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Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

By: Jeff Selingo Michael Horn
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 Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn discuss what’s next for higher education and talk with the newsmakers you want to hear from most. Find the latest news and insights into the current trends in higher ed on the Future U. Podcast.2024 Future U Podcast Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Why a University Proactively Sought a Merger

    Why a University Proactively Sought a Merger
    Oct 7 2025

    Mergers and acquisitions are usually seen as bad things in higher ed. But there’s a growing sense that many colleges could benefit by teaming up, especially as the fiscal cliff means fewer potential students. Jeff and Michael continue to dive into their fascination with M&A by talking to Walter Iwanenko Jr, the president of Gannon University in Erie, Pa., about how and why the institution sought a merger with Ursuline College near Cleveland. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group

    Publications Mentioned:

    “Two North Carolina universities announced a merger. Why some alumni are pushing back,” in USA Today.

    “A Midwest Merger: How Two Ohio Colleges Are Coming Together,” from Future U, season 8.

    Chapters

    3:42 - Why Mergers and Acquisitions Are Increasingly Important In HIgher Ed

    6:15 - What Led Gannon University to Look for a Merger?

    9:30 - What Gannon University Hoped For in a Partner

    13:01 - How Gannon University Found Ursuline College

    16:21 - What’s Stopping More Colleges From Seeking Mergers?

    21:36 - Learning From Other Mergers That Failed

    23:04 - What Should Change to Help More Mergers Happen?

    27:02 - Sponsor Break

    29:00 - How to Change the Perception of M&A in Higher Ed

    35:46 - Finding the Right Leadership

    38:30 - What is the Trump Administration’s Stance on Making College Mergers Easier?

    41:08 - Lightning Round

    Connect with Michael Horn:

    Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

    Website

    LinkedIn

    X (Twitter)

    Threads

    Connect with Jeff Selingo:

    Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You

    Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

    Website

    X (Twitter)

    Threads

    LinkedIn

    Connect with Future U:

    Twitter

    YouTube

    Threads

    Instagram

    Facebook

    LinkedIn

    Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!

    Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Reporters Roundtable: How Trump Is Shaking Up Higher Ed

    Reporters Roundtable: How Trump Is Shaking Up Higher Ed
    Sep 23 2025
    We’re bringing back a favorite format to go behind the headlines with top beat reporters covering colleges. Our latest roundtable focuses on how the Trump administration’s many executive orders, research grant cancellations, and crackdowns on international students are changing the higher ed landscape in the U.S. and globally. Jeff and Michael are joined by reporters from The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, and The Chronicle of Higher Education to hear their insights and analysis. This episode made with support from Ascendium Education Group.Chapters0:00 - Introducing the Reporters in the Roundtable4:10 - How the Trump Administration Picks Which Colleges to Target?8:36 - A Shift from Ivies to SEC Schools11:01 - How the Campus Mood Is Different at Mizzou Than at Harvard13:05 - What’s New With International Students on Campus14:55 - Will International Education Decline Globally?17:17 - The Impact of International Student Decline on Colleges’ Bottom Lines19:07 - How Much Has International Enrollment Declined?20:55 - Will International Students Fear Returning Home for the Summer?22:24 - Sponsor Break22:36 - Lessons from the Santa Ono Bid to Lead University of Florida26:50 - Divide Between Red State and Blue State Universities29:25 - Will Trump Changes to Higher Ed Stick?35:38 - Predicting How the Supreme Court Will Rule on Harvard Case37:13 - Lightning RoundPublications Mentioned:"Universities in Red States and Heartland May Be Winners as Ivy League Contends with Trump Onslaught," by Hilary Burns in The Boston Globe“Trump Administration’s Cuts to Harvard Funding Are Unconstitutional, Judge Rules,” by Doug Belkin in The Wall Street Journal"Even as Classes Begin, Some Foreign Students Are Still in Visa Limbo,” by Karin Fischer in The Chronicle of Higher Education.Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education NewsletterWebsiteLinkedInX (Twitter)Threads Connect with Jeff Selingo:Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for YouSign Up for the Next NewsletterWebsiteX (Twitter)ThreadsLinkedInConnect with Future U:TwitterYouTubeThreadsInstagramFacebookLinkedIn Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Redefining the ‘Dream School’

    Redefining the ‘Dream School’
    Sep 9 2025

    In this era of uncertainty, many parents view highly-selective colleges as the best bet for their student’s futures. In his new book just out this month, Future U co-host Jeff Selingo challenges that assumption. For this episode, Jeff moves from the host chair to being a guest to share highlights from the book, ‘Dream School.’ He talks about going beyond which college’s name looks most impressive as a bumper sticker on the family car to focusing on the quality of a college’s teaching, whether it really fits the budget, and other factors that are specific to each student. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group.

    Relevant Links:

    Jeff Selingo’s new book, Dream School

    Chapters

    0:00 - Intro
    2:06 - Why write this book?
    3:23 - The ‘New Dream School’ List
    11:28 - When Mismatched Schools Cause Dropouts
    14:26 - Sponsor Break
    16:51 - The Importance of Making Trade-offs
    18:44 - Understanding What’s Motivating Choice
    19:35 - How AI is Impacting Jobs and Causing Uncertainty About College
    20:56 - What Should Colleges Do?
    23:23 - Giving Families ‘Social Proof’ of a Broader Group of College
    25:29 - The Doom Loop of College Finances
    27:56 - How Future U Shaped the Book
    29:14 - How Jeff Gets the Word Out on His Book

    Connect with Michael Horn:

    Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

    Website

    LinkedIn

    X (Twitter)

    Threads

    Connect with Jeff Selingo:

    Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You

    Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

    Website

    X (Twitter)

    Threads

    LinkedIn

    Connect with Future U:

    Twitter

    YouTube

    Threads

    Instagram

    Facebook

    LinkedIn

    Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!

    Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
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