Episodes

2 hours ago
2 hours ago
Anxiety and depression are on the rise among college students driven, in part, by pressures to balance academics with personal, economic and family responsibilities. In this episode of The Key, Inside Higher Ed’s news and analysis podcast, two mental health leaders talk about how the current political climate and economic uncertainty are exacerbating the existing mental health challenges on campuses.
Tara Harper, assistant vice president for student wellbeing and clinical operations at Lincoln University and Seli Fakorzi, director of mental health operations at TimelyCare, join IHE’s editor in chief Sara Custer to discuss what colleges are doing to address rising symptoms of anxiety and depression among students and how they’re keeping everyone safe and healthy during a time of great upheaval.
Thank you to Timely Care for sponsoring this episode.

Wednesday May 28, 2025
Ep. 158: Voices of Student Success: Teaching Practical Life Skills
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
This season of Voices of Student Success, “Preparing Gen Z for Unknown Futures,” addresses challenges in readying young people for the next chapter of their lives in the face of large-scale global changes.
A workshop series at George Mason University in Virginia helps build students’ practical knowledge and well-being by giving them life advice and skills, such as how to change a tire. The program was created by Ethan Carter, associate director of programs, well-being and assessment, and supported by graduate student assistant Dianna Phillips, who talk about the logistics of delivering the workshops and how they support student success.
Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader.

Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025

Wednesday May 14, 2025
Ep. 156: Voices of Student Success: Learning to Talk With Strangers
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
This season of Voices of Student Success, “Preparing Gen Z for Unknown Futures,” addresses challenges in readying young people for the next chapter of their lives in the face of large-scale global changes. Encouraging students to engage with people who they disagree with can be a challenge for many in higher education. A class at the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies put students on a train to crisscross the nation, encouraging them to speak across differences and engage in unfamiliar places and spaces.
Sarah Federman, associate professor of conflict resolution, spoke about her class and the trip, as well as some of the lessons she learned about engaging students in constructive dialogue.
Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader.

Thursday May 08, 2025
Ep. 155: What's Going on With College Athletics (and Why You Should Care)
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
Whether you’re a die-hard fan, sports curios or someone who sees college athletics as a very expensive distraction, you should know about the fundamental changes to NCAA policies because they will have profound impacts on institutions, students and even the future of U.S. Olympic teams.
To help us make sense of the latest developments including name, image and likeness earnings, the transfer portal and the $2.8 billion anti-trust House settlement, Inside Higher Ed’s editor in chief Sara Custer speaks to Karen Weaver, an adjunct assistant professor in the graduate school of education at the University of Pennsylvania where she teaches higher education leaders about the role that college athletics will play as it evolves into a very different governance and financial model. She’s also a former athletic director and coach of 30 years.
This episode is sponsored by the Strada Education Foundation

Thursday May 01, 2025
Ep. 154: How Trump’s First 100 Days Changed Higher Ed
Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
Inside Higher Ed’s editor in chief, Sara Custer, speaks with IHE’s news editor Katherine Knott and reporters Liam Knox and Johanna Alonso about the executive orders, funding cuts and visa revocations of the last three months that have sent shockwaves through the higher education sector.

Thursday May 01, 2025
Ep. 153: Voices of Student Success: Graduates Face a Challenging Job Market
Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
This season of Voices of Student Success, “Preparing Gen Z for Unknown Futures,” addresses challenges in readying young people for the next chapter of their lives in the face of large-scale global changes.
The latest episode, featuring Handshake’s chief educational officer Christine Cruzvergara, discusses the current job market, graduating seniors’ perceptions of launching their careers and the role higher education can play in supporting students.
Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader.

Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Ep. 152: Higher Ed Now and What's Next
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Thursday Apr 24, 2025

Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
Ep. 151: Voices of Student Success: Navigating Students’ Digital Addictions
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
This season of Voices of Student Success, “Preparing Gen Z for Unknown Futures,” addresses challenges in readying young people for the next chapter of their lives in the face of large-scale global changes. The latest episode addresses how digitalization has made it easier for young people to engage in unhealthy habits, including substance abuse, pathological gambling or social media addiction, compared to past generations.
Amaura Kemmerer, director of clinical affairs for Uwill, discusses the role of preventive health measures and how existing research can provide a roadmap for addressing new challenges.
Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader.

Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Ep. 150: Can civil engagement work be measured?
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Many college leaders turned to civil discourse and dialogue programs in response to students protests that roiled campuses after the start of the Israel Hamas war. It’s work that they have been doing for decades, but a big question around these programs is: how do we know they’re working?
That question led to Raj Vinnakota, president of the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, an 80-year old non-profit that works with leaders in higher education, business and philanthropy to equip young people with the skills they need to be engaged citizens.
In 2023, the institute launched its College Presidents for Civic Preparedness initiative and its membership has grown to over 120 leaders from 2 and 4-year institutions in 35 states. Part of its mission is to develop ways to assess and measure the level of civil discourse and critical thinking on campuses.
In this interview, Raj talks with Sara Custer, editor in chief at Inside Higher Ed, about the grassroots beginnings of the program and how creating language around the concepts of free speech and open inquiry is important for engaging with stakeholders on both sides of the political divide.
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