David Jesse
@reporterdavidj.bsky.social
Senior writer covering leadership at Chronicle of Higher Education. Ex-Detroit Free Press. Spencer Education Reporting Fellow. Once named best education reporter in country by Education Writers Association https://www.chronicle.com/author/david-jesse
Outgoing Michigan State University President rips board: "“The ongoing and continuous nature of the aforementioned actions has created an unsustainable situation." chronicle.com/liveblog/her...
Departing Michigan State Leader Says Board Dysfunction Created ‘Unsustainable Situation’
Kevin Guskiewicz is leaving East Lansing for Clemson University’s presidency. In a goodbye message, Guskiewicz referenced dysfunction on the Michigan State governing board.
chronicle.com
The contest is a combustible stew that illustrates just how large the 2024 protests still loom over higher education — and may reveal the lean of the Democratic Party in an all-important swing state. www.chronicle.com/article/in-t...
In This Trustee Election, the Gaza Protests Take Center Stage — Again
One of America’s most outspoken regents is defending his seat against a lawyer who defended pro-Palestinian protesters. And the contest is getting heated.
chronicle.com
BREAKING NEWS: Incoming University of Michigan president Kent Syverud has a form of brain cancer and will not take up the presidency, he and the university announced Wednesday morning. www.chronicle.com/article/u-of...
U. of Michigan’s Incoming President Has Brain Cancer and Won’t Take Office
Kent Syverud, who was moving from Syracuse to Ann Arbor, said he had been diagnosed with “a form of brain cancer.” The Board of Regents will start a new search.
chronicle.com
Wyoming Has One University. Can It Survive Its Own Legislature? by @reporterdavidj.bsky.social via @chronicle.com www.chronicle.com/article/wyom...
Wyoming Has One University. Can It Survive Its Own Legislature?
The state’s flagship dodged a $40-million cut but not the bigger questions it raised.
chronicle.com
Wyoming's Freedom Caucus tried to cut $40 million from the state's lone four-year university. Establishment Republicans fought back and defeated the cut. What does it mean for higher ed in red states? www.chronicle.com/article/wyom...
Wyoming Has One University. Can It Survive Its Own Legislature?
The state’s flagship dodged a $40-million cut, but not the bigger questions it raised.
chronicle.com
Spent some time talking sports with the University of Louisville president and board chair the other day. They just released an interesting call for college sports reform (the letter is linked in the story). t.co/djpLo3HFbF
https://www.chronicle.com/article/we-are-in-a-crisis-why-louisvilles-leaders-are-proposing-a-cap-on-sports-spending?sra=true
t.co
I am betting you can guess why cuts are on the way www.chronicle.com/article/this...
This State Has Plenty of Money. It’s Weighing Cuts to Its Only Public University Anyway.
The University of Wyoming is facing a $40-million proposed cut from legislators who argue the campus “has forgotten its founding purpose.”
chronicle.com
For @chronicle.com, I wrote about a secret provost club. Well, formerly. www.chronicle.com/article/high...
Higher Ed’s Secret Provost Club
In 10U, chief academic officers at private research universities gather, share ideas, and commiserate.
chronicle.com
I'm excited to be named as an @edwriters.bsky.social reporting fellow. I've long been interested in rural education and will be spending time in Wyoming digging into how higher ed there is working, what changes might be on the horizon and how they impact students. #EWAFellows ewa.org/members-news...
EWA Reporting Fellowship: Meet the Class 21 Fellows
The EWA Reporting Fellowship recipients in class 21 will receive financial awards for innovative education journalism. Learn more.
ewa.org
The life expectancy of a presidency at any institution is rapidly falling, with little time for ruminations about a vision. Instead, because time is fleeting, the transition period between presidencies is even more important, experts said. www.chronicle.com/article/insi...
Inside the All-Important Presidential Transition
As tenures get shorter, leaders who straddle two campuses must use their time wisely.
chronicle.com
For those of you who visit different campuses or talk with friends at different campuses than yours: I'm looking for campuses that are struggling with deferred maintenance issues because of tight budget. Send me a DM or an email (david.jesse@chronicle.com) with suggestions for where I should look.
What will the killing of Charlie Kirk mean for higher education and the country? Check out the College Matters podcast to hear analysis from The Chronicle’s Jack Stripling and Nell Gluckman. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Meaning of Charlie Kirk
Podcast Episode · College Matters from The Chronicle · 09/11/2025 · 27m
podcasts.apple.com
In Detroit this week for the annual Education Writers Association's gathering of higher education reporters. Are you in town to attend or speak? Want to catch up over a cup of coffee? Grab me and we'll make it happen.
Did Northwestern University's president think about hiring an anti-Israeli rabbi in order to get students to take down a campus encampment? www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The Gaza Protests Are Still Haunting College Leaders. A Candid Interview With One President Shows How.
In a lengthy exchange released the same day Michael H. Schill resigned as Northwestern University’s president, a deal he struck with protesters loomed large.
chronicle.com
The Trump administration violated Harvard University's rights when it canceled hundreds of grants over antisemitism, a judge ruled Wednesday.
‘A Robust Victory’: Federal Judge Says Harvard Should Have Billions of Research Dollars Restored
The judge, Allison D. Burroughs, ruled that the Trump administration’s explanation for canceling the grants — that Harvard had done too little to respond to antisemitism — rang hollow.
chroni.cl
Have you been through, or are currently going through, a leadership training aimed at turning you into a senior academic leader - even a president? I'd like to talk to you for a story I'm doing. Feel free to DM me, or email me david.jesse@chronicle.com
“Most people want a college degree and have options to choose from, just as they do vehicles. We built a system of education organized around competition. Why, then, are we surprised when we see it?” www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The College That’s Thriving Under Trump
Federal scrutiny has been a rare sap on Grand Canyon University’s growth. Until now.
chronicle.com
Great chat last week with The @chronicle.com of Higher Education on keeping institutions moving forward in turbulent times. Thanks to @reporterdavidj.bsky.social , Leslie Brunelli, and @jordanackermi.bsky.social for their insights. Watch: www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
Keeping Your Institution Moving Forward in Turbulent Times
ON DEMAND: In a year marked by political volatility and financial uncertainty, the pressure on higher-education leaders has never been greater. Discover how leaders continue to advance their strategic...
chronicle.com
If Harvard and Columbia are the clear losers under the Trump administration, Grand Canyon is a clear winner. On a campus that celebrated in the streets when Trump won, the change in administrations has meant a seismic shift in how the college is viewed in D.C. www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The College That’s Thriving Under Trump
Federal scrutiny has been a rare sap on Grand Canyon University’s growth. Until now.
chronicle.com
We’ve been vacationing at this same spot on Lake Huron for the last dozen years or so, just outside Mackinac city at the top of Michigan’s lower peninsula. If you’ve never been up here before, you should put it on your list — it’s the perfect spot.
You've still got time to get signed up for tomorrow's panel I'm hosting, featuring University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker, Washington State University CFO Leslie Brunelli and Weber State University President Brad Mortensen www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
Keeping Your Institution Moving Forward in Turbulent Times
UPCOMING: July 31, 2025 | 2 p.m. ET In a year marked by political volatility and financial uncertainty, the pressure on higher-education leaders has never been greater. Discover how leaders continue t...
chronicle.com
U. of Florida is extending interim President Kent Fuchs’ contract through Sept. 1 as it continues to find a temporary successor after Santa J. Ono’s failed bid. A new search will launch early 2026. www.wuft.org/fresh-take-f...
UF keeps interim president for another month
President Kent Fuchs has agreed to a one-month contract extension ending Sept. 1.
wuft.org
Excited to host this virtual conversation on Thursday with University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker; Weber State University President Brad Mortensen and Washington State University CFO Leslie Brunelli. Join us by signing up below. www.chronicle.com/events/virtu...
Keeping Your Institution Moving Forward in Turbulent Times
UPCOMING: July 31, 2025 | 2 p.m. ET In a year marked by political volatility and financial uncertainty, the pressure on higher-education leaders has never been greater. Discover how leaders continue t...
chronicle.com
My late-afternoon office. Days like these are why we put up with Michigan winters.
Despite being dissolved as an official entity in early May by the state of South Carolina, Bob Jones University has continued to operate as normal – including graduating students and running summer orientation – despite state law saying it should cease operations. www.chronicle.com/article/appa...
Apparent Paperwork Error Threatens Bob Jones U.'s Legal Standing in South Carolina
The prominent Christian university’s nonprofit arm was dissolved by the state earlier this year, but it has continued to operate, raising questions about the law and its accreditation.
chronicle.com
Looking for someone with expertise in required legal corporation filings universities have to make. Who should I reach out to? DM me or email me: david.jesse@chronicle.com
Are you currently, or have you been, an appointed board member at a public university? If so, I'd like to talk to you for a story. Please DM me or email me at david.jesse@chronicle.com
If a college flipped to not accepting federal funds to get away from government control, they would see a fund-raising boom, one president of a college that doesn't take federal funds said. “I think they would see a financial uplift from their supporters rallying around them,” he said.
Under Trump, Colleges Wonder How to Do Without Federal Money. These Campuses Already Know.
A small number of colleges have long refused federal funds due to their religious identities or a desire to stay lean. Here’s how they balance their budgets.
chronicle.com
