Sara Custer
@saracuster.insidehighered.com
Editor-in-chief @insidehighered.com | Okie in DC | She/her | Human servant to greyhound Neville | #highered | #academicsky | #scifi
Reposted by Sara Custer
We're live! On the @insidehighered.bsky.social podcast w @saracuster.insidehighered.com "How Faculty Can Be Agents of Change" www.insidehighered.com/podcasts/key.... Focusing on our book "Faculties: A Dialogue on Inciting Constructive Change in Destructive Times" @dukepress.bsky.social
Ep. 215: How Faculty Can Be Agents of Change | Inside Higher Ed
In their new book, Faculties: A Dialogue on In
www.insidehighered.com
October 1, 2026 at 11:56 AM
We're live! On the @insidehighered.bsky.social podcast w @saracuster.insidehighered.com "How Faculty Can Be Agents of Change" www.insidehighered.com/podcasts/key.... Focusing on our book "Faculties: A Dialogue on Inciting Constructive Change in Destructive Times" @dukepress.bsky.social
Reposted by Sara Custer
🆕🎧 In this episode, @saracuster.insidehighered.com is joined by IHE's @cflaihe.bsky.social to discuss key findings from IHE’s 2026 survey of college and university presidents.
Later Majorie Hass, president of the @cicnotes.bsky.social, joins to discuss M&As.
Listen ➡️ https://bit.ly/4tLXJKA
Later Majorie Hass, president of the @cicnotes.bsky.social, joins to discuss M&As.
Listen ➡️ https://bit.ly/4tLXJKA
April 30, 2026 at 11:19 PM
🆕🎧 In this episode, @saracuster.insidehighered.com is joined by IHE's @cflaihe.bsky.social to discuss key findings from IHE’s 2026 survey of college and university presidents.
Later Majorie Hass, president of the @cicnotes.bsky.social, joins to discuss M&As.
Listen ➡️ https://bit.ly/4tLXJKA
Later Majorie Hass, president of the @cicnotes.bsky.social, joins to discuss M&As.
Listen ➡️ https://bit.ly/4tLXJKA
Reposted by Sara Custer
An excellent column on academics AND athletics on college campuses by @saracuster.insidehighered.com
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Path Toward Equity in Athletics Runs Through the Classroom
Amid the chaos of college sports, giving academic credit for athletic competition could return control to institutions—and show every student that their sport matters.
www.insidehighered.com
April 2, 2026 at 8:21 PM
An excellent column on academics AND athletics on college campuses by @saracuster.insidehighered.com
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
A warning from an academict: Users of Academia.edu or any online platform should read the terms and conditions carefully, particularly when it comes to AI. And users who care about accuracy, attribution and learning should delete their accounts.
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
No, I Don't Want My Article Turned into a Podcast (opinion)
Scholars who don’t want Academia.edu to use AI to generate adaptations of their work should delete their accounts.
www.insidehighered.com
March 12, 2026 at 7:09 PM
A warning from an academict: Users of Academia.edu or any online platform should read the terms and conditions carefully, particularly when it comes to AI. And users who care about accuracy, attribution and learning should delete their accounts.
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
Reposted by Sara Custer
You ever write something and there are so many parts you hope people engage with that you can't figure out which ones to quote?
I'll do a wee thread on the 3rd, and final, essay from my Red Scares series
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
I'll do a wee thread on the 3rd, and final, essay from my Red Scares series
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
The Danger of Silence When Academic Freedom Is Under Threat
Inaction from rank-and-file workers enabled government censorship during the Red Scares.
www.insidehighered.com
March 10, 2026 at 1:19 PM
You ever write something and there are so many parts you hope people engage with that you can't figure out which ones to quote?
I'll do a wee thread on the 3rd, and final, essay from my Red Scares series
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
I'll do a wee thread on the 3rd, and final, essay from my Red Scares series
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
How some libraries are becoming “third spaces” where students find belonging, tutoring and connection to community. They’re more than just a place to study. By Joshua Bay www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
UC Davis Library Emerges as Campus “Third Place”
From therapy dogs to tutoring hubs, Shields Library is redefining itself as a welcoming space for learning, connection and growth.
www.insidehighered.com
March 3, 2026 at 12:54 PM
How some libraries are becoming “third spaces” where students find belonging, tutoring and connection to community. They’re more than just a place to study. By Joshua Bay www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
Spare a thought today for the institutional researchers who are working to compile 7 years of disaggregated admissions data by March 18th. @kathrynpalmer.bsky.social reports that 81% of colleges still haven't submitted their data to the Department of Education www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Research Offices Ask for Extension on Admissions Survey
With less than a month before data is due, 81 percent of institutions recently surveyed say they are still working to collect and submit the required information.
www.insidehighered.com
March 2, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Spare a thought today for the institutional researchers who are working to compile 7 years of disaggregated admissions data by March 18th. @kathrynpalmer.bsky.social reports that 81% of colleges still haven't submitted their data to the Department of Education www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
“The whole idea was to create clarity and reassurance,” UNC Capel Hill chancellor Lee Roberts said during a Faculty Senate meeting Friday. “That policy clearly has not achieved that aim.” www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
UNC Chancellor Scraps Secret Recording Policy
Two weeks after introducing a policy that allowed administrators to secretly record faculty members during class, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill chancellor Lee Roberts told faculty he wou...
www.insidehighered.com
March 2, 2026 at 2:31 PM
“The whole idea was to create clarity and reassurance,” UNC Capel Hill chancellor Lee Roberts said during a Faculty Senate meeting Friday. “That policy clearly has not achieved that aim.” www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
After expanding access to Pell grants *twice*, Congress has not also increased the money it appropriates to the program. That's a big problem. www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
CBO: Pell Grant Facing $11.5B Shortfall
If Congress doesn’t add money to the Federal Student Aid account by Sept. 30, students could face dramatic grant cuts or eligibility restrictions.
www.insidehighered.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:05 PM
After expanding access to Pell grants *twice*, Congress has not also increased the money it appropriates to the program. That's a big problem. www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
I'm over the moon that @bakerdphd.bsky.social has come on board as an @insidehighered.com's columnist. Her smart, informed and considered voice is a welcome addition to the Opinions side of the house
It would appear I am now a columnist at Inside Higher Ed. My first piece focuses on McCarthyism, censorship, and our current moment in higher education. This is an essay I started nearly 6 months ago so I'm glad to finally share it with y'all.
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Censorship Arrives on Campus
In her debut column, “Echoes in the Quad,” higher education policy scholar Dominique J. Baker explores how the political oppression of the McCarthy era reverberates in the stifling of academic freedom...
www.insidehighered.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:52 PM
I'm over the moon that @bakerdphd.bsky.social has come on board as an @insidehighered.com's columnist. Her smart, informed and considered voice is a welcome addition to the Opinions side of the house
Reposted by Sara Custer
I'm also in wait-and-see mode on the effects of caps on grad student loans.
My big questions are:
(1) Can the private market scale up in time?
(2) Do students even want private loans?
(3) Will grad programs change admissions practices?
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
My big questions are:
(1) Can the private market scale up in time?
(2) Do students even want private loans?
(3) Will grad programs change admissions practices?
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
December 15, 2025 at 10:14 AM
I'm also in wait-and-see mode on the effects of caps on grad student loans.
My big questions are:
(1) Can the private market scale up in time?
(2) Do students even want private loans?
(3) Will grad programs change admissions practices?
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
My big questions are:
(1) Can the private market scale up in time?
(2) Do students even want private loans?
(3) Will grad programs change admissions practices?
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
Reposted by Sara Custer
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Sara Custer
In all of history, nothing bad has ever happened when a government asks for a list of the names of Jews @insidehighered.com www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Penn Refuses to Disclose Jewish Faculty, Student Names
The Trump administration asked the university to hand over personal information for the members of Jewish clubs and organizations as well as the Jewish Studies department.
www.insidehighered.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
In all of history, nothing bad has ever happened when a government asks for a list of the names of Jews @insidehighered.com www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
The five higher ed figures who appear most frequently in the Epstein emails released on November 12th. @emmawhitford.bsky.social reports www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
5 Higher Ed Names in the Epstein Files
Both houses of Congress voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to release the rest of the trove of documents related to Epstein. Here are some of the key higher ed people mentioned so far.
www.insidehighered.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:29 AM
The five higher ed figures who appear most frequently in the Epstein emails released on November 12th. @emmawhitford.bsky.social reports www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Reposted by Sara Custer
And ED makes it official. Numerous programs are getting shipped out to four different agencies.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
McMahon Breaks Up More of the Education Department
Trump officials announced six agreements with four agencies to take over some of ED’s responsibilities.
www.insidehighered.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
And ED makes it official. Numerous programs are getting shipped out to four different agencies.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
With new caps on federal student loans, the private lending sector is going to get very interesting. Like Sallie Mae selling a seed portfolio of student loans to an investment firm and committing to selling $2 billion more annually for the next three years. finance.yahoo.com/news/sallie-...
Sallie Mae Launches Private Credit Strategic Partnership with KKR
NEWARK, Del., November 12, 2025--Sallie Mae, the leader in private student lending, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with KKR, a leading global investment firm.
finance.yahoo.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM
With new caps on federal student loans, the private lending sector is going to get very interesting. Like Sallie Mae selling a seed portfolio of student loans to an investment firm and committing to selling $2 billion more annually for the next three years. finance.yahoo.com/news/sallie-...
Reposted by Sara Custer
I'm back on The Key this week with @saracuster.insidehighered.com. We talk about Dancing with the Stars, the romance novel I'm trying to write and all the news from the last month.
www.insidehighered.com/podcasts/key...
www.insidehighered.com/podcasts/key...
Ep. 181: TRIO Cuts, Compact Responses and Looking for Signs of Life at ED | Inside Higher Ed
In this episode, Katherine Knott, Inside Higher Ed’s news editor, is ba
www.insidehighered.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I'm back on The Key this week with @saracuster.insidehighered.com. We talk about Dancing with the Stars, the romance novel I'm trying to write and all the news from the last month.
www.insidehighered.com/podcasts/key...
www.insidehighered.com/podcasts/key...
Another college closure, this time nearly 900 students' educations are disrupted and 126 faculty are losing their jobs. @byjoshmoody.bsky.social dug into Trinity Christian College's finances and found that 76% of contributions came from just 3 donors in 2024 www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
Trinity Christian College Announces Closure
Trinity Christian College will close next year due to financial pressure following years of declining enrollment, stubborn deficits and an overreliance on a small donor pool.
www.insidehighered.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Another college closure, this time nearly 900 students' educations are disrupted and 126 faculty are losing their jobs. @byjoshmoody.bsky.social dug into Trinity Christian College's finances and found that 76% of contributions came from just 3 donors in 2024 www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
The buzzword at Educause this year was "consolidation". Colleges are "shopping their closets" one ed tech leader told me in an effort to find efficiencies and cost savings in their digital ecosystems. Here's my full report www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...
Higher Ed Tech Leaders Pursue Consolidation and Savings
Educause’s latest top 10 survey shows economic and political uncertainty are putting pressure on colleges to streamline their tech environments while keeping up with AI’s evolution.
www.insidehighered.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The buzzword at Educause this year was "consolidation". Colleges are "shopping their closets" one ed tech leader told me in an effort to find efficiencies and cost savings in their digital ecosystems. Here's my full report www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...
Reposted by Sara Custer
Inbox: New College of Florida wants to be the first to sign on to the Trump administration's proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.
October 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Inbox: New College of Florida wants to be the first to sign on to the Trump administration's proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.
And if you're wondering what *exactly* those individual responses say– and don't say– @byjoshmoody.bsky.social spoke to some rhetoric and communication experts to read between the lines www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
October 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM
And if you're wondering what *exactly* those individual responses say– and don't say– @byjoshmoody.bsky.social spoke to some rhetoric and communication experts to read between the lines www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
We're keeping track of how universities have the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education (will we ever call it Kay-He??) So far 10 colleges have rejected it and two said they'll "provide feedback". www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
How Universities Are Responding to Trump’s Compact
The document would require signatories to make sweeping changes to policies and practices. A number of institutions have already said no, and more responses are expected.
www.insidehighered.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
We're keeping track of how universities have the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education (will we ever call it Kay-He??) So far 10 colleges have rejected it and two said they'll "provide feedback". www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Reposted by Sara Custer
UVA essentially agreed to follow this DOJ memo www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
October 22, 2025 at 10:41 PM
UVA essentially agreed to follow this DOJ memo www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Reposted by Sara Custer
Amber Northern, the special adviser tasked with reforming IES, will giver her report in Dec. But with the government shutdown and staff cuts can she deliver? @ryanequinn.bsky.social looks into the confusion surrounding the future of federal education data www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Trump Gutted IES. Skepticism of Its Renewal Abounds.
The Education Department recently requested ideas on how to “modernize” the data collection and education research funding agency, and it sought to hire for a few positions.
www.insidehighered.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Amber Northern, the special adviser tasked with reforming IES, will giver her report in Dec. But with the government shutdown and staff cuts can she deliver? @ryanequinn.bsky.social looks into the confusion surrounding the future of federal education data www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...