Michael Nietzel is president emeritus of Missouri State University. A Forbes contributor since 2019, he writes about higher education. After earning his B.A. from Wheaton College (Illinois), he was awarded a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois in 1973. He then joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky, where he served as director of the Clinical Psychology Program, chair of the department of psychology, dean of the graduate school, and provost. In 2005, He was appointed president of Missouri State University. Following his retirement from Missouri State in 2011, he became senior policy advisor to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. His most recent books include Coming to Grips With Higher Education (2018) and Colleges on the Brink (with Chuck Ambrose, 2023), both published by Rowman & Littlefield.
University Of Southern California Layoffs Now Total More Than 900
Since July, the University of Southern California has laid off more than 900 employees, as it attempts to reduce a deficit that exceeded $200 million in Fiscal Year 2025.
MacKenzie Scott’s HBCU Donations Surge, With $172 Million In New Gifts
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s blockbuster philanthropy continues, with announcements of new donations totaling $172 million given to three HBCUs.
Several Major Universities Post Double-Digit Endowment Gains In FY 2025
As colleges begin reporting their endowments' performance for FY 2025, the early news finds many nationally prominent institutions posting double-digit returns.
A Satirical Featherstone University Pokes Fun At Higher Ed Privilege
A fictional Featherstone University was created by Colorado Mesa University for an ad satirizing elite colleges and the role of wealth and privilege in higher education.
Four Universities Launch Major New Investments In Brain Science
October saw four universities — Rice, MIT, the University of Cincinnati & the University of California San Francisco — launch major initiatives in brain science.
Tom Golisano Commits $253 Million To Six University Children’s Hospitals
Paychex founder Tom Golisano has pledged $253 million to 6 university-based children’s hospitals. They will become part of a 10-institution Golisano Children’s Alliance.
MacKenzie Scott Tops $300 Million In Recent Higher Education Gifts
In just the span of one month billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated more than $300 million to various colleges and higher scholarship funds.
Initial Data Suggest Decrease In Black Freshman At Selective Colleges
An analysis of admissions data for 22 selective colleges suggests a decrease in the percentage of black freshmen admitted in 2025 at almost all of the institutions.
UCLA Ordered To Make Feds’ Settlement Demand Public; Here’s What’s In It
The California Supreme Court ordered the U. of California to make public the administration’s $1.2 billion settlement demand for UCLA. Here's a summary of what's in it.
As Financial Woes Mount, More Universities Turn To Staff Layoffs
Financial pressures are forcing more universities to make major staff cutbacks. Enrollment drops, federal cuts, state rollbacks & rising inflation are largely to blame.