10 Education News You Should Know Today: Equity, Immigration, and Policy Shifts in Higher Education
- bonniechen54
- May 1
- 3 min read
1. Kids on Campus Initiative Connects Head Start and Community Colleges
Source: Diverse Education
A nationwide partnership is making strides in placing Head Start childcare centers on U.S. community college campuses. The goal is to establish at least 50 centers by 2030, with 87 community colleges and 98 Head Start programs already collaborating across 27 states. This initiative not only provides affordable, high-quality early childhood education for student parents but also offers valuable fieldwork opportunities for students studying early childhood education—helping parents stay enrolled and graduate.
2. Legal Education Data Shows Admissions and Aid Gaps
Source: Diverse Education
The AccessLex 2025 Legal Education Data Deck reveals major disparities: white applicants to U.S. law schools have a 79% acceptance rate, compared to 45% for Black, 57% for Hispanic/Latine, and 52% for American Indian/Alaska Native applicants. Asian applicants have a 69% rate. Black students receive the highest average aid ($54,200), but most of it comes as loans, while white students get $39,400 on average, mostly in grants. The report also highlights higher dropout rates among Black and Hispanic students.
3. Columbia Student Released After ICE Detention Raises Free Speech Concerns
Source: NPR
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student and U.S. green card holder at Columbia University, was detained after a naturalization interview over claims his pro-Palestinian activism undermined U.S. antisemitism policy. His lawyers argued this was retaliation for exercising First Amendment rights. Mahdawi, who’s lived in the U.S. for a decade, was released after a judge intervened, raising alarm about international students’ vulnerability when engaging in political speech.
4. Tufts Doctoral Student’s ICE Transfer Halted Amid Activism Case
Source: NPR
Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, has been held in ICE detention for five weeks after allegedly supporting Hamas—a claim her lawyers deny, pointing to her criticism of Tufts' response to pro-Palestine protests. A federal appeals court has now paused her transfer back to New England, with supporters arguing the case highlights risks to international students’ rights and academic freedom.
5. NIH Cuts Threaten Deaf Scientists Pipeline
Source: NPR
The Trump administration’s decision to cut federal grants has hit programs supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing students in STEM, like the Deaf Scientist Pipeline and teacher training initiatives. These programs offered scholarships, mentorship, and sign language support—tools that enabled deaf students like Sara Blick-Nitko and Matthew Peeks to thrive in science and education fields. Advocates warn the cuts jeopardize diversity and inclusion in U.S. scientific research.
6. UAE Courts Chinese Students at Beijing Education Fair
Source: The PIE News
The UAE is promoting its universities as top choices for Chinese students at the China International Education Exhibition Tour in Beijing. Dubai’s representatives emphasized safety, innovation, cultural diversity, and global career prospects, hoping to position the UAE as an alternative to the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia in the international student market.
7. House GOP Proposes $330 Billion in Federal Higher Ed Cuts
Source: Inside Higher Ed
House Republicans unveiled draft legislation to slash $330 billion from federal higher ed spending. The plan includes eliminating subsidized undergraduate loans, capping existing loans, ending Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS programs, and changing Pell Grant rules. Advocates warn these cuts would disproportionately harm low-income students and reduce college accessibility.
8. Florida Colleges’ ICE Partnerships Spark Outrage
Source: Inside Higher EdFifteen Florida colleges have formal agreements with ICE, letting campus police help enforce immigration law. Faculty, students, and unions warn this could create a “climate of fear,” damage trust in campus safety, and disproportionately target international students—especially in a state already tightening immigration enforcement.
9. Half of U.S. College Students Struggle with Basic Needs
Source: Inside Higher Ed
A new survey finds nearly half of U.S. college students report that financial hardships hurt their studies, with many facing food and housing insecurity. Alarmingly, there’s a gap between available campus aid and what students know how to access. The report underscores the urgent need for colleges to address students’ basic needs alongside academic supports.
10. NSF Slashes 700 Research Grants, Hits Diversity Initiatives
Source: Inside Higher Ed
The National Science Foundation has cut 700 grants, many focused on diversity, online STEM learning, and rural scholar access. Following the resignation of its director, the NSF says it’s shifting away from funding projects with “narrow subgroup impacts.” Researchers fear these cuts will undermine U.S. competitiveness in science and weaken efforts to broaden participation in STEM.
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