Higher Education Headlines: March 2
By Sheryl E. Taylor
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Colleges Brace for More Widespread Outbreak of Coronavirus—The Chronicle of Higher Education
“It’s not so much a question of if this will happen in this country anymore but a question of when this will happen.”
Retired, or Hoping to be, Saddled with Student Loans—The New York Times
Americans older than 60 are the fastest-growing group of college loan debtors — the vast majority of them borrowing for others — a consumer agency [Subscription Required]
Wharton Names First Female Dean—The Wall Street Journal
Erika James will be both the first woman and African-American to lead the 139-year-old business school. [Subscription Required]
Community College Presidents’ Posts are ‘Exploding’ on Social Media. Here’s Why.—The Chronicle of Higher Education
On his morning commute, Steve Robinson mulled over a persistent frustration: the stigma often borne by community colleges. That morning he resolved to harness the “power of Twitter” to counter those stereotypes. “A phrase came into my mind, and so did the string of characters for the hashtag.”
UH Expands Cougar Promise Program to Help Low-income Students with Tuition—Houston Chronicle
The University of Houston has expanded the reach of its Cougar Promise financial aid program to now help students with family incomes up to $125,000.
Former UT Coach Michael Center Sentenced to Six Months in Connection with Admissions Scandal—Houston Chronicle
Center took a $100,000 bribe in exchange for marking a prospective student a tennis recruit. The student had no background in tennis and left the team shortly after being accepted into the university.
What Happened to the Students Caught Up in the College Admissions Scandal?—The New York Times
None of the young people whose parents are accused of wrongdoing were charged with crimes in the admissions case. But they have faced consequences. [Subscription Required]
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
