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Undergraduate Education

Teaching, learning, student development, and the distinctive educational experience offered by PUIs.

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Faculty & Academic Careers

Becoming a Professor at a PUI

If you're a graduate student or postdoc considering a teaching-focused academic career, there's a good chance you've heard of Primarily Undergraduate Institutions, or PUIs. These institutions play a critical yet often under-discussed role in the American higher education system. In this first part of a two-part article series, we break down what PUIs are, why they matter, and how you can launch a successful faculty career at one.

Career Guide · 13 min read

Undergraduate Education

Student Athletics in Undergraduate Learning: Maximizing Benefits and Minimizing Downsides

Student athletics are a longstanding and valued part of undergraduate education. For many students, participation in sports provides structure, discipline, teamwork, and a sense of belonging that enriches the overall college experience. Athletic programs also contribute to campus identity and, in many institutions, play a role in student recruitment and retention. Research frequently cited in discussions of athletics and academics suggests that student-athletes often perform at least as well as, and sometimes slightly better than, their non-athlete peers. For example, one study reported average GPAs of 3.56 for athletes compared with 3.40 for non-athletes, while another college-level study found athletes averaging 3.46 compared with 3.17 among non-athletes.Ref. These findings suggest that athletic participation can coexist with academic success. At the same time, these conclusions are often presented too broadly. Most studies examining academic outcomes among athletes are correlational rather than causal.

Analysis · 4 min read

Academic Freedom & Public Policy

The Trump Administration’s Efforts to Dismantle the Department of Education: What It Means for Higher Education and PUIs

With his re-election, President Trump has brought into focus his administration’s aim to reduce the federal government’s role in education, this time with increased momentum. Central to this effort is the proposal to eliminate or significantly scale back the U.S. Department of Education (DoE). While such an overhaul has yet to materialize into law, policy outlines and public statements make it clear that the Department is under direct political threat. In this article, we provide an update on the current status of those efforts, outline the broader implications for American higher education, and discuss in particular how Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) may be disproportionately affected by such structural changes.

Policy Analysis · 4 min read