In this episode of dotEDU, Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja analyze the presidential campaigns so far and discuss what the upcoming lame duck session of Congress could mean for higher education legislation. Then, Sarah and Mushtaq engage in an inspiring conversation with Ardis Eschenberg, Chancellor of Windward Community College, about how her institution is supporting student parents and breaking down barriers to their success. This episode highlights the unique needs and strengths of student parents at institutions across the nation.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

dotEDU Live Post-Election Breakdown: What the 2024 Results Could Mean for Higher Education 
American Council on Education | Nov. 6, 2024 

Polls Are Tied, Voters Dig in and Harris, Trump Scratch for Any Advantage 
The Washington Post | Oct. 29, 2024 

Nate Silver: Here’s What My Gut Says About the Election, but Don’t Trust Anyone’s Gut, Even Mine 
The New York Times | Oct. 23, 2024 

Gaming Out the Lame Duck 
Politico | Sept. 26, 2024 

House Education Committee Advances Anti-Hazing Bill 
Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 12, 2024 

Ardis Eschenberg 
Windward Community College

Higher Ed Changemakers Prototype Strategies to Support Student-Parent Success
ACE | September 24, 2024

Raising Expectations for Institutional Intervention: What Colleges and Universities Can Do to Support Student-Parent Success
ACE | September 19, 2024 

Student-Parent Data: What We Know, What We Don’t, and How to Find Out
ACE | September 19, 2024 

Pu‘uhonua: Places of Sanctuary 
Windward Community College

Student Parent Story Dashboard 
Windward Community College

Hānaiaulu Childcare Center 
Windward Community College

Student-Parent Data: What We Know, What We Don't, and How to Find Out 
ACE | September 19, 2024 

New laws enacted since 2020 may impact student voters, especially tighter restrictions on student IDs. ACE General Counsel Peter McDonough joins hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer to unpack what these critical changes mean for campuses. Jon and Sarah also discuss what Congress accomplished before leaving Washington, DC, to campaign for next month’s elections.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

Higher Education Builds America
American Council on Education

North Carolina Colleges and Universities Support Relief Efforts Following Hurricane Helene
American Council on Education | Oct. 4, 2024

Lawmakers Eye Moving Quickly on NDAA After November Return
Roll Call | Oct. 1, 2024

Prepare for Fall 2024: Campus Safety and Free Speech Strategies and the Upcoming Election
American Council on Education

Student Voting and College Political Campaign-Related Activities in 2024
American Council on Education

Removal of On-Campus Voting on Election Day Sparks Uproar at Purdue
Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 3, 2024

How the Fastest-Growing County in Wisconsin Is Scrambling the Presidential Race
The New York Times | Sept. 20, 2024

Harvard legal scholar Cass Sunstein joins Mushtaq Gunja and Sarah Spreitzer to delve into the foundational role of the First Amendment in shaping responses to campus protests and free speech issues in higher education. Drawing from his latest book, Campus Free Speech: A Pocket Guide, written in the wake of the protests of spring 2024, Sunstein offers practical insights on the complexities surrounding the issue, including the distinctions between public and private institutions, the implications of Title VI, and more. The hosts also give a quick update on the short-term funding package approved by Congress just ahead of the Sept. 30 fiscal year deadline, and a new Government Accountability Office report on the troubled 2024 FAFSA rollout.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

Campus Free Speech: A Pocket Guide

Cass Sunstein Wants to Help Universities Navigate Free Speech Conflicts
Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 3, 2024

House Set to Advance Bill Preventing Government Shutdown
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Sept. 25, 2024

Congressional Watchdog Digs Into FAFSA Fiasco, Revealing Oversights, Call-Center Failures, and Unresolved Glitches
The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | Sept. 24, 2024