Adrianna Kezar in The Washington Post: College faculty called on to aid floundering students

Pullias co-director Adrianna Kezar was quoted in The Washington Post about how more college professors are being called on to “help head off problems that can derail students”: The faculty’s inexperience in addressing students’ nonacademic problems stems from the evolution of American higher education, said Adrianna Kezar, a professor of higher education at the University of Southern California who studies the issue. […]

Continue Reading

Scaling change in higher education: A guide for stakeholder groups

A new Pullias Center publication shows external groups how to effectively support change and reform in higher education Two months ago, the Pullias Center for Higher Education and the Association of American Universities (AAU) jointly released “Scaling Improvement in STEM Learning Environments: The Strategic Role of a National Organization,” a report assessing AAU’s efforts to reforms of undergraduate STEM teaching and learning on a national level […]

Continue Reading

Changing the face of STEM PhD programs

Pullias’ Julie Posselt leads research in 24-campus effort to increase diversity in physics and astronomy A new $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation aims to dramatically increase diversity in physics and astronomy. Called the Cal-Bridge program, the project creates a pathway for students from underrepresented groups at 15 California State University campuses to PhD programs in physics and astronomy at nine […]

Continue Reading

New research: Supporting marginalized students, from gang-affiliated youth to first-gen PhD candidates

Recent works by Pullias researchers tackle complex issues in education, from engaging gang-associated youth in schools by valuing the knowledge and skills they already possess to effectively mentoring PhD students from historically excluded and marginalized groups. In addition, a new working paper explores how students from racial minority groups are more likely to be placed in developmental math courses due […]

Continue Reading

College-going culture in a digital era

A new report shows what high schools can do to encourage students to pursue college aspirations. High schools today have a unique challenge: to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to prepare for, apply to and enroll in college—all while proving them with digital resources and skills essential for the 21st century. To help high schools best […]

Continue Reading

William G. Tierney in EdSource: California’s next governor has opportunity to set a bold new higher education agenda

This op-ed, authored by Pullias Center co-director William G. Tierney, was originally published in EdSource on Sep. 20, 2018. The next governor of California has will have two primary responsibilities: uphold economic productivity and lay the foundation for a more prosperous California. And he could accomplish both in one fell swoop — by setting ambitious higher education goals. The connection between economic […]

Continue Reading

Julie Posselt in Inside Higher Ed: Renewed Debate About GRE

Pullias faculty member Julie Posselt was quoted in Inside Higher Ed  about the University of Pennsylvania philosophy program’s decision to drop its GRE requirement: Julie R. Posselt, assistant professor of higher education at the University of Southern California, is the author of Inside Graduate Admissions. She has urged departments to carefully consider whether they need testing, and whether they are using tests appropriately. […]

Continue Reading

William G. Tierney in Inside Higher Ed: Why University Presidents Are (and Aren’t) Losing Their Jobs

This op-ed, authored by Pullias Center co-director William G. Tierney, was originally published in Inside Higher Ed on Sep. 12, 2018. Over the last few years, a startling number of college and university presidents have suddenly lost their jobs. The trustees and faculty members at Pennsylvania State University, Michigan State University and, most recently, the University of Southern California have all seen their presidents resign. Other […]

Continue Reading

Gamifying the college experience

Pullias Center researchers debut an innovative digital initiative to bolster first-year persistence at CSU Dominguez Hills. Incoming students at California State University Dominguez Hills have an extra incentive to stay in school this year: a chance to earn fun and useful prizes. A new campaign called Toros Charge On rewards students for taking small actions to learn about successful college-going […]

Continue Reading

Network forms to bolster equity in STEM graduate education

The initiative brings together USC Rossier and more than two dozen professional and academic organizations By Ross Brenneman Research shows that participation by underrepresented groups in the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines plummets between undergraduate and graduate studies. A new project looks to take a comprehensive approach to addressing issues that hinder the participation and success of underrepresented students. […]

Continue Reading