Academe Today: What’s a College Degree Worth?

What the affirmative-action ruling for UNC means; the prophet of academic doom; what the pandemic did to regional-public enrollments; and more. ADVERTISEMENT [Academe Today Logo]( Did someone forward you this newsletter? [Sign up free]( to receive your own copy. VALUE OF EDUCATION [What’s a College Degree Worth?]( By Scott Carlson [STORY IMAGE]( The imperfect science and contested methods of measuring the return on investment of college. ADVERTISEMENT RACE AND ADMISSIONS [3 Takeaways From the Ruling on UNC’s Admissions Policies]( By Nell Gluckman [STORY IMAGE]( A judge’s opinion makes the case for the continued salience of race. THE REVIEW [The Prophet of Academic Doom]( By Ethan Schrum [STORY IMAGE]( Robert Nisbet predicted the managerialism that has brought universities low. But he also saw a way out. SPONSOR CONTENT | university of Oregon [Learn how research is mitigating damage caused from destructive wildfires.]( COVID-19'S EFFECTS [What the Pandemic Did to Enrollments at Regional Public Colleges]( By Jacquelyn Elias [STORY IMAGE]( Many of them already faced daunting challenges in funding and demographic trends. Then came Covid. RACIAL INEQUALITY [Black Borrowers Have Been Excluded From the Student-Debt Conversation, Report Says]( By Oyin Adedoyin [STORY IMAGE]( A “trash set of choices” for financing their college educations has left Black students drowning in red ink. THE EDGE [The Edge: Can Higher Ed ‘Welcome a Little Oddness’?]( By Goldie Blumenstyk A new book from the head of Stanford’s d.school encourages creative exercises as a way to unlock innovative solutions to higher ed’s challenges. Virtual Events: Tune In Live CLOSING THE TECHNOLOGY GAP [The New Digital Equity]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: October 20 at 2 p.m., ET The pandemic exposed the vast digital divide that exists among students. In a virtual forum, “The New Digital Equity,” a panel of national experts and college leaders discusses how technology can become a catalyst for equitable education, instead of an obstacle. With Support From Verizon. [Register here.]( WORK-FORCE DEVELOPMENT [College to Career, Post-Pandemic]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: October 21 at 2 p.m., ET The pandemic changed the course of the traditional college-to-career path — and opened up new opportunities. A panel of college administrators and other experts convene to discuss how colleges can team up with employers and equip their students with the necessary skills for future career success. With Support From NYU | Tandon School of Engineering. [Register here.]( SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. Views ADVICE [4 Simple Ways to Help Your Most-Disconnected Students]( By Mischa Willett [STORY IMAGE]( Faculty members have a key role to play in retaining students, to the benefit of both. A Paid Message from | Amazon Web Services (AWS) [Webinar—Higher Education: Thinking Out Cloud]( October 21, 2021 | 2:00 PM ET An introduction to cloud just for higher education institutions. [Register Now.]( ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [The Future of Gen Z]( [The Future of Gen Z]( The pandemic has had a deep psychological effect among Gen-Zers on the path to college. Learn how Covid-19 is likely to shape the preferences of college students in the decade ahead and how institutions will need to respond to the expectations of this generation. [Order your copy today.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES Apply for the top jobs in higher education and [search all our open positions](. [Professors, Part-Time, All Disciplines]( Oakland University [FACULTY POSITIONS AVAILABLE]( Baylor University [Join our team of Faculty Experts in the College of Engineering & Business]( Gannon University [Director, Teacher Institute]( Exploratorium [Assistant Professor of Public Policy]( Harvard Kennedy School [ASSISTANT TEACHING PROFESSOR]( University of Washington/American Ethnic Studies [Assistant Professor in Advertising and Public Relations]( Temple University [Lehman College Faculty Career Opportunities]( Lehman College [Endowed Chair & Faculty Director of the Center for Ethics and Economic Justice]( Loyola University New Orleans [Senior Program Evaluation Specialist - Office of Health Affairs]( West Virginia University [Search other jobs.]( NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK What did you think of today’s newsletter? [Strongly disliked]( | [It was ok]( | [Loved it]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2021 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037