023) has been named the Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). As Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff, Johnson will join the university’s executive leadership team and advise the president on administrative processes, special projects, and strategic initiatives […]

Anthony Leigh Named President of Huntingdon College
In May 2023, the Huntingdon College Board of Trustees named Dr. Anthony Leigh (EdD, 2019) as the college’s 15th President. Leigh’s tenure as president will begin on July 1, 2024. Leigh has been a member of the Huntingdon College administration since 2009. Reflecting on his professional experiences at Huntingdon College, Leigh stated, “I’m blessed with […]

Researchers Find Football Programs Have Limited Effects on Enrollment
From press release: Over the past two decades, numerous colleges have added football teams in a quest to add students, particularly male students, and to use the popularity of athletics to build their brands. However, new research from UGA’s Carmical Sports Media Institute and the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education finds that adding a […]

Burns’ Analysis of College Solvency Featured in Major News Outlet
Insights from Rachel Burns (McBee PhD), a senior policy analyst at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, are featured heavily in a CNN.com article on financial solvency at US private colleges. Burns provides an overview of strains and opportunities for schools with smaller endowments and context for the recent acceleration of college closings. Burns […]

McBee Community at AERA 2024
Thursday, April 11 9:00 – 10:30 A.M. (Roundtable Session) – Network Analysis to Inform Policy: Testing a Rapid-Response Approach Paul G. Rubin (Ph.D.), et al. 9:00 – 10:30 A.M. (Roundtable Session) – Unpacking STEM Students’ First-Year Experiences at a Newly Designated Hispanic-Serving Institution Jihye Lee (Ph.D.). 12:40 – 2:10 P.M. (Paper Session)- Hidden Barriers: Graduate Students in STEM and Possible […]

McBee Scholars Comment on Faculty Involvement in Budget Decisions
Members of the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education community, Karley Riffe (McBee Ph.D.) and Sondra Barringer and Brendan Cantwell (former postdocs at McBee) provide perspectives on faculty involvement in university financial decisions in a recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education, “The Rise of Faculty Budget Activists.” The article, by Megan Zahneis, explores […]

Buehrer Leads Effectiveness and Accreditation Initiatives at Indiana
In the fall, Danielle Buehrer (EdD 2021) started to a new role at Indiana University Bloomington as the associate vice president of enterprise effectiveness and accreditation under the Office of University Academic Policy, where she is also the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC ALO role is specific to […]

Perdomo Documents Impact of MSIs on Income Mobility
Rebecca Perdomo (PhD 2019) co-authored a research report on student financial outcomes among Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) with Robert Nathenson, Marybeth Gasman, Marvin Johnson, Doug Franklin, and Pearl Lo. The report, “Generational Jumps? How HSIs Promote Upward Mobility” was produced by the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions. Within the study, the team investigated intergenerational income […]

Brackmann Leads Community-Based Learning at Georgia Tech
Sarah Brackmann (McBee PhD) recently returned to the Georgia Institute of Technology as the director of community-based learning in the Office of Experiential and Engaged Learning. Brackmann will scale, develop, implement, and support academic community engagement initiatives that align with Georgia Tech’s plan to advance undergraduate educational objectives. In this role, she will collaborate widely […]

Major Study Provides 50 State Survey of Higher Education Funding
By Mary Harrison Kelly Rosinger (McBee PhD), Robert Kelchen, Mitchell Lingo, Dominique J. Baker, Justin Ortagus, and Jiayao Wu collaborated on a ground-breaking research study entitled, “A Typology and Landscape of State Funding for Public Colleges and Universities from 2004 to 2021” published in the Review of Higher Education. This work fills a gap in […]

Lips Emphasizes Collaboration in Enrollment Management Strategies
by Mary Harrison Kelley Lips (EdD, 2021) released an article, published by UniversityBusiness.com, entitled “Create Better Enrollment Outcomes by Breaking Down Department Barriers.” Lips emphasizes the importance of collaborative enrollment management, such as orientations and career counseling, across institutional departments to help student retention, financial stability, and sustainability. She states, “Institutions that embrace a holistic […]

Major Receives Faculty Achievement Award
by Mary Harrison Claire Major (McBee PhD), professor of higher education and faculty director of The University of Alabama Teaching Academy, is UA’s recipient of the 2024 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award. Jim Dalton, UA executive vice president and provost, said, “[Major’s] foundational leadership of UA’s Teaching Academy, innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and […]

Toolkit Calls for Changes in Faculty Hiring Processes
by Mary Harrison Marybeth Gasman and Rebecca Perdomo (PhD, 2019) authored a report, Achieving Equity: A Toolkit for Racially Inclusive Faculty Hiring, aimed at improving hiring processes within higher education institutions. In the report, published by the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education, Gasman and […]

Perdomo and Guajardo Investigate the Use of Title V Funds Within HSIs
by Mary Harrison Rebecca Perdomo (PhD, 2019) and Rodrigo Guajardo (PhD student) released a report titled, “Caring or Capitalizing: How HSIs Leverage Title V Funds” through the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. Perdomo and Guajardo explored Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) prioritization of funds and […]

Student Assistantships Spotlight 2024
We’re kicking off our month of Graduate Assistantship spotlights with Renni Turpin, who currently serves as a graduate assistant in the UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership Development with Embark Georgia. Embark Georgia supports students who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness to improve their access, retention, and success in postsecondary education. Working with Embark Georgia […]

Nietzel and Ambrose Advise Leaders to Focus on the Bottom Line
by Mary Harrison Michael T. Nietzel and Charles M. Ambrose (MIHE EdD, 1989) provided an overview of their new book entitled Colleges on the Brink: The Case for Financial Exigency, in Inside Higher Ed. Nietzel and Ambrose write that the higher education sector is navigating terrain made more difficult by “a prolonged stretch of sinking […]

Maine Named VP at Dalton State and Georgia Highlands
Kate Maine (Ed.D. 2019) was named as the inaugural vice president for marketing, communications and workforce development in a position shared between Dalton State University and Georgia Highlands College. Dalton State President John Fuchko III said, “Dr. Maine is an experienced higher education professional who understands the importance of Dalton State to our region, and […]

Quarles’ Responsibilities at Georgia Southern Expanded
by Jewel Caruso Dominique Quarles (PhD 2019) has been named the associate vice president for organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and inclusive excellence at Georgia Southern University. This change reflects Georgia Southern’s pursuit of institutional excellence “grounded in evidence-based leadership principles and a culture of high performances.” Quarles will now work in tandem with various leadership, […]

Delaney Joins UofM Leadership as CIO
by Jewel Caruso Jeff Delaney (EdD 2011) has been named as the new chief information officer at the University of Memphis. University of Memphis president, Dr. Bill Hardgrave, spoke on Delaney’s expertise and strong background for the role. Hardgrave said, “Coming from a similar technology background as Jeff, I saw he had a keen understanding […]

MIHE Community Tapped to Comment on Academic Job Market in Red States
by Jewel Caruso Paul Rubin (PhD 2017), Barrett Taylor (PhD 2012), and Brendan Cantwell (former McBee postdoc) contributed to a recent article in Inside Higher Ed by Ryan Quinn, “Are Professors Really Fleeing Universities in Red States?” In the article, Quinn addresses news articles that have “raised alarms” that waves of faculty members are fleeing […]

Gong & Toutkoushian Research Degree Expectations among High School Students
by Jewel Caruso An article by Hee Jung Gong (PhD 2021) and Robert Toutkoushian, McBee associate director, appears in the Educational Policy January 2024 issue. Their article, titled “High School Students’ Expectations and College Aspirations: Causes and Consequences,” explores the factors that influence high school students’ educational aspirations and expectations and the impact on student […]

McBee Alumni Recognized in Georgia Trend Magazine
by Jewel Caruso Marion Ross Fedrick (EdD 2021), 10th president of Albany State University, was recognized in Georgia Trend Magazine as one of Georgia’s Most Influential Leaders in Education. Under her leadership, ASU’s grant activity has more than doubled which includes a 2.9 million dollar Connecting Minority Communities Program federal grant. Fedrick plans to use […]

Ambrose Writes Book on Financial Crises and Exigency in Higher Ed Institutions
by Jewel Caruso Chuck Ambrose (EdD 1989) co-wrote a new book with Michael Nietzel, Colleges on the Brink: The Case for Financial Exigency, released on December 15th. Ambrose and Nietzel explore the financial crises that colleges are facing in the post-pandemic era and ways to help resolve the problems. They further discuss and give tools […]

Summer and Fall Graduates 2023
Rob Clark (PhD) is the senior director for Finance and Administration at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Previously, he served as the director of operations, maintenance, and projects at UGA’s Facilities Management Division. Clark is also a retired US Navy Officer. Jillian Morn (PhD) currently works as a research scientist in the […]

Bedsole to Lead Enrollment Management at Troy
by Jewel Caruso Blake Bedsole (EdD 2013) will assume his new position of associate vice chancellor for enrollment management at Troy University effective January 1, 2024. “I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Troy University’s associate vice chancellor for enrollment management,” Bedsole said. “TROY provides a wonderful college experience and unlimited […]

Keith Co-Edits Second Edition of Trends in Assessment
by Jewel Caruso Caleb Keith (PhD 2017) has recently co-edited the second edition of Trends in Assessment: Ideas, Opportunities, and Issues for Higher Education, a book published by Routledge. This second edition was released in early October and delves into the historical, current, and future directions of assessment in higher education. The wealth of information […]

Arndt Finds Neoliberalism Pervasive in College Student Government Campaigns
An article co-written by Alexa Arndt (PhD 2023) appears in the Journal of Campus Activities Practice and Scholarship. The research presented in the article, “College Student Government Elections and the Espousal of Neoliberalism in Campaign and Platform Discourse,” found neoliberal elements were “present in almost every platform and at every institution” in the study sample. […]

Daniel’s Public Service Recognized in Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40
by Jewel Caruso Jeremy Daniel (MEd 2016) was one of the professionals honored in Georgia Trend’s 2023 40 Under 40 list. Daniel currently serves as the assistant to the director for Strategic Initiatives for the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. Daniel helps the Vinson Institute maintain its mission to promote […]

Gándara Offers Recommendations to Improve Policy Engagement Among Faculty of Color
by Jewel Caruso Denisa Gándara (PhD 2016) recently co-authored a research study with four colleagues that investigated how colleges and universities can improve their support of engagement in public policy discourse among faculty of color. The article, “Supporting Public Policy Engagement for Tenure-Stream Faculty of Color,” was published in Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning. […]

Fuchko Named President of Dalton State College
by Jewel Caruso Effective October 5, John Fuchko III (EdD 2019) has been named the president of Dalton State College. Fuchko had been serving as its interim president since June of this year. USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue expressed his commitment to position the college to build on its reputation for positive student experiences, “In John, […]

Moore Appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to President Morehead
by Jewel Caruso Nathan Moore (PhD 2020) was recently appointed as deputy chief of staff to President Jere W. Morehead at the University of Georgia. He assumed his new responsibilities on October 1st. In Moore’s new position, he will be the leading point of contact for inquiries and day-to-day management of the President’s Office. In […]

Major Leads New Teaching Center at Alabama
by Jewel Caruso Claire Major (PhD 1998) was named the founding faculty director of the University of Alabama’s Teaching Academy. Currently a professor of higher education, Major is enthusiastic about the role of this new campus resource hub. “My vision for the UA Teaching Academy is to create a vibrant hub of teaching innovation and […]

Ambrose Joins Husch Blackwell Higher Education Group
by Jewel Caruso Husch Blackwell recently announced that Chuck Ambrose (EdD 1989) has joined its higher education practice group as a senior consultant. In the Blackwell news release, Ambrose expressed his motivation, “I am excited to join the Husch Blackwell team. The firm really stands apart from the field in terms of its depth of […]

Cumbass Identifies Trends in State Legislation on Higher Education
by Jewel Caruso Kanler Cumbass, M.Ed. 2021 and Education Strategy Group(ESG) associate, recently co-authored an article with Oreyane Tate highlighting the ways that lawmakers across the United States seek to legislate higher education’s role in students’ economic mobility and the overall economic well being of states. Published on the ESG website, “Education Meets Economic Mobility […]

Cecil Uses Economic Mobility to Rank Colleges
by Jewel Caruso Ben Cecil (PhD 2022) co-authored a report, “2023 Economic Mobility Index,” with Chazz Robinson published on Third Way’s website. The Economic Mobility Index (EMI) was created by Third Way in 2022 to provide an alternative metric to assessing institutions of higher education through their economic impact. In the 2023 report, the authors […]

Jackson Selected as EPFP Policy Fellow
by Jewel Caruso Stan Jackson (Ph.D. 2023) was selected for the 2023-2024 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP). EPFP is a national professional development program sponsored by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) that provides potential leaders with the knowledge and networks to advance the core issues of education policy. The individuals selected commit nine months […]

Burns Reports on Tuition and Aid for Undocumented Students
by Jewel Caruso Rachel Burns (PhD 2018) published a report with the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association titled, State tuition and fees for undocumented students. Burns is currently a senior policy analyst at SHEEO. The report “highlights and explores state policies for undocumented students during the 2022 fiscal year” at public two- and four-year […]

Belasco Interviewed in Wake of Supreme Court Ruling
by Jewel Caruso Andrew Belasco, PhD 2014, was interviewed in an NBC News article titled, “Four things students need to know after the Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action” by Nicole Acevedo, Sandra Lilley, Emi Tuyetnhi Tran, and Cora Cervantes. This summer the Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action as a means to use race […]

Parker Leads Office of Accreditation
by Jewel Caruso Maggie Parker, PhD 2022, was recently selected as the director of the Office of Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness at UGA. Previously, Parker served as the associate director for accreditation since 2016. In that role, she supported the institutional accreditation process, developed strategic plans, and analyzed data related to planning. This office is […]

Cecil Conducts High-Level Study on Current Presidents with ACE
by Jewel Caruso Ben Cecil (PhD 2022) co-authored an American Council on Education report earlier this year. “The American College President: 2023 Edition” is a five-year update to ACE’s body of work related to the American College President Study (ACPS). The purpose of the study is to present a profile of top administrative leadership in […]

Tiller Speaks on College Access for Foster Children in Inside Higher Ed
by Jewel Caruso Lori Tiller (PhD 2022) was quoted in Inside Higher Ed discussing statewide student outreach programs.. Tiller is the co-director of Embark Georgia, an initiative housed in the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development. The article, “Helping Former Foster Students Succeed” by Jessica Blake, explores the effect that experiencing foster care has on […]

Buehrer Provides Accreditation Guidance as Part of Fulbright Specialist Program
by Jewel Caruso Danielle Buehrer (EdD, 2021) was selected to participate in the Fulbright Specialist Program where she served for two weeks during the summer 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire. Buehrer is currently the vice provost for institutional effectiveness at Mercer University and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and […]

EdD Alum Hicks Named Chief Human Resources Officer at UGA
by Jewel Caruso Juanita Hicks (EdD, 2018) is the new senior associate vice president and chief human resources officer for the University of Georgia. She started her new position on July 1, 2023. In the news release, Ryan Nesbit, vice president for finance and administration, said, “Much has been done and much is in progress […]

Fuchko Announced as New Interim President at Dalton State
by Jewel Caruso John Fuchko III (EdD 2019) was named as the new interim president at Dalton State College and started on June 1, 2023. In the news release, Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the University System of Georgia, said “Dr. Fuchko has outstanding experience as a campus leader and with the university system office, and […]

McBee Researchers Collaborate for Chapter in New Book
by Jewel Caruso The American Educational Research Association (AERA) recently released the book, Volatility in State Spending for Higher Education edited by Jennifer A. Delaney. Two McBee faculty members, James C. Hearn and Erik Ness, collaborated with two alumni, Denisa Gándara and Paul Rubin, to write a chapter in this new book, titled “Political Volatility […]

Scholars with McBee Ties Study COVID-19’s Impact on State Funding of Higher Education
by Jewel Caruso Research by three McBee Institute PhD graduates and a former postdoctoral associate is published in Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis. The article, titled “‘One of the Weakest Budget Players in the State’: State Funding of Higher Education at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic” is a qualitative study of higher education appropriation […]

Whatley Wins NAFSA Innovative Research Award
by Jewel Caruso Melissa Whatley (PhD 2019) is the recipient of the 2023 TLS Innovative Research in International Education Award from NAFSA: Association of International Educators. This award is given to individuals whose research is applicable to international education and meets NAFSA’s knowledge domains. Their research must also demonstrate an impact in the field of […]

Stein Named 10th President of Mary Baldwin University
by Jewel Caruso Jeffrey P. Stein (EdD 2017) was recently named as the 10th president of Mary Baldwin University and will start July 1, 2023. Stein is a graduate of the executive education doctoral program at the McBee Institute. Through his 21 years at Elon University, he served as the vice president for strategic initiatives, […]

Spring Graduates 2023
Alexa Arndt (PhD 2023) served as a research assistant with the J. W. Fanning Institute. Her research interests include women in senior leadership roles within institutions of higher education. Arndt was also previously the president of the Higher Education Student Society (HESS). Brian Brookey (MEd 2023) serves as the Regional Director of Development for the […]

Mitchell Featured Guest on Forbes Books Audio
by Jewel Caruso John Mitchell, EdD 2011, was on the March 16 episode of The Forbes Books Podcast. With host Joe Pardavila, Mitchell discusses how the pandemic changed the world recruitment and talent management in this episode. Mitchell touches on how the possibility of a recession is causing companies to slow their hiring with the […]

Cecil Accepts New Position with Third Way
by Jewel Caruso Ben Cecil, PhD 2022, recently accepted a new position with Third Way as a senior education policy advisor Previously, Cecil was a research associate for the American Council on Education (ACE) based in Washington, D.C., while he was earning his PhD. Third Way is a national think-tank that champions modern center-left idea. […]

President Fedrick Named One of the Most Dominant HBCU Leaders
by Jewel Caruso Marion Ross Fedrick, EdD 2021, has been selected for the 2023 class of Top Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders by the HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF). This annual class of leaders are chosen because they have “proven their responsibilities for shaping policies, changing perspectives, and making decisions that affect millions of individuals in […]

McBee Institute Celebrates Our Alumnae Teaching in Higher Education Classrooms
Graduates of the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education excel in many different areas of our field. Below are the alumnae that we are aware of who are currently teaching in higher education classrooms across the United States. Karley Riffe, PhD 2018 Karley Riffe is an assistant professor in higher education at the University of […]

Morrison Named Chief Strategy Officer
by Jewel Caruso Jim Morrison (EdD, 2011) was recently named the new chief strategy officer for the University of Oklahoma. This role will involve overseeing the coordinated implementation of strategic plans to “ensure university-wide alignment and progress across all three OU campuses.” President Joseph Harrox Jr spoke on Morrison’s career, “Morrison has focused his career […]

Whatley and Stich Research Cited in The Chronicle of Higher Education
by Jewel Caruso A research paper co-authored by Amy Stich and Melissa Whatley in 2020 recently appeared in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The new article, titled “Latitudes: To Improve Study-Abroad Rates, College Focus on the Missing Students” by Karin Fischer, discusses the obstacles underrepresented students experience with study abroad opportunities. When the topic of […]

Hee Jung Gong Accepts Assistant Professor Position at Alabama
by Jewel Caruso Hee Jung Gong (PhD 2021) recently accepted a tenure-track assistant professor position in the department of educational leadership, policy and technology studies at the University of Alabama. Hee Jung shared her excitement on her new position, “I am truly excited to join the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy and Technology studies at […]

Buehrer Elected to the SACSCOC Board of Trustees
by Jewel Caruso Danielle Buehrer (EdD, 2021) was elected to the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees this past December. In their annual meeting in December, Buehrer was voted in by the majority of the College Delegate Assembly. She started her three-year term on January 1st, along with […]

Mitchell Advises Employers on their Hiring Mindsets in ITProToday
by Jewel Caruso John Mitchell (EdD 2011) recently wrote an opinion piece in ITProToday called “Take a Ridge on the Workforce Rollercoaster.” Mitchell uses a rollercoaster as a metaphor for the ever-changing job seeking environment, and how companies should change their mindset to adapt and be “armed with the best tools and resources on the […]

Cecil and Jeffery Research International Student Engagement
by Jewel Caruso Ben Cecil (PhD 2022) and Justin Jeffery (PhD 2021) co-authored an article recently published in the Journal of Higher Education Policy and Leadership Studies. The paper, “International Student Engagement: Closing Gaps and Internationalizing Student Affairs,” was released in the December 2022 issue. International students experience many challenges at US Institutions; such as, […]
Ford to be Next Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
by Jewel Caruso Tracey Ford (EdD 2002) has been named the next associate vice chancellor for student affairs at The University of Texas System. She will assume this position in late March 2023. In her role as associate vice chancellor, Ford “will serve as a resource to student affairs leaders across the eight UT academic […]

Collier, Barringer, and Riffe Research on University Presidents Appears in The International Journal of Higher Education Research
by Jewel Caruso Kate Collier (doctoral student), Sondra Barringer (former post doc), and Karley Riffe (alumnus) appear in The International Journal of Higher Education Research. The paper, “University presidents as agents of connection: an exploratory study of elite presidential ties in the United States, 2005-2020,” explores how university presidents form relations between their institutions and […]

Coco as New University Innovation Alliance Fellow at Utah
by Jewel Caruso Lindsay Coco (PhD 2015) has been named the inaugural University Alliance Fellow for the University of Utah. Coco currently serves as the special assistant to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. In her 17 years of experience, she has built first-generation student programming, scholars’ programs, rural student success programs, and an early start […]

Hughes’ Performance Featured in UGAToday
by Jewel Caruso Solomon Hughes (PhD 2013) was featured in UGAToday covering his Emmy-nominated HBO series Winning Time. Hughes plays Kareem Abdul-Jabber, an iconic basketball player and social activist, who won a President Medal of Freedom. Hughes drew on personal experiences as a former player of the University of California-Berkeley, as a student and administrator […]

Burns Weighs in on Report Concerning the Impacts of College Closures on Students
by Jewel Caruso Rachel Burns (PhD 2018) was recently quoted in an article for the Dallas Business Journal, “New research underscores disruption caused by college closures.” The article talks about a report published by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Associate (SHEEO) and the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center on the impacts of school closures. […]

Lott Choi Joins NITA as their Education Director
by Jewel Caruso Rhani Lott Choi (EdD 2020) joined the National Institute for Trial Advocacy as their education director in June 2022. This role is a brand new position to the organization and will oversee faculty recruitment, training and development, and curriculum design. Wendy McCormack, the Executive Director, said about Choi: “I am so excited […]

Bell Adds to Research on Need-Based Aid in Education Abroad
by Jewel Caruso Angela D. Bell (PhD 2008) co-published an article with three other University System ofG Georgia faculty: Leslie E. Hodges, Donald L. Rubin, and Coryn Shiftlet. Their research, “Need-Based Aid, Participation in Education Abroad, and Program Type Choice” was published in the Journal of Student Financial Aid. They designed the study to confirm […]

Malloy Transitions to VP for Student Affairs at UND
by Jewel Caruso Art Malloy (EdD 2019) has been named the vice president for student affairs at the University of North Dakota and will start on January 9th, 2023. Malloy is currently serving as associate vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He has been […]

President Biden Announced Intent to Appoint Gándara to National Board
by Jewel Caruso On October 27th, President Joe Biden announced 14 key appointments to the National Board for Education Sciences. Among these individuals was Denisa Gándara, an alumnus of McBee Institute’s PhD Program. The National Board for Education Sciences holds 15 voting members appointed by the President. These individuals are responsible for advising the director, […]

Johnson Leaves the SEC for Alma Mater Baylor
by Jewel Caruso Torie Johnson (EdD 2017) recently accepted a position with Baylor University as the new associate vice president for strategic communication and initiatives. Johnson, who currently serves as the associate commissioner for academic relations for the SEC, will transition into this role effective November 28th. Johnson graduated from Baylor University with a journalism […]

Wolniak and Burman Find Ties Between Campus Closures and Student’s Academic Self-Efficacy
by Jewel Caruso Greg Wolniak, associate professor, and Sarah Burman, doctoral candidate, report the impacts of COVID-19-related campus closures on students’ sense of belonging and academic self in their article, “COVID-19 Disruptions: Evaluating the Early Impacts of Campus.” Published in the Journal of College Student Development, the article capitalizes on a pre-existing longitudinal survey that […]

Norton Recognized for Occupational Excellence
by Jewel Caruso The Black Faculty and Staff Organization awards the Ed Wilker Memorial Egalitarian Award, which recognizes occupational excellence to UGA staff members yearly. McBee Institute alumni Narke Norton (MEd 2019) was this year’s honoree. Norton is currently the associate director for recruitment and diversity initiatives at the UGA Graduate School. In addition, he […]

Leming Launches Higher Education Podcast
by Jewel Caruso Heidi Leming (PhD 2013) kicked off a higher education podcast, “From the Vice Chancellor (VC)’s Shelf.” Joined by other faculty and staff across the TBR System, they will discuss themes in the book Disruptive Transformation in Higher Education by Colin Stewart and Robert Dwayne Kelly. The first episode launched at the end […]

Researchers with McBee Ties: Explore State-Level Influences on Educational Funding Decisions
by Jewel Caruso Three McBee Institute graduates and a postdoctoral associate combined forces to research funding trends during the pandemic, Paul Rubin (PhD 2017), Meredith Billings (Postdoc Research and Teaching Associate 2017-2019), Lindsey Hammond (PhD 2020), and Denisa Gándara (PhD 2016). An article based on this work was recently published in American Behavioral Scientist titled […]

Gándara Releases Loan Forgiveness Op-Ed
by Jewel Caruso Denisa Gándara (PhD 2016) released her first op-ed in Newsweek amid the large student loan forgiveness debate. “Now Let’s Make College Free” addresses President Biden’s recent announcement of the largest student loan forgiveness deal in United States history. Gándara specifically tells us how this step is so important: “Student-loan forgiveness is an […]

Ambrose Talks Financial Health and Student Success on CCA Podcast
by Jewel Caruso Charles Ambrose (EdD, 1989) was featured on the Complete College America (CCA) podcast CCA On the Air discussing student success at Henderson State University with CCA President Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva. In the episode, Ambrose discussed his transition to Henderson State and the challenges they had and what he had to overcome […]

Rubin Analyzes CRS Reports on Education
by Jewel Caruso Paul Rubin (PhD 2017) recently co-published a research article this month called “Analyzing Congressional Research Service Reports on Education: How is Information Used at Congress’s Think Tank?” Rubin and his co-authors provide insights into the content and sources that the Congressional Research Service (CRS) references when developing reports and providing information to […]

Hawk Accepts New Position at Clemson
by Jewel Caruso Holly Hawk (PhD 2020) recently accepted a new position at Clemson University in the School of Accountancy as a clinical assistant professor. Hawk previously taught in the Tull School of Accounting at the University of Georgia. She earned her Masters of Accountancy with a concentration in Audit and Systems from UGA and […]

Riffe Accepts Faculty position with UC
by Jewel Caruso Karley Riffe (PhD 2018) announced her relocation from Auburn University to the University of Cincinnati. She will be joining the faculty as an assistant professor in higher education. Riffe stated that this transition holds a lot of meaning to her in her Twitter announcement: “This move is significant both professionally AND personally. […]

Taylor Critiques Higher Education in New Book
by Jewel Caruso Barrett J. Taylor’s (PhD, 2012) new book, Wrecking: Deinstitutionalization and Partial Defenses in State Higher Education Policy (Rutgers University Press, 2022) is now available in paperback and e-book. In the publication, Taylor shows how social changes set a collision course in higher education and offers a unique and compelling perspective linking higher […]

Enrollment Management Strategies Discussed
McBee IHE graduates, students, and faculty gathered for a discussion of enrollment management on Friday, July 29 over lunch. Graduates Kelley Lips and Rebecca Sandidge led the conversation and provided an overview of the strategic place of enrollment management in higher education institutions. Lips and Sandidge noted that enrollment is a newer and broader term […]

Fuchko Appointed CSU Interim President
by Jewel Caruso John Fuchko III (PhD 2019) was appointed the interim president for Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. Fuchko outlined his approach to this new role in his open letter on the CSU president’s webpage. He stated his commitment to the institution’s tagline is to be Creative to the Core. “As each of […]

Leming Authors Chapter in Recently Published Book
by Jewel Caruso Heidi Leming (PhD 2013) authored a chapter in the recently released book Delivering on the Promise of high-Impact Practices: Research and Models for Achieving equity, Fidelity, Impact and Scale. The book specifically explores the Tennessee’s Board of Regents (TBR) System’s work with high impact practices (HIPs). Leming’s chapter, titled “Supporting Tennessee’s Completion […]
Beyond Academia: Graduate Panel Shares Lessons from Careers
The McBee Institute welcomed four graduates back into the classroom virtually on July 21 to speak to students about their preparation for and experiences in noncampus roles. The panel consisted of Rachel Burns, senior policy analyst at SHEEO; Patrick Crane, vice president of strategic initiatives in the North Carolina Community College System; Samaad Wes Key, […]

Keys Selected for UGA’s 2022 40 Under 40 class
by Jewel Caruso Samaad Wes Keys, PhD 2014, was selected for UGA’s 2022 40 Under 40 class presented by the UGA Alumni Association. Currently, Keys is a program officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Prior to his current position, Keys was recruited to the Southern Education Foundation where he helped build higher education […]

Whatley Explores Pandemic Repercussions in Latest Publication
by Jewel Caruso Melissa Whatley (PhD 2019) announced her latest publication in the Journal of Comparative and International Higher Education which was co-written with Heidi Fischer of Old Dominion University. The article, “Pandemic Repercussions: The Future of International Education at US Community Colleges”, explores the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic that can help community colleges […]

Whatley Receives Best International Study Article Award
by Jewel Caruso Melissa Whatley (PhD 2019) received the 2022 Best Article Award from the CIES Study Abroad and International Students (SAIS) Special Interest Group. The article, “Balancing finances, politics, and public health: international student enrollment and reopening plans at US higher education institutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic”, was co-written with Santiago Castiello, a higher […]

Burnside Takes New Position as Director at USM
by Jewel Caruso Ashley Burnside (EdD 2019) has been named the director of the center for student success at the University of Southern Mississippi starting July 1, 2022. She will lead projects on the success and retention-based initiatives, student outreach, staff operations, and retention-based scholarship awarding. When asked what drew her into this new position […]

Quarles Named Associate Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at GS
by Jewel Caruso Dominique A. Quarles (PhD 2019) has been named Georgia Southern University’s associate vice president for inclusive excellence and chief diversity officer starting August 1, 2022. The institution has committed to making inclusive excellence a strategic pillar and a core value. Quarles’ position is essential to achieving that goal. Quarles is an alumnus […]

Hearn and Warshaw TIAA Report Recognized by Inside Higher Ed
by Jewel Caruso James Hearn and Jarrett Warshaw’s (PhD 2016) latest TIAA (The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association) Institute report, “The pandemic and access-oriented private nonprofit colleges” was highlighted in an article on Inside Higher Ed. Access-oriented colleges have less selective acceptance rates and a wide range of test scores. This study seeks to answer […]

Whatley’s Research Studies Inequities in Access to International Education
by Jewel Caruso On June 20th, Dr. Melissa Whatley (PhD 2019) tweeted an announcement of her latest publication in the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. “Who enrolls in internationalized courses? An exploration of at-home access at one community college” is available on APA PsychNet’s website. Whatley says her publication “adopts an equity-focused lens to […]

Crain Starts New Role at Missouri S&T
by Jewel Caruso Andrew Crain (PhD 2020) started a new position as the lead recruitment consultant at the Missouri University of Science and Technology on April 4, 2022. Crain’s new position will allow him to directly support the growth of Missouri S&T by recruiting top executives and academic talent. His passion and experience in career […]

Mathies Joins ODU Faculty This Fall
by Jewel Caruso Charles Mathies (PhD 2010) will join Old Dominion University as a tenure-track assistant professor this fall. Mathies’s research focuses on international higher education, examining higher education policy at the international, national, and organizational levels. For the past 11 years, he has worked as a research fellow at the University of Jyväskylä in […]

MIHE @ AIR Forum 2022
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) Forum returned as an in-person gathering on June 6-9, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The MIHE community was well represented with presentations each day and with Karen Webber transitioning to president of the organization on Wednesday, June 8.Check out the sessions below. More information about the conference and list of all […]

New Quantitative Analysis Book Written by Whatley
Melissa Whatley’s quip on Twitter is representative of the humor and approachability that she brings to quantitative analysis. She writes, “when I was in the first grade all I wanted to do was be an author. I’m not sure a quant methods textbook is what 5-year-old me had in mind, but maybe this will do.” […]

Blanchard and Clayton’s Contributions Recognized at LSU
Joy Blanchard (MIHE PhD) and Ashley Clayton (former postdoctoral associate) were honored for their contributions to the LSU community at a special awards ceremony on May 4 for university faculty. Blanchard received the 2022 Brij Mohan Distinguished Professor Award. This award recognizes a full-time faculty member at the rank of associate professor who serves as […]

Riffe Explores Challenges for Professors of Working-Class Backgrounds
by Larissa Lozano Although there is substantial writing by academics from working-class backgrounds, there is little research on the relationship between social class and positions in academia. To address this gap in research, Karly Riffe (MIHE PhD 2018), Meghan Pifer, Jacob Hartz, and Maria Ibarra gathered narratives from over 200 working-class academics (WCA) to understand […]

Gándara Examines the Rhetoric around Performance-based Funding
by Larissa Lozano Denisa Gándara (PhD 2016) and Stijn Daenekindt, (Ghent University), take a unique approach to researching performance-based funding (PBF). While previous research focused narrowly on states that have implemented, their study also includes states that have not implemented this policy through data modeling and analysis of PBF-related rhetoric in newspapers. In its basic […]

MIHE Community at AERA 2022
A large number of MIHE students, faculty, alumni, and former postdoctoral associates are participating in the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), Cultivating Equitable Education Systems for the 21st Century. The meeting was held April 21-26, 2002 with participants able to attend virtually and in-person in San Diego, CA. AERA 2022 Thursday, April 21 […]

Barringer Explores How Academic Structure Influences Adaptability
by Larissa Lozano “Despite the centrality of academic structure to [higher education organizations] and their work, our knowledge of it is limited,” says Sondra Barringer, MIHE postdoctoral associate 2013-2016. She aims to bridge this knowledge gap through her article “Understanding Academic Structure: Variation, Stability, and Change at the Center of the Modern Research University” for The […]

Is Grad School Worth It? Webber and Burns Examine the Debt Crisis
As enrollment in graduate programs is increasing, so is educational debt. Many students wonder if they can afford to stay in school and how they can reduce the debt burden of attending college. Using national data on student finance and institutional expenditures, Karen Webber, professor emerita of higher education at the McBee Institute of Higher […]

Le-Quita Booth: A Life of Prevailing Optimism
When Le-Quita Booth enrolled in the Ed.D program at the University of Georgia’s Institute of Higher Education (now the Louise McBee Institute) in the mid-1980s, she had no difficulty articulating her motivation. She was told that she needed a doctoral degree to be considered for the promotion she wanted. So, she pursued and obtained the […]

Burns Quantifies Impact of College Closures
by Larissa Lozano Rachel Burns, MIHE alumna, will lead and develop a multi-year research initiative to quantify the impacts of college closures in partnership with the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. In her new role as senior policy analyst at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO), she also will support other organization priorities […]
Brantley Seeks Causes of Professional Burnout among Chief Academic Officers
by Larissa Lozano Brantley conducted interviews with chief academic officers and uncovered eleven key insights into what exactly makes chief academic officers stay or leave their positions. Brantley cites recent research indicating that 47% of CAOs have been in their positions three years or less and the median term is around six years. Brantley has […]

Hooper Named Dean at Augusta Technical College
Dr. Kellie McElroy Hooper has been appointed as the first dean of the School for Public and Professional Services at Augusta Technical College. “I believe learning is a lifelong experience that can be life changing. Learning promotes growth, curiosity, and increases self-confidence,” Hooper says. Hooper received her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the McBee […]

Fall Graduates 2021
The McBee Institute proudly announces the following students earned their degrees during the fall 2021 Ahmed Banya (EdD)- senior operations manager at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Parris Baker (MEd)- fiscal affairs manager in the UGA VetMed Center of Vaccines and Immunology Andy Brantley (EdD)- president and CEO, College and University Professional Association […]

Blanchard Looks at Coaches’ Salaries
Joy Blanchard, LSU professor and MIHE graduate, admits that she calculated how long it would take her university’s football coach, at his salary, to earn her salary for “a little dark fun.” But the answer, 2.6 days, is even more stark than anticipated. The deeper truths behind her question go beyond finances and into overall […]

Taylor Challenges UF Logic in Chronicle Article
Barrett Taylor (PhD 2012) is quoted extensively in an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education on the University of Florida controversy surrounding the barring of professors to testify in litigation against the state (‘I’m Speechless’: What prompted the U of Florida to tell professors not to testify?) Members of the university administration defended the […]

Zoomtable Explores Changes to Campus Worklife
McBee IHE graduate Angie Royer led a Zoomtable on campus work forces, Adapting and Thriving in an Ever-changing World. The pandemic forced faculty and students to dive into remote learning, and it introduced many staff members and their supervisors to teleworking. Royer shared emerging research and data to unpack how higher education institutions and other […]

Cumbass Focuses His Career on Student Finances
Following his graduation in May 2021, Kanler Cumbass (MEd) started as a post-graduate intern for the Education Strategy Group (ESG). He hopes to work with administrations to uplift marginalized student populations. His main research interests include Title IV/financial aid policy, and the impact student finances have on degree attainment. Cumbass said, “[T]he organization believes that […]

Gándara Returns to Undergraduate Alma Mater as Professor
Denisa Gándara (PhD 2016) joined the University of Texas as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. Her research agenda broadly explores higher education policy and finance, with an emphasis on populations historically excluded from and underserved in higher education. Gándara is a William T. Grant Scholar and the recipient of […]

Crain’s Policy Paper Wins Competition
Andrew Crain (PhD 2020) won first place in the Journal of Science Policy & Governance Policy position paper competition. His paper, “Inclusive Science Policy and Economic Development in the 21st Century: The Case for Rural America,” provides four key recommendations for a more equitable science policy that taps into the rich potential of the rural […]

Tschepikow Launches Office of Business Engagement
Kyle Tschepikow (PhD 2012) is the executive director for business engagement and innovation, effective August 2021. In this newly-formed position, he oversees the formation of the Office of Business Engagement., a merger of Corporate Relations and Industry Engagement. In addition to providing strategic leadership of the UGA Innovation District. Kyle’s work will seek to strengthen […]

Keen Assumes New Role at Augusta University
Dr. Russell Keen, (EdD, 2019), an administrator with more than 20 years’ experience in higher education, has been named executive vice president for administration and chief of staff to Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel. President Keel report that “as part of his ongoing work, Russell will have the overall responsibility of coordinating activities between […]

Perdomo’s HACU Dashboard Promoted in Forbes
Rebecca Perdomo (PhD 2019) is featured in Forbes (August 16, 2021) “What Do We Know About Hispanic Serving Institutions?” Perdomo and colleagues at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Schools (HACU) launched a Hispanic-Serving Institution Dashboard to provide details about individual schools. On a macro-level, the Dashboard offers regional context and a visualization of where […]

Nathan Moore Named Assistant to President Morehead
Effective August 16, Nathan Moore (IHE PhD 2020) will assume the position of assistant to the president at the University of Georgia. As assistant to the president, Nathan’s work will focus primarily on executive communications, strategic planning, regional accreditation, and university research and innovation. Nathan has more than 15 years of experience in higher education […]

Quarles Named VP for Access, Diversity & Inclusion at MSU
Dominique Quarles (PhD 2019) accepted a new position as assistant vice president for access, diversity, and inclusion at Mississippi State University, effective August 1. Dr. Quarles has served as the director of diversity and inclusion in the Office of Institutional Diversity at the University of Georgia since 2017.

Kiely Joins UNC Asheville Career Center
Andrea Kiely (MEd 2021) accepted a position at UNC Asheville as the career coach in University’s Career Center. Since her appointment, Kiely has been preparing for the students’ return for fall classes, and is excited to get started working with them individually and in group settings. As part of her role, she also will supervise […]

Patterson Leads Research at SoundRocket
Josh Patterson (PhD 2020) recently was named the research director for higher education studies at SoundRocket, a research study design implementation and analysis service. “I’m excited to join a company with an established reputation for sound social science research and to help build on their success in multi-institutional studies and campus climate research in higher […]

Letzring Joins SACSCOC Board
Tim Letzring (IHE EdD) has been elected to serve on the board of trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The 77 member board oversees accreditation of about 800 public and private colleges and universities across 11 southern states. “It is a great opportunity to serve on the SACSCOC […]

Riffe and Barringer Examine Staff Work-Life
Karley Riffe (IHE PhD 2018) and Sondra Barringer (former postdoc) found significant and persistent differences in staff salaries across institutions of higher education, over time, and across occupational families. Their research, recently published in the Review of Higher Education, focused on salaries, organizational structures and labor markets for non-instructional and non-administrator staff in four-year non-profit […]

Turk Shares Takeaways from Pulse Surveys
Jon Turk recently rejoined ACENet’s podcast DotEDU as a guest in the “What Covid-19 Has Taught Higher Education Leaders” episode (June 17, 2021). He shared on-going findings from a partnership between TIAA Research and ACE to survey college and university presidents through the pandemic. The short “presidential pulse surveys” began in April 2020 and have […]

Cox Advises Parents in College Guidebook
This week it was announced that Lady Cox (IHE EdD, 2019), Auburn University’s Associate Vice President for Student Affairs is a co-author of the recently released book, College Ready 2021: Expert Advice for Parents to Simplify the College Transition. Cox joins thirteen other family relations professionals from major universities around the country in contributing to […]

Turk Joins Faculty at Saint Louis University
Jonathan Turk (PhD) starts a new position as assistant professor of higher education in the School of Education at Saint Louis University in August 2021. He will teach research methods courses in the school’s graduate program. Turk also will pursue his active research interests, particularly around higher education access, persistence, and success among community college […]

Whatley Named Assistant Professor
Dr. Melissa Whatley (PhD 2019) started a new position as an assistant professor of international and global education at the School for International Training’s Graduate Institute. The SIT Graduate Institute is a private graduate institution that focuses on global leadership and development. The Institute provides a variety of degrees, including international education, climate change, and […]

Rosinger Updates Narrative around Test-optional Admissions Policies
Increasing campus diversity is a pressing issue in higher education, and many institutions are exploring many different solutions. In a recent Hechinger Report article by Jill Barshay, Dr. Kelly Rosinger (IHE PhD) discussed her research on how test-optional policies affect—or rather, do not affect—diversity in college enrollment. Dr. Rosinger’s research shows that both students of […]

Gándara Selected as W.T. Grant Scholar
Dr. Denisa Gándara (IHE PhD) has been selected for the William T. Grant Scholar class of 2026. The Scholars Program supports the development of early-career researchers whose work can inform future policy development for US higher education institutions. Scholars receive a grant of $350,000 for a five-year research plan, access to a network of scholars […]
IHE Graduates Discuss Campus Racial Equity
Dr. George Spencer moderated a conversation with three IHE graduates and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leaders who discussed how individuals and institutions can move towards racial equity in all aspects of higher education. The panelists were Dr. Ed Lee III of Emory University, Dr. Dominique Quarles of the University of Georgia, and Dr. Tiffanie […]

Kramer Finds Community College Baccalaureate Programs Expand Access
With the cost of and need for college degrees rising, a common solution across 23 states has been to allow community colleges to award bachelor’s degrees. The perceived expansion of the traditional community college role has caused concern over how the policies affect neighboring 4-year institutions. In an article published by the American Educational Research […]

Rosinger Warns Attempts at Inclusivity Can “Other” Participants
Studies into higher education services and outcomes for the trans* community are emerging, but accessible and meaningful data is lacking. In a new brief in Educational Researcher (March 2021), co-written by Karly Ford, Kelly Rosinger (IHE PhD), Junghee Choi, and Gabriel Pulido, the authors urge major surveys to consider how to include gender and sex […]

Pharr Named VP of Marketing & Communications
Congratulations to IHE graduate Kathy Pharr, who was named Vice President for Marketing & Communications at the University of Georgia. Pharr, chief of staff in the Office of the President, has served as interim vice president for marketing and communications since July 1. She will continue the responsibilities of both Cabinet-level posts on a permanent […]

Torie Johnson: Bridging Academics and Athletics
Torie Johnson (EdD 2017) received well-deserved recognition in UGA’s Columns for her work highlighting the academic accomplishments at schools in the SEC. “Torie Johnson was going to be a sportscaster. In fact, she wanted to anchor SportsCenter on ESPN. She was on her way—becoming the first black editor of her school’s student newspaper; earning a […]

Patterson Defends Religious Engagement on Campuses
Dr. Josh Patterson (PhD 2020) issues a call to action to higher education leaders to protect and strengthen its forums for religious, spiritual and secular identity exploration. He maintains that requiring students to participate in a course on religious studies promotes healthier and deeper understanding of an individual’s own beliefs and productive exchanges on differences. […]

Perdomo Returns to HACU in New Role
Rebeca Perdomo (PhD 2019) is the director of policy analysis and information at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). She leads the Office of Policy Analysis and Information’s efforts to provide policy analyses and reports on issues affecting Hispanic higher education success and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), support HACU Government Relations advocacy efforts, and […]

IHE Team Gleans Lessons for Higher Ed Policy Organizations
Not all higher education intermediary organizations experience the sustained growth and effectiveness of Complete College America (CCA). In “Becoming a “game changer”: Complete College America’s role in U.S. higher education policy fields,” Erik C. Ness, Paul G. Rubin and Lindsey Hammond unpack some noteworthy characteristics that have contributed to CCA’s decade of success and influence. […]

Hearn and Burns Find No Financial Benefit to Contingency Hiring
In a broad survey of master’s and doctoral institutions spanning the decade around the 2008 financial crisis, Jim Hearn and Rachel Burns (PhD 2018) found no evidence that the tenure structure leads to inefficiencies in budget. Current research studies on contingency effects lack a holistic view of organizational costs and financial goals, and they tend […]

Patterson Finds Course Enrollment Tied to Institution Type More than to Student Characteristics
Drawing on recent work relating a reduction of racial bias with diversity education, Josh Patterson (PhD 2020) and Robert L. Foster seek to provide a foundation for studies seeking to explore the effects of religious education on ecumenical outlook. They write, “[B]eyond understanding the effect of [curricular] interventions on students, we also need to understand […]

Taylor Quoted on Backlash to Hiring Political Figures
Barrett Taylor (PhD 2012) is quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education article, “‘Many people are seeing different facts’: Carnegie Mellon official’s emails on election spark outcry” (Jan. 11, 2021). Senior reporter, Lindsay Ellis, points out that practice of hiring former lawmakers and government administrators into academic or affiliated positions is not uncommon, but that […]

Norton Recognized for Efforts to Fulfill the Dream
Mr. Narke Norton (MEd 2019) positively touches lives that will shape the future. This morning he received a President’s Fulfilling the Dream award at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Breakfast, sponsored by the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, the Clarke County School District, and the University of Georgia. Narke is the assistant director of […]