Cecilia Orphan
@ceciliaorphan.bsky.social
Working class kid who got lost on a college campus | Aspiring to lead an analog life | Cat lady | TEDxMileHigh speaker | Co-Director @arrc.bsky.social | I spend a lot of time thinking about higher ed's role in democracy, especially right now
I spoke w/ Amy Morona of @signalcleveland.bsky.social about
[RPUs] and Ohio State and said RPUs “have really thought about ‘how do we create a campus environment that’s supportive to first-generation college, low-income students [and] students who have children." signalcleveland.org/ohio-state-f...
[RPUs] and Ohio State and said RPUs “have really thought about ‘how do we create a campus environment that’s supportive to first-generation college, low-income students [and] students who have children." signalcleveland.org/ohio-state-f...
How Ohio State’s free tuition program could impact other Ohio colleges
The state's flagship institution will soon offer free tuition for in-state students for more students who begin at a regional campus.
signalcleveland.org
September 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I spoke w/ Amy Morona of @signalcleveland.bsky.social about
[RPUs] and Ohio State and said RPUs “have really thought about ‘how do we create a campus environment that’s supportive to first-generation college, low-income students [and] students who have children." signalcleveland.org/ohio-state-f...
[RPUs] and Ohio State and said RPUs “have really thought about ‘how do we create a campus environment that’s supportive to first-generation college, low-income students [and] students who have children." signalcleveland.org/ohio-state-f...
How adequately does your state acknowledge and fund its broad access institutions? We created a scorecard to evaluate states, published and funded by @sheeoed.bsky.social (thanks, SHEEO!). Check it out here.
sheeo.org/wp-content/u...
Co-authors: Katie Kleinhesselink and Essa Njie
sheeo.org/wp-content/u...
Co-authors: Katie Kleinhesselink and Essa Njie
sheeo.org
August 12, 2025 at 4:07 PM
How adequately does your state acknowledge and fund its broad access institutions? We created a scorecard to evaluate states, published and funded by @sheeoed.bsky.social (thanks, SHEEO!). Check it out here.
sheeo.org/wp-content/u...
Co-authors: Katie Kleinhesselink and Essa Njie
sheeo.org/wp-content/u...
Co-authors: Katie Kleinhesselink and Essa Njie
Reposted by Cecilia Orphan
This feels like a ✨prime✨ week to close the book on Amazon.
July 7, 2025 at 3:45 PM
This feels like a ✨prime✨ week to close the book on Amazon.
I’m looking forward to discussing the vital role of Regional Public Universities at this City Club of Cleveland event!
Look, ma, I’ll be on WVIZ PBS! 📺
www.cityclub.org/forums/2025/...
Look, ma, I’ll be on WVIZ PBS! 📺
www.cityclub.org/forums/2025/...
The Evolving Role of Regional Public Universities | The City Club of Cleveland | June 27, 2025
Ohio’s regional public universities — including Cleveland State, and the Universities of Akron and Toledo — collectively serve more students than any single university in the state, including the stat...
www.cityclub.org
June 25, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I’m looking forward to discussing the vital role of Regional Public Universities at this City Club of Cleveland event!
Look, ma, I’ll be on WVIZ PBS! 📺
www.cityclub.org/forums/2025/...
Look, ma, I’ll be on WVIZ PBS! 📺
www.cityclub.org/forums/2025/...
I spoke w/@nbcnews.com about higher ed finance and research that hang in the balance with the current Trump Admin attacks.
"When you cut the research funding, that means [cancer-fighting] research will cease or it will be greatly diminished.”
"When you cut the research funding, that means [cancer-fighting] research will cease or it will be greatly diminished.”
The #Trump administration announced that it's freezing $2.2 billion in funding to #Harvard. Kimmy Yam of @nbcnews.com spoke to @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social about the implications of this freeze and the future of research they are conducting. Read more. ⤵️
www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-a...
www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-a...
Why colleges like Harvard can't easily use endowments to replace federal funding
Endowments aren’t a simple replacement for government funding because of restrictions related to donor earmarking, legality and research priorities, experts say.
www.nbcnews.com
April 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I spoke w/@nbcnews.com about higher ed finance and research that hang in the balance with the current Trump Admin attacks.
"When you cut the research funding, that means [cancer-fighting] research will cease or it will be greatly diminished.”
"When you cut the research funding, that means [cancer-fighting] research will cease or it will be greatly diminished.”
Reposted by Cecilia Orphan
Does anyone know/remember a published study (may have been in IHE/CHE) about the small number of institutions that are talked about in the media? Looking for a stat or two...
April 7, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Does anyone know/remember a published study (may have been in IHE/CHE) about the small number of institutions that are talked about in the media? Looking for a stat or two...
I spoke w/@propublica.org reporter Molly Parker about the challenges facing Regional Public Universities during the Trump and said
"This is definitely one of those baby-in-the-bathwater moments..." as Trump goes after elite institutions but creates chaos for all. www.propublica.org/article/regi...
"This is definitely one of those baby-in-the-bathwater moments..." as Trump goes after elite institutions but creates chaos for all. www.propublica.org/article/regi...
A University, a Rural Town and Their Fight to Survive Trump’s War on Higher Education
The administration’s research funding and DEI cuts present an existential threat to regional public universities like Southern Illinois University, the economic backbone of the conservative rural regi...
www.propublica.org
March 28, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I spoke w/@propublica.org reporter Molly Parker about the challenges facing Regional Public Universities during the Trump and said
"This is definitely one of those baby-in-the-bathwater moments..." as Trump goes after elite institutions but creates chaos for all. www.propublica.org/article/regi...
"This is definitely one of those baby-in-the-bathwater moments..." as Trump goes after elite institutions but creates chaos for all. www.propublica.org/article/regi...
Reposted by Cecilia Orphan
Also recommend this white paper that documents the importance of the 474 regional public universities across the US. It's from @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social and Mac Wetherbee at @thirdway.bsky.social. 4/ www.thirdway.org/report/regio....
Third Way
www.thirdway.org
March 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Also recommend this white paper that documents the importance of the 474 regional public universities across the US. It's from @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social and Mac Wetherbee at @thirdway.bsky.social. 4/ www.thirdway.org/report/regio....
My advice to @ashegrads.bsky.social re: self care while conducting equity-focused research during this era? Spend time in spaces of innocence (w/children, pets, in nature), identify your sphere of influence and focus your energies there. This is a marathon. We must care for ourselves as we fight. 🥊
ASHE Grads (@ashegrads.bsky.social)
Official BlueSky account for @asheoffice Graduate Students. Join us for #ASHE2025 in Denver! Moderated by the Graduate Student Committee (GSC).
ashegrads.bsky.social
March 27, 2025 at 7:54 PM
My advice to @ashegrads.bsky.social re: self care while conducting equity-focused research during this era? Spend time in spaces of innocence (w/children, pets, in nature), identify your sphere of influence and focus your energies there. This is a marathon. We must care for ourselves as we fight. 🥊
Reposted by Cecilia Orphan
Nice plug for the important work from ARRC with @drkevinrmcclure.com, @drandrewk.bsky.social, & @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social
March 27, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Nice plug for the important work from ARRC with @drkevinrmcclure.com, @drandrewk.bsky.social, & @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social
Phil Hill with EdTech used our Regional Public University (RPU) list to analyze enrollment and grad programs. He found that enrollment has declined slightly in the sector since 2012 (6.7%) and online grad programs have grown.
onedtech.philhillaa.com/p/diverging-...
onedtech.philhillaa.com/p/diverging-...
Diverging Fortunes in Public 4-year Institutions
Regional Public Universities deserve more attention for their mission, but the trends aren't looking good
onedtech.philhillaa.com
March 19, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Phil Hill with EdTech used our Regional Public University (RPU) list to analyze enrollment and grad programs. He found that enrollment has declined slightly in the sector since 2012 (6.7%) and online grad programs have grown.
onedtech.philhillaa.com/p/diverging-...
onedtech.philhillaa.com/p/diverging-...
Reposted by Cecilia Orphan
New pub with @itspgr.bsky.social & Denisa Gandara examining how state policymakers in New Mexico frame their support or opposition to the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, a statewide promise program that has a flexible and generous design. #edusky #highered
epaa.asu.edu/index.php/ep...
epaa.asu.edu/index.php/ep...
View of “There’s something ennobling…about struggling”: State policymakers’ framing of deservingness in the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship
epaa.asu.edu
March 18, 2025 at 8:42 PM
New pub with @itspgr.bsky.social & Denisa Gandara examining how state policymakers in New Mexico frame their support or opposition to the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, a statewide promise program that has a flexible and generous design. #edusky #highered
epaa.asu.edu/index.php/ep...
epaa.asu.edu/index.php/ep...
Take action in support of Tribal Colleges and Universities! Call your Rep or Senator and read the script prepared by the American Indian College Fund.
standwith.collegefund.org/issues-impac...
standwith.collegefund.org/issues-impac...
We need your voice, right now. | Standwith
Eliminating the Department of Education would devastate public schools, hurt students with disabilities, strip away civil rights protections for millions of ...
standwith.collegefund.org
March 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Take action in support of Tribal Colleges and Universities! Call your Rep or Senator and read the script prepared by the American Indian College Fund.
standwith.collegefund.org/issues-impac...
standwith.collegefund.org/issues-impac...
Reposted by Cecilia Orphan
🗣️Regional public universities offer greater upward mobility than any other type of institution. For many Americans, RPUs provide access, affordability, and quality education, paving the way for economic stability and job security. More from @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social & Mac Wetherbee
Regional Public Universities: Expanding Higher Education's ROI for Students and Communities
buff.ly
March 12, 2025 at 8:17 PM
🗣️Regional public universities offer greater upward mobility than any other type of institution. For many Americans, RPUs provide access, affordability, and quality education, paving the way for economic stability and job security. More from @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social & Mac Wetherbee
I truly believe that Regional Public Universities provide the best possible answer to questions about what value/ROI higher education provides society, which is why I co-wrote a @thirdwayedu.bsky.social brief about them.
New publication 🚨!
www.thirdway.org/report/regio...
New publication 🚨!
www.thirdway.org/report/regio...
Third Way
www.thirdway.org
March 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I truly believe that Regional Public Universities provide the best possible answer to questions about what value/ROI higher education provides society, which is why I co-wrote a @thirdwayedu.bsky.social brief about them.
New publication 🚨!
www.thirdway.org/report/regio...
New publication 🚨!
www.thirdway.org/report/regio...
@drandrewk.bsky.social and I had a wonderful time visiting Western Carolina University, a rural-serving Regional Public University, to help campus leaders think about how to tell their stories of impact and transformation. @arrc.bsky.social
February 28, 2025 at 8:27 PM
@drandrewk.bsky.social and I had a wonderful time visiting Western Carolina University, a rural-serving Regional Public University, to help campus leaders think about how to tell their stories of impact and transformation. @arrc.bsky.social
I am grateful for Joe Garcia's leadership and service to Colorado. Sad to see him retire, but I know his legacy will live on. Happy retirement, Joe!
www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...
www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...
Colorado’s Joe Garcia plans to retire after 25 years in higher education
Garcia said his own college education helped him realize a career he never knew was possible.
www.chalkbeat.org
February 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I am grateful for Joe Garcia's leadership and service to Colorado. Sad to see him retire, but I know his legacy will live on. Happy retirement, Joe!
www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...
www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...
A new episode of Mile Higher Ed podcast just dropped. "Administration, Practice, and Scholarship in Medicine" a conversation with a DUHigherEd graduate Dr. Sylk Sotto.
open.spotify.com/episode/4f86...
open.spotify.com/episode/4f86...
Administration, Practice, and Scholarship in Medicine with Dr. Sylk Sotto
Mile Higher Ed Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com
February 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
A new episode of Mile Higher Ed podcast just dropped. "Administration, Practice, and Scholarship in Medicine" a conversation with a DUHigherEd graduate Dr. Sylk Sotto.
open.spotify.com/episode/4f86...
open.spotify.com/episode/4f86...
I researched the failure of ideal-centered change and found that failure occurred when campuses failed to create ongoing cultural engagement with the ideal, involve naysayers, or assess the effects of the change.
Perhaps lessons for the attacks on DEI?
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Perhaps lessons for the attacks on DEI?
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
How Change Unravels: The Failure of Ideal-centered Organizational Change at Regional Comprehensive Universities
This multiple-case study examined the factors promoting or impeding ideal-centered change efforts focused on reclaiming the founding civic commitments of three Regional Comprehensive Universities. ...
www.tandfonline.com
February 14, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I researched the failure of ideal-centered change and found that failure occurred when campuses failed to create ongoing cultural engagement with the ideal, involve naysayers, or assess the effects of the change.
Perhaps lessons for the attacks on DEI?
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Perhaps lessons for the attacks on DEI?
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Glad my @arrc.bsky.social colleagues thought to download IPEDS data last week. This is wild.
It goes without saying, but if you see the need to access any data about American education from the federal government, you should go download it now. Like stop reading this post and do it immediately.
February 11, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Glad my @arrc.bsky.social colleagues thought to download IPEDS data last week. This is wild.
Reposted by Cecilia Orphan
#DidYouKnow?
Nearly 3 out of every 4 adults (73.3%) living in #Georgia's #Appalachian counties struggle with basic #Math.
Learn more by visiting our page about #GA on our website:
www.appli.org/georgia
1/2
Nearly 3 out of every 4 adults (73.3%) living in #Georgia's #Appalachian counties struggle with basic #Math.
Learn more by visiting our page about #GA on our website:
www.appli.org/georgia
1/2
February 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM
#DidYouKnow?
Nearly 3 out of every 4 adults (73.3%) living in #Georgia's #Appalachian counties struggle with basic #Math.
Learn more by visiting our page about #GA on our website:
www.appli.org/georgia
1/2
Nearly 3 out of every 4 adults (73.3%) living in #Georgia's #Appalachian counties struggle with basic #Math.
Learn more by visiting our page about #GA on our website:
www.appli.org/georgia
1/2
Reposted by Cecilia Orphan
One small thing we can do for now, to help set up an infrastructure for organizing: join the @aaup.bsky.social. They have officially declared they will be more aggressive in defending academic rights
Academics: Do you imagine you're in the clear b/c you've played it safe, avoided commenting on so-called "controversial" issues, and/or don't teach or write on one of "those" subjects? Think again. It may start with x, y, or z "issues" or subjects. But rest assured that will be just the beginning.
February 1, 2025 at 5:08 AM
One small thing we can do for now, to help set up an infrastructure for organizing: join the @aaup.bsky.social. They have officially declared they will be more aggressive in defending academic rights
Reposted by Cecilia Orphan
A recent report suggests tuition discounts for nearby out-of-state students to expand college access. @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social says that broad-access institutions often do much more for their communities than confer degrees.
@saraweissman.bsky.social , @insidehighered.com
@saraweissman.bsky.social , @insidehighered.com
New report: Too many communities lack broad-access colleges
A new report found that millions of Americans don’t have any colleges with high acceptance rates nearby, or they have only one, causing geographic disparities in college access.
buff.ly
February 3, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A recent report suggests tuition discounts for nearby out-of-state students to expand college access. @ceciliaorphan.bsky.social says that broad-access institutions often do much more for their communities than confer degrees.
@saraweissman.bsky.social , @insidehighered.com
@saraweissman.bsky.social , @insidehighered.com
Today I'm tuning into the Denver Democracy Summit hosted by DU's Korbel School of International Relations. It's helpful to get a global perspective on democracy and elections, given everything happening in the U.S. right now. 🗳️
Join here: korbel.du.edu/news-events/...
Join here: korbel.du.edu/news-events/...
Watch the 2025 Denver Democracy Summit Here | International Studies
Emerging from a global election year, January's 2025 Denver Democracy Summit will feature a dynamic gathering of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers tackling the most pressing challenges and opportuni...
korbel.du.edu
January 23, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Today I'm tuning into the Denver Democracy Summit hosted by DU's Korbel School of International Relations. It's helpful to get a global perspective on democracy and elections, given everything happening in the U.S. right now. 🗳️
Join here: korbel.du.edu/news-events/...
Join here: korbel.du.edu/news-events/...