A disproportionate share of the nation’s nearly $2 trillion in student loan debt is carried by women. Black women in particular owe an outsize sum.

Does it have to be this way? Is it possible to go to college without taking on a lifetime of debt? College students, graduates, and others share their stories in this interview.

COVID-19 challenged college and university presidents. They were forced to lead amid multiple crises—the virus, racial unrest, and increases in mental health issues among students and other campus constituents. Some leaders were successful; others fumbled. Some stayed in their positions, and others resigned or retired. 

In a new book, Freeman A. Hrabowski, president emeritus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, outlines lessons learned during times of calm or crisis.

Cuts to the humanities are expected to grow at public universities across the country, particularly in rural areas. In response, some university systems are searching for innovative ways to restructure majors or entire universities.

For some institutions, that means integrating the humanities into science or technology majors. For others, it entails offering online humanities courses to students spread out on multiple campuses.