higher education

Weekend reads: Medicaid at long last, an environmental win, and reining in social media’s sway

BY: - December 3, 2023

More people in NC will have health insurance on Dec. 1, but there’s more to do to improve access By Lynn Bonner North Carolina will reach a milestone Dec. 1 when an estimated 600,000 low-income people become eligible to enroll in health insurance under Medicaid expansion. North Carolina is the 40th state to expand Medicaid […]

Dr. Kimblerly van Noort

UNC System Board of Governors elects next chancellor of UNC-Asheville

BY: - November 29, 2023

Kimberly van Noort was elected the ninth chancellor of UNC-Asheville Wednesday, by unanimous vote of the UNC System Board of Governors. She will begin the new role Jan. 1 with an annual base salary of $300,000. Additional incentive compensation based on performance markers could raise her earnings to twice that amount. UNC System President Peter […]

An aerial view of the campus of UNC-Asheville.

UNC System Board of Governors to choose new UNC-Asheville chancellor in special meeting

BY: - November 28, 2023

The UNC System Board of Governors will meet in a special virtual session Wednesday to approve a new chancellor for UNC-Asheville. The board’s Committee on University Personnel will meet in closed session at 10:30 a.m. followed by a meeting of the full board at 11 a.m. Both meetings will be livestreamed through the PBS North […]

Monday numbers: UNC-Wilmington’s $4.1 million penalty

BY: - November 20, 2023

The UNC System Board of Governors voted last week to fine UNC-Wilmington $4.1 million for exceeding its out-of-state student enrollment cap two years in a row. The penalty is the largest since 1986, when the system implemented the cap to ensure campuses in the 16-university system would prioritize North Carolinians in enrollment. Now the Board […]

A photo of the UNC-CH bell tower.

Weekend reads: The value of a degree, Chancellor eyes future, voter rolls look different and more

BY: - November 19, 2023

New study looks at “return on investment” of a UNC System education By Joe Killian Politically controversial, the study seeks to demonstrate the monetary value of higher education A controversial report on the “return on investment” of a UNC System education is on its way to the North Carolina General Assembly, which required the system […]

Faculty members surprised, concerned as UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor weighs exit

BY: - November 17, 2023

Members of the UNC-Chapel Hill faculty were blindsided by this week’s revelation that Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz is weighing leaving the university to become president of Michigan State University. As faculty members, staff, students and alumni await his decision, they are anticipating a difficult and politically fraught search process for Carolina’s next leader. “This came as […]

A committee of the UNC System Board of Governors met Wednesday to discuss the return on investment report. (Photo: Joe Killian)

New study looks at “return on investment” of a UNC System education

BY: - November 16, 2023

A controversial report on the “return on investment” of a UNC System education is on its way to the North Carolina General Assembly, which required the system to study the issue two years ago. Key findings from the 80-page report, discussed Wednesday by the UNC System Board of Governors: North Carolinians who receive bachelor’s degrees […]

Kevin Guskiewicz

UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor “weighing” presidency at Michigan State

BY: and - November 16, 2023

This is a developing story. Kevin Guskiewicz could soon be the latest UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor to leave the university for a job in another state. Guskiewicz, who’s served as chancellor in Chapel Hill since early 2019, said in a statement released today by the school that he is “weighing” the opportunity to become president of […]

Student debt relief activists rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court

Attempt to kill Biden student debt relief plan tied to income fails in U.S. Senate

BY: - November 16, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday night failed to garner enough votes to block a new Biden administration rule on an income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans. The resolution did not pass, 49-50. Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia was the sole Democrat who joined Republicans in backing the resolution. Sen. Tim […]

A graph illustrating the percentage of university and college students who are parents by type of institution.

NC lawmaker proposes U.S. House bill to help college students with children graduate

BY: - November 9, 2023

Nearly a quarter of undergraduate university and college students are parents, but as they struggle to balance academic and family responsibilities, they are graduating at dramatically lower rates than students without children. U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) and U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07) are looking to change that with a bill filed Thursday, part of […]

college graduates hold their diplomas

Borrowers weigh personal, professional options as student loan payments resume

BY: - November 1, 2023

Justin Brown, a father of a 2-year-old who lives with his wife in the St. Louis, Missouri area, has $20,000 in student loan debt. Before the pause on loan payments at the start of the pandemic in 2020, he paid $300 a month. But now that Brown has a family, his financial responsibilities have grown […]

A photo of UNCG's campus in Greensboro.

UNCG students rally against tuition and fee hikes, possible program cuts

BY: - October 19, 2023

Students facing proposed tuition and fee hikes will rally on the UNC Greensboro campus Thursday to protest a proposal they say is balancing the school’s budget on the backs of its out-of-state students. The demonstration will begin on the steps of the Jackson Library at 3:30 p.m. The demonstration is a prelude to a Friday […]