A New Chapter for Higher Ed Watch

Dear Higher Ed Watch readers,

I am happy to report that I have returned to New America and Higher Ed Watch. Last November I left New America and joined the extraordinary think tank Education Sector. It was a tremendous opportunity and experience, but my one regret was leaving the blog behind.

After all, when I arrived at New America in 2007, Higher Ed Watch was just getting off the ground. Over the years, our reporting, analysis, and commentary helped spur policymakers to overhaul the federal student loan programs, take positive steps to protect the most vulnerable students from predatory lenders and schools, and investigate widespread abuses in the for-profit higher education sector.

So I am very excited to get Higher Ed Watch up and running again. But I am even more excited to have a fantastic group of colleagues working with me on this endeavor.

Starting this week, our regular contributors will include Education Policy Program director Kevin Carey, deputy director for higher education Amy Laitinen, education policy analyst Rachel Fishman, federal education budget expert Jason Delisle, and, of course, myself. Our new contributors bring a tremendous amount of expertise in the areas our readers care most about – such as college access and completion, accountability, and affordability. The diversity of voices should enrich and enliven Higher Ed Watch, and greatly expand the range of issues the blog covers. Plus, anyone who has followed Kevin’s writings in the Quick & the Ed, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The New Republic, and elsewhere know how excited we are to have him writing for the blog.

This is an exciting new chapter for Higher Ed Watch. We hope you will join us for the ride.