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Ben Cecil

@bencecil.bsky.social
417 followers 272 following 24 posts

Deputy Director of Higher Education Policy @thirdwayedu.bsky.social Washington, D.C. www.thirdway.org/about/staff/ben-ce…

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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Grad debt makes up nearly half of student loans. In our latest blog, @bencecil.bsky.social argued Congress intended a narrow definition of ‘professional’ programs so students aren’t overborrowing and have manageable debt. More from @jessicablake.bsky.social @insidehighered.com 🔗: buff.ly/0BSvDPN
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Student loan rules are on the table. As negotiators define ‘graduate’ and ‘professional’ programs under OBBBA, access to federal aid and student debt outcomes hang in the balance. Learn more from @bencecil.bsky.social ⤵️ buff.ly/94wWcIz
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Our senior policy advisor @bencecil.bsky.social‬ told @usatoday.com‬ that the loan caps for grad students and parents in the Senate’s reconciliation bill are “much more reasonable” than those in the House’s. Read more about proposed student loan changes. 💰
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Major student loan changes just came one step closer to becoming law
Senate Republicans advanced a legislative package that would slash the number of student loan repayment plans and increase regulations on colleges.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
I'm looking forward to attending the EWA National Seminar in St. Louis next week. Reporters on the higher education beat, let's connect and chat—there's a lot going on here in DC! #highered #highereducation
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Our Senior Policy Advisor, @bencecil.bsky.social , joined “Trust Be Told” to explore the complex challenges + urgent opportunities facing higher ed institutions in the US and how to rebuild confidence in the value of a degree. Catch the full conversation on Spotify & Apple Podcasts! 🎙️
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Amidst the push for loan cancellation, one of the downstream effects is how high schoolers' think about college value and whether or not it's worth it. In my latest for @thirdwayedu.bsky.social, we analyze how students today are thinking about loans, cost, and whether higher ed is for them.
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Calls to privatize student loans are gaining traction—but would it really fix the system? It could mean higher costs, stricter eligibility & fewer protections. Rather than dismantling federal loans, accountability & efficiency are key. Read more from @bencecil.bsky.social 💰: buff.ly/f5G126Z
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
There's been much chatter about how to reform student loans, including privatization. In my latest @thirdwayedu.bsky.social, I examine the claims of privatization advocates and explain how such a move would impact students, families, and taxpayers. READ: www.thirdway.org/memo/privati...
thirdway.org
Third Way
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Did you know that regional public universities (RPUs) educate 70% of all students attending four-year public institutions in the US each year? 🤔With affordability being one of RPUs’ major draw, these institutions provide incredible value and ROI:
thirdway.org
Regional Public Universities: Expanding Higher Education's ROI for Students and Communities – Third Way
Third Way is a center-left think tank that champions modern solutions to the most challenging problems in US public policy, including the economy, climate and energy, national security, social…
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Cecilia Orphan @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
We describe how different types of RPUs create value for their regions and students. We conclude with policy recommendations that at the time, seemed great but now seem downright fantastical but are still worth stating. Thanks to @bencecil.bsky.social for the invite to write about RPUs!
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Cecilia Orphan @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
I truly believe that Regional Public Universities provide the best possible answer to questions about what value/ROI higher education provides society, which is why I co-wrote a @thirdwayedu.bsky.social brief about them. New publication 🚨! www.thirdway.org/report/regio...
thirdway.org
Third Way
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Great piece from @econroy.bsky.social ft. some insights from @bencecil.bsky.social! Republican voters want more accountability across the board, including in higher education. Eliminating ED would make it harder to ensure students and taxpayers get a strong return on investment.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
It was a pleasure to work with @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social on this policy brief. Take a look to see how RPUs are delivering on the promise of higher education and policy recommendations to strengthen their impact on students and their communities. www.thirdway.org/report/regio...
thirdway.org
Third Way
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
🗣️ Republican voters still value higher ed, according to @ThirdWayEdu @BenCecil's latest poll: 📊87% want more accountability 💰83% support financial transparency 💳79% back continuing PSLF 🛡️71% say guardrails are needed to protect students bit.ly/4kojZpB
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
OUT NOW! Our new poll shows that Republican voters want policymakers to strengthen many higher education programs and policies. 87% of Republican voters think more accountability is needed in higher ed. Read more ⬇️https://bit.ly/4kojZpB
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
My latest @thirdwayedu.bsky.social: Republicans haven't abandoned higher education, see the value of a degree, and like colleges and universities. They broadly support many of Congress' targets for budget reconciliation like the Pell Grant and PSLF. READ: thirdway.org/memo/what-do...
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Jeremy Bauer-Wolf @jbeowulf.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
New from me. DOGE staff have accessed sensitive Education Department data, almost certainly illegally. What are the repercussions? What kind of data does the ED Department collect? How does this relate to the administration's efforts to purge DEI? Read on: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
newamerica.org
Get the Hell Out of DOGE: Elon Musk's Team Infiltrates Education Department Data
Staff with U.S. DOGE Service, charged with scrutinizing federal spending, has reportedly fed sensitive data into artificial intelligence software.
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
What happens when there’s a Pell shortfall? Policymakers have to make tough choices—and so do students.
youtube.com
Pell Grant Funding 101
Today, nearly a third of undergraduate students receive a Pell Grant to help pay for college—the main source of federal support for low- to moderate-income c...
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way @thirdway.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Third Way open memo to 2028 Dem hopefuls in @politico.com: Reject the Pledges "We must never again let our candidates fall prey to the siren song of far-left groups who claim, without evidence, to speak for our coalition and offer a path to the nomination." thirdway.org/memo/why-dem...
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Jeremy Bauer-Wolf @jbeowulf.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
New: The Biden administration warned colleges that companies that work with them to create online programs can’t represent themselves as part of the institution. Doing so could constitute misrepresentation and could lead to their financial aid access being revoked. www.newamerica.org/education-po...
newamerica.org
The Education Department Acts on OPMs: Misleading Students About Online Degrees Could Cost Colleges Their Federal Aid
The U.S. Department of Education says online program managers cannot represent themselves as part of the college they are marketing.
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
This is my bi-annual reminder for any #highered faculty teaching higher Education policy this spring: I'm happy to come and chat about federal higher education policy, public opinion polling in higher education, or career pathways outside of the academy. Contact info in my bio!
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Prof Dynarski @dynarski.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
A wonderful outcome would be that this enormously consequential data error leads Congress to finally repeal the unit record data ban
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
This is my bi-annual reminder for any #highered faculty teaching higher Education policy this spring: I'm happy to come and chat about federal higher education policy, public opinion polling in higher education, or career pathways outside of the academy. Contact info in my bio!
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Another way to define the institutional argument? Delay, deny, defend. The article says it best: “It’s a delaying tactic that they hope is going to work in their favor. Even in the most perfect circumstance, the same arguments would be made.” www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
insidehighered.com
Colleges ask for a third gainful employment extension
The leading lobbying group for colleges says the upcoming change in administration necessitates relief from the Jan. 15 due date. So far, the department isn’t budging.
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Taylor Odle @taylorodle.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Excellent new report from @brookings.edu's Sarah Reber synthesizing evidence on what we know (and what we should do) supporting students to and through college. Check it out! www.brookings.edu/articles/sup...
brookings.edu
Supporting students to and through college: What does the evidence say?
A comprehensive analysis of evidence from over two decades of research on interventions designed to increase college access and completion.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
A must-read, via @welcomepac.bsky.social: www.welcomestack.org/p/the-explic...
welcomestack.org
The Explicit Politics of Evasion
Progressives pitch a policy of dodging hard questions & denying electoral reality.
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Third Way Education @thirdwayedu.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
TOMORROW: Join Brookings to hear from Michelle Dimino and other higher ed experts on college completion. Register here:
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Supporting students to and through college: What does the evidence say?
10:30 am EST - 11:40 am EST
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Obviously, that was an issue for UGA, so I was graciously "reclassified" to a new salary of $47,476.01. Why the .01? The FLSA overtime exemption ended at $47,476. So, with that quick salary bump, I was now eligible to work 40+ hours per week again. Higher ed will always higher ed.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Speaking from experience, UGA went through with FLSA back in 2017. I went from exempt, making ~$37K/year to non-exempt--with only the director of our office being exempt. Since UGA wouldn't pay overtime, I accrued time off at a time and a half rate, meaning I took a lot of (arguably deserved) leave.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
I get that budgets are tight--but these same admins taking back raises that they were legally forced to give--are likely the same ones questioning staff disengagement and retention. Keep in mind, these raises were going to staff making less than $35,000 a year. www.chronicle.com/article/afte...
chronicle.com
After Handing Out Pay Raises, Ohio State U. Claws Them Back
The change came after a federal judge struck down the Department of Labor’s overtime rule, saying it was an overreach. Other colleges could follow suit.
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Eddy Conroy @econroy.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Updated with recent arrivals from the higher Ed policy and advocacy space. go.bsky.app/4ikmJ3T
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Travis T. York, Ph.D. (he/they) @travisyork.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Energized & Excited for TODAY’s Presidential Session “The Role of Intermediary Public Policy Organizations in Translating Research into Policy During Turbulent Times” at 2:30pm #ASHE2024. I’ll be joined by @bencecil.bsky.social Wil Del Pilar, Tia McNair, @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social, & Bryan Cook.
Picture from agenda with session details: “The Role of Intermediary Public Policy Organizations in Translating Research into Policy During Turbulent Times” at 2:30pm on 11/21 in Minneapolis Ballroom Salon G.
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Becca Carballo @beccacarballo.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
The FAFSA deadline bill, which mandates an Oct. 1 launch date, heads to the President’s desk subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024...
subscriber.politicopro.com
POLITICO Pro: FAFSA deadline bill heads to president's desk
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Eddy Conroy @econroy.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
The Third Way higher ed team is arriving on BlueSky, so added some new folks to this starter pack. #EduSky go.bsky.app/4ikmJ3T
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
That’s the big goal.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Southern blood isn’t built for this!
Weather forecast indicating snow and cold temperatures in Minneapolis.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Some food for thought as we move forward: www.welcomestack.org/p/embracing-...
welcomestack.org
Embracing Balance
GOP attacks on progressive litmus tests succeeded in silence. A leading advocate on why Democrats must counter within the complexity.
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Eddy Conroy @econroy.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
🧵 1/n The Institute of Education Sciences is out with a report an experimental sites program that allowed the use of Pell grants for very short programs 8-10 weeks. A couple of takeaways include... #EduSky #FaChat #HigherEdPolicy ies.ed.gov/ncee/pubs/20...
ies.ed.gov
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
All of that to say, I'm excited to connect here and be more engaged than I was on Twitter. If you'll be at ASHE in Minneapolis next week, I'd love to connect--happy to talk policy, what it's like to work in the D.C.-based higher ed circuit, or the non-academic job search for those interested.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
I came to a think tank by way of student affairs. Much like others, COVID burned me out (long story), and I left a mid-manager job for a fellowship at ACE, which then led me to Third Way. I did a hard career pivot and ended up somewhere great that I couldn't have imagined when I began my Ph.D.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
In my day-to-day, I write a lot of policy memos, talk with Hill staffers and the press, and work to make the case about why higher ed matters and how we can keep shoring up value in the minds of policymakers and American voters. You can learn more about my work here: www.thirdway.org/about/staff/...
thirdway.org
Third Way
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
What does that mean, you ask? I advocate for, write about, and think deeply about federal policies that, in the aggregate, make sure students who go to college complete it, reap its socioeconomic benefits, and come out on the other side better than if they hadn't gone to college at all.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
I got online today to a lot of new followers--I'm excited to engage with many of you online and talk all things federal higher ed policy. A brief intro: Currently, I am a Senior Education Policy Advisor at Third Way, a national center-left public policy think tank in Washington, D.C.
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Reposted by Ben Cecil
Eddy Conroy @econroy.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Thread for a starter pack of Higher Ed Starter Packs Higher Ed policy policy pros and orgs bsky.app/starter-pack... Higher Ed researchers bsky.app/starter-pack... Higher Ed reporters and contributors bsky.app/starter-pack... #EduSky #HigherEd #Education #AcademicChatter
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Eddy Conroy @econroy.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Ben and I will both be part of this session, so please come say hi!
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Don't see it if you did, but you also may need to teach me how to Bluesky in Minneapolis 👨‍🦳
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Add me, please! I’m trying to get off the ground over here. TW EDU isn’t over here yet.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
I'm happy to connect with anyone at ASHE who may be interested in discussing how to get your research in front of federal policymakers or those looking to get a feel for what post-Ph.D. life can look like outside of the academy—and where to look for jobs in research, policy, or advocacy.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Beyond CPPHE, I'll be on an ASHE Presidential Session Thursday afternoon on how public policy organizations translate research into policy and advocacy. Now more than ever, a nuanced picture of the policy ecosystem is needed for academic researchers to understand avenues for effective advocacy.
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Ben Cecil @bencecil.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
If you'll be at ASHE next week in Minneapolis, I hope you'll join me at the CPPHE Pre-Conference on Wednesday. I'll be facilitating an interactive symposium on how public opinion research used by policymakers and advocates can inform academic research.
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