Texas Tech University System has enacted new restrictions on classroom discussions involving race, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Chancellor Brandon Creighton's memo outlines that faculty are prohibited from promoting certain beliefs related to these topics and warns that noncompliance may result in disciplinary action. The restrictions come in response to state-level scrutiny and recent legislative changes, with the university system seeking to provide clear guidelines for faculty as the new semester approaches.

Boston College's Messina College has introduced a two-year associate degree program aimed at first-generation and low-income students, offering comprehensive support including free housing, meals, textbooks and laptops. The program, which guarantees a spot in Boston College's bachelor's degree program for students with a 3.4 GPA or higher, has seen a 96% retention rate.

Giving a successful presentation is less about perfection and more about preparation, vulnerability and authenticity, writes leadership development consultant Amber Johnson, who shares insights from her TEDx experience. Johnson emphasizes the importance of meticulous preparation, writing for a specific audience, being memorable through storytelling and humor and being open to feedback. "The next time you have an opportunity to share ideas that matter to you -- whether it's a boardroom presentation, a community talk or yes, even a TEDx stage -- remember that your audience wants you to succeed," Johnson writes.

A study from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education shows that dual-enrollment courses taught in person by high school teachers on a college campus increase students' likelihood of college enrollment by 11%. The study, which analyzed five years of state data, found that taking any dual-enrollment course boosts college attendance by 5%.

A team of students from Sonoma State University, Howard University and the University of New Hampshire has successfully launched a CubeSat as part of SpaceX's Transporter 15 mission. The CubeSat, which will monitor solar wind interactions with the upper atmosphere, aims to help improve space weather forecasting and protect technology on Earth. The satellite, slightly larger than a half-gallon milk carton, was deployed 323 miles above Earth. Despite the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, participants gained practical skills in coding, hardware instrumentation, and radio frequency concepts.

AI is transforming student support in higher education by delivering scalable, personalized assistance across the student journey, from orientation logistics to career guidance and registrar inquiries. Unlike traditional models limited by staff capacity and office hours, AI-driven platforms offer 24/7 support, accurate responses from vetted resources, and seamless direction to appropriate campus services. This approach reduces staff workload, improves response times, and ensures students feel supported and empowered throughout their academic experience.

Colleges need to prepare for Generation Alpha