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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

You can get Hot Takes on higher ed anywhere. But for What is Actually Happening in the policy chaos of Washington, you need Fansmith, Spreitzer and Gunja. Today 2 pm: season premiere of dotEDU! P.S.: #HigherEdBuildsAmerica www.acenet.edu/Pages/dotedu...

acenet.edu

ACE's dotEDU Podcast

Join our hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer as they delve into the policy aspects of issues that impact campuses, students, and higher education leaders.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Powerful stuff from Princeton’s president on the Columbia situation. Chris Eisgruber, in The Atlantic, writes that attacks on Columbia pose “the greatest threat to American universities since the Red Scare of the 1950s. Every American should be concerned.” www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

theatlantic.com

The Cost of the Government’s Attack on Columbia

American universities have given the country prosperity and security. The Trump administration’s attack on academic freedom endangers all of that.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

At a moment of profound chaos, turmoil, and fear, ACE is standing up for higher education. We always have. We urge all friends of higher ed to join us. The moment is now. Grateful to @hechingerreport.org for publishing our view. #HigherEdBuildsAmerica

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Today I ran 13.1 in the nation’s capital for higher education. For the faculty. For the staff. Above all, for the students. If you are a friend of higher ed, now is the time to stand up. Join us. Fight for it. We at @aceducation.bsky.social are with you! #HigherEdBuildsAmerica

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

If you believe, like me, that kids not born on third base deserve a chance to go to bat and play ball in the great game of life…If you believe in the value of federal programs to support disadvantaged students…If you believe in genuine efforts to improve schools…now is the time to stand up.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

More from Mitchell: “This move … causes nothing but chaos and confusion.”

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

"We stand against antisemitism. Period. But the Trump administration’s decision last week to arbitrarily cancel some $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University is not the right way to fight hatred." -- Ted Mitchell, president of ACE www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pa...

acenet.edu

Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell Opposing the Trump Administration’s Cancellation of Grants and Contracts to Columbia University

We stand against antisemitism. Period. But the Trump administration’s decision last week to arbitrarily cancel some $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University is not the right...

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

To Chron: “They don’t have a ruling from a judge. They don’t have a finding by an administrative agency.They haven’t tried to reach a resolution.They simply started cherry-picking money that’s going to Columbia and saying,‘We’re not going to pay that.'That’s not how we do this in the United States.”

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

“The fact that the administration is choosing to simply ignore not just precedent, not just norms, but the actual law covering this should be concerning to a lot of people, not just people at Columbia.”

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

To IHE: “You don’t get to punish people just because you don’t like what they’re doing,” said Jon Fansmith, senior vice president of government relations at the American Council on Education.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Due process: It matters. It is indispensable. My colleague Jon Fansmith at @aceducation.bsky.social has a few observations about that sudden $400m cut the government imposed on Columbia U. www.insidehighered.com/news/governm... And www.chronicle.com/article/trum...

insidehighered.com

Trump admin cancels $400M in grants at Columbia U

Higher ed and free speech advocates are deeply alarmed by the decision to cancel $400 million in contracts and grants at the university, saying it is yet another example of executive overreach.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Right! Super cool. Again, I hadn't known.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Learn something every day. UVM is widely known to refer to University of Vermont. But do you know what the initials stand for? Until just now, I didn't know. I also didn't know it was founded in the 18th century (1791)

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

We also need expansive thinking about credit for prior learning. And competency-based education. And flexible modes of teaching, from in person, to online, to hybrid. Flexible course schedules. These opportunity-focused policies start with maximizing the power and reach of FAFSA.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

My view: Let's have college **opportunity** for all, at all points in life, from teenage years onward. That means all high school students filling out a FAFSA, so they know what financial aid is available. That means efficient transfer-credit policies. And more. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...

nytimes.com

Some Schools Rethink “College For All”

The idea that every student should aim for a four-year college motivated a bipartisan movement for decades. Now even enthusiastic promoters of the idea are reconsidering it.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Welcome news today from federal court in Boston: a nationwide preliminary injunction protecting biomedical research funding for colleges and universities across America. ACE (@aceducation.bsky.social) joined AAU and APLU as plaintiffs in one of the cases. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/u...

nytimes.com

Federal Judge Extends Block on N.I.H. Cuts to Research Funding

The order is a temporary reprieve for hospitals and universities who have argued that the changes sought by the National Institutes of Health would devastate their budgets.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

What goes into that snazzy smartphone? "There's not one aspect of this iPhone 16 which has not been deeply empowered and enabled by, at one point or another, some academic research activity." Watch Michael Crow of ASU make a vital point. #HigherEdBuildsAmerica www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqfk...

youtube.com

University research is the "invisible hand" in advancing innovation

YouTube video by Dr. Michael M. Crow

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

On Saturday mornings lately, feels like there’s always more to discover about what happened on Friday

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Tense times, no doubt, for higher education. But pride, not fear, is what animates colleges and universities. Chaos will not prevail. Check out your nearest campus. You’ll see. #HigherEdBuildsAmerica

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

As a reminder, we at ACE have joined forces with AAU and APLU in a suit to prevent abrupt cuts to biomedical research.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

We at ACE recently endorsed the Proud Sponsor campaign as a complement to our own messaging. More on Proud Sponsor: whycollegematters.org More on #HigherEdBuildsAmerica: www.acenet.edu/buildAmerica

ycollegematters.org

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

ALSO: Tam Powell, organizer of the Proud Sponsor campaign, tells US News: Even people without degrees themselves benefit from the "innovations and the impact that come out of our colleges and universities across the United States; safer bridges, cures for things, teachers for our children."

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

I also believe colleges and universities provide enormous value to the country regardless of choices that individuals make. "It is not about just the individual benefit. It is about the benefits of the entire society from us providing this opportunity for people." #HigherEdBuildsAmerica

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

My take is yes, but it's on us to show it. "It's an important thing for us as colleges and universities to make the case to people that years of their life and a considerable amount of effort, and for many people money, is going to pay off."

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Enjoyed talking with USNews reporter Sarah Wood on the burning question: Is College Worth the Cost? www.usnews.com/education/be...

usnews.com

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Our colleges and universities serve the entire country -- every state, region, and community. What animates their work, even amid policy chaos, is not fear but pride. They will carry on regardless of any abrupt Friday-evening pronouncement from Washington. Remember this: #HigherEdBuildsAmerica

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Reposted by Nick Anderson

Inside Higher Ed @insidehighered.com · 14/02/2025

@aceducation.bsky.social Adopts a Fighting Stance At ACE’s annual conference, higher education leaders noted that they want to find common ground with Trump—but they’re also willing to fight back as he takes aim at the sector. #HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky bit.ly/41g174E

bit.ly

ACE strikes a fighting stance at annual conference

At ACE’s annual conference, higher education leaders noted that they want to find common ground with Trump—but they’re also willing to fight back as he takes aim at the sector.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Roth and Meckler—Wonderfully insightful hour of conversation!

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Calling all college and university presidents: We need your voices! Together, we can remind our elected leaders what has always been true: #HigherEdBuildsAmerica.

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Reposted by Nick Anderson

Félix Matos Rodríguez @cunychancellor.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Representing @cuny.edu as part of "ACE (American Council on Education) on the Hill Day" connecting our higher education leaders with members of Congress. Thanks to @repdangoldman.bsky.social and @meng.house.gov for their support and interest in higher education. #ACEx2025

Rep. Dan Goldman with CUNY Chancellor Fèlix Matos Rodríguez posing with a smile, standing in front of a map

Rep. Grace Meng and CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez in an office with a view of the U.S. Capitol in the background.

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Reposted by Nick Anderson

American Council on Education @aceducation.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

“It is really incredibly important that we make our voices heard,” Fansmith tells attendees at #ACEx2025. “Representatives in Washington would prefer to hear from their own constituents,” Brown adds.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Congrats to Rio Salado College in Arizona and Windward Community College in Hawaii, recipients of this year's ACE/Fidelity Investments Institutional Transformation award. www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pa... Two community colleges, one goal: Building America #HigherEdBuildsAmerica

acenet.edu

Rio Salado College and Windward Community College Receive ACE/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation

ACE is pleased to announce that Rio Salado College and Windward Community College are the recipients of the 2025 ACE/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation.

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Reposted by Nick Anderson

American Council on Education @aceducation.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

“The change and pace is incredibly rapid.”  ACE’s Jon Fansmith provides an update on the federal policy landscape before breaking down the latest updates and considering what’s to come with ACE’s Jessie Brown. #ACEx2025

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Not rankings! Classifications. All kinds of colleges and universities doing all kinds of vital work. #HigherEdBuildsAmerica

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

“It just got real in Alabama.” Sure did. This is not a drill. The sudden and unwarranted Friday night knife attack on biomedical research funding will reverberate in states and cities across the country. Let’s hope the NIH reconsiders. #HigherEdBuildsAmerica www.al.com/news/2025/02...

al.com

Archibald: NIH cuts threaten UAB, Birmingham and beyond

NIH grants in Alabama in 2023 supported 4,769 jobs for an economic impact of $909 million and went to institutions from Mobile to Huntsville.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

There’s so much at stake. Remember: We are community colleges, liberal arts colleges, regional universities, research universities. Public and private, rural and urban, large and small. We build the workforce, economy, culture, health, national security. We are here for America. Ready to build.

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