Lumina Foundation

What happens to students when the systems designed to support them suddenly disappear? The PBS docuseries "The Class" followed a college advisor and his high school students during the 2020-21 school year as they navigated the pandemic-disrupted, uncertain world of college admissions. Actor and musician Daveed Diggs, one of the series' executive producers, said students needed to figure out how to "scrape by without people" during the COVID-19 lockdown and build a community—even though they couldn't be together in person. "Community is really important and it can go away. We take it for granted and it's already been snatched away from us once and we should be also protecting that better."

Most Americans believe college is too expensive—but still worth it. That’s the paradox at the heart of Lumina Foundation’s 2025 State of Higher Education study with Gallup. While only 18 percent of adults without degrees think four-year college costs are fair, 70 percent say a degree holds real value. They’re right—education beyond high school still opens doors to good jobs and better pay. But rising costs and outdated programs are eroding trust. It’s time for higher ed to adapt: lower costs, align with careers, and offer more flexible options. The belief in college is still strong. Now, we have to make it work.

In partnership with #Republican polling firm GS Creative Strategy, the Third Way think tank released new data on what Republican voters want for #highered, including their views on policies under consideration. The national survey of Republican voters found they view colleges favorably and see the value of higher education, support affordability measures, and want stronger guardrails to protect students and taxpayers from bad actors. Watch the video to learn more. #highereducation #collegesanduniversities #collegeaffordability #consumerprotection #higheredvalue

Lumina's Jasmine Haywood, Ph.D., pointed to three significant factors in ensuring student success in college: engagement, support, and a sense of belonging. During a recent episode of the "Office Hours" podcast, she chatted with Southern Illinois University System President Daniel Mahony about how, if students feel connected to their environments, they'll persist at a higher rate. ? "Institutions that create inclusive and affirming environments will see stronger student outcomes because students feel valued and they feel capable of achieving those goals both inside and outside of the classroom," she said during the conversation with SIU Carbondale student Lidell L. Miller and Sova Solutions' Alison Kadlec. ? Listen to the full episode about strategies, financial barriers and perceptions, and inclusive education:

Fast Company named Press Forward one of the Most Innovative Companies of 2025, a recognition that highlights the critical need for reliable, non-partisan local journalism. Since 2005, the U.S. has lost nearly 2,900 newspapers and 43,000 journalists, leaving half the country with little to no local news access. Press Forward is working to change that with a $500 million-plus commitment to strengthen local journalism and help newsrooms survive and grow. This work empowers journalists to find new ways to connect people with trustworthy, community-focused stories, from Indigenous-led reporting programs to Spanish-language news via WhatsApp. We're proud to help support this vital work in ensuring communities stay informed—because a strong local press means a strong democracy.

At SXSW EDU earlier this month, Lumina's Courtney Brown led a discussion about the value of higher education with Kim Hunter Reed, Ph.D., Louisiana’s Commissioner of Higher Education; Gallup's Stephanie Marken; and William Serrata, El Paso Community College District president. The panel acknowledged that although confidence in higher education is slipping, most Americans still believe in its value. The challenge is showing that college is worth the cost and that credentials have value in the workforce—and it must be affordable. At Lumina Foundation, we’re working to make higher education more accessible and aligned with workforce needs.

The U.S. Department of Education plays a vital role in ensuring educational opportunity. Yet, this week’s mass layoffs have severely weakened its ability to serve students, families, and educators, writes Michelle Asha Cooper, Lumina vice president for public policy and former deputy undersecretary for the Education Department. The cuts hit essential offices—and it’s a direct threat to students’ futures.

Five years after the pandemic, we're only beginning to understand the ramifications on students during that time. ? Higher education is life-changing, but the path isn’t easy for many students. The Class, a six-part documentary filmed during the 2020-21 school year, follows seniors at Deer Valley High School navigating their college dreams in a pandemic year. With the guidance of a dedicated college adviser, they push past barriers, proving that determination and support can change lives. ? Don’t miss this powerful story from executive producers Daveed Diggs and Nicole Hurd, PhD and award-winning filmmakers Jaye Fenderson and Adam Fenderson. ? Stream The Class on PBS starting March 18.?#TheClassPBS https://lnkd.in/gtUkfQKr

The Journalist's Resource, supported by the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, offers this great resource for #journalists covering #highereducation with an interest in #MSIs, including #HBCUs, #HSIs, and #TribalColleges. These tipsheets are excellent guides to various topics, including the U.S. Department of Education, #highered databases, #university #research, #DEI, and #mentalhealth.

At our final live podcast episode at SXSW, we explored higher education’s role in climate action. Is it the responsibility of colleges and universities to lead the fight against climate change? Our panelists argued that higher ed is uniquely positioned to drive solutions, from research and innovation to policy advocacy and workforce development. “When it hits your community, it hits everything,” said Tessa LeSage, chief impact officer at Collaboratory. Alex McBride, senior program officer at Waverley Street Foundation, joined Tessa for this conversation exploring how universities can equip students for green jobs, ensure climate research influences policy, and build trust in climate science amid rising misinformation. The discussion also touched on how to prepare students for sustainable careers and the rise of the “disaster economy” in communities hit hardest by climate change. Higher education isn’t just a participant in climate action—it must be a leader. #SXSW #SXSWEDU #SXSW25 #SXSWEDU25 #SXSW2025 #SXSWEDU2025