The New Extension Service: Urban and Urbane

The 98-year-old program, designed to bring university research to farmers, is adapting its mission for city folks.

The Sudden Fall and Public Reinvention of Dinesh D'Souza

Among fellow conservatives, detractors of the former college president say his quest to be a public intellectual sacrifices the intellectual for the sake of the public.

'Social Reading' Projects Bring Commentary Into the Text

A professor of media and culture at New York University designs an online version of "Utopia" that anyone can annotate.

Diversity Bolsters Critical-Thinking Skills, Studies Find

Research presented at a meeting of scholars of higher education found that students benefit from encounters with diversity on campuses and in course work.

In Iowa, an Extension Agent Works to Revive a Faded City

Himar Hernández's responsibilities include establishing a variety of leadership, diversity, and small-business programs across the eastern half of the state.

Fielding Farmers' Questions, Including Some They Don't Asl

Denise Schwab, an extension agent for Iowa State U. who specializes in beef, has learned to be a careful listener.

Apprenticeships Make a Comeback

Inspired by Germany's model, states are encouraging community colleges and manufacturers to work together on training programs.

Partnerships Give Skills for Work, and a Confidence Boost

The president of South Carolina's Tri-County Technical College, which places interns with local manufacturers, says an explicit vocational focus can lead to more education,...

Is That a Valid Use of Ferpa? The Student Press Law Center Is Watching

Colleges' use of the federal privacy law to withhold information has grown far too broad, says the advocacy group, which is fighting back.

On the Path to College, Some Detours Are Desirable

Not every high-school graduate is ready for college at 18. By promoting that choice, we leave those students at risk of dropping out, in debt, with little direction, writes...

Carnegie Leader Calls for Presidential Commission to Guide Higher Education's Future

Vartan Gregorian envisions a panel of esteemed figures that will show how all kinds of colleges can work together to serve society.

Homeland Security Dept. Moves to Tighten Rules on Student Visas

The changes could affect conditional admissions, a popular recruitment tool for American colleges that are trying to attract foreign students.

New Director of Anthropology Assn. Comes From Nonprofit Research Company

Edward Liebow is a cultural anthropologist who works on health and social-science issues for Battelle in Seattle.

For-Profit's President Beckons Students to the 'Door of Opportunity'

Michael Plater, with a background in two economic worlds, identifies with the working students that Strayer University attracts.

Former University Chief Explains What Drew Him to a 2-Year College

If you care about economic development and access, says Mark Erickson, the best place to be is a community college.

Selected New Books on Higher Education

Transitions: Law Dean Becomes Vice Provost for Online Education; UConn Gets New Communications Chief

Paul S. Berman will go from law dean to leader of academic innovation at George Washington University. Read about that and other job-related news.

Lincoln at the Movies

Steven Spielberg rehumanizes an icon, and rescues political hope from cynicism.

Philosophy's Strain of Unevolved Thinking

A physicist's recent philosophy bashing is unfair. But truth to tell, there may be something to his critique.

The Stranger Who Resembles Us: Camus at 100

The political legacy of the French author, born almost a century ago, remains volatile.

Poetic Reflections in the Dark

When the words of another become your own, they gain a transcendental power.

The Making of a Philosophy Professor

There's no better professional preparation than a childhood considering the meaninglessness of life.

A Million Men With Teaspoons

An archaeologist considers what ancient feats of hydraulic engineering might teach us about how to handle our water-scarce future.

How Scholars Can Improve International Relations

The president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation says academics should be less arcane and more willing to provide practical expertise.

To Make Better Decisions, Break Some Boundaries

New methods of leadership are emerging in higher education to respond more effectively to the dislocating elements of change. It's about time.

End the Charade: Let Athletes Major in Sports

Musicians can major in performance, even though they may not succeed professionally. Why not extend that same option to football players?

In the Thick of It

A Ph.D. candidate on the market battles antiquated online application systems and dossier services on the fritz.