Chris Quintana
@chrisquintana.bsky.social
USA TODAY reporter interested higher ed and what you know. Runner, New Mexican, state school grad, fan of phone calls.
Email: cquintana@usatoday.com
Signal: 202-308-9021
Email: cquintana@usatoday.com
Signal: 202-308-9021
I am fascinated by the far-reaching effects of the AWS outage earlier this week and feeling grateful my bed is dumb: www.404media.co/the-aws-outa...
The AWS Outage Bricked People’s $2,700 Smartbeds
When Amazon Web Services went offline, people lost control of their cloud-connected smart beds, getting stuck in reclined positions or roasting with the heat turned all the way up.
www.404media.co
October 22, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I am fascinated by the far-reaching effects of the AWS outage earlier this week and feeling grateful my bed is dumb: www.404media.co/the-aws-outa...
Reposted by Chris Quintana
MrBeast, the world’s most subscribed to YouTuber, and East Carolina University announced a credentialing program back in 2022. It was supposed to debut in 6-12 months, but nearly 3 years later there’s no sign of it. What happened? I tried to find out: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
What happened to MrBeast's East Carolina University academic program? No one will say
In 2022, MrBeast, the most subscribed to YouTuber, and East Carolina University announced an academic program. Years later it stalled without reason.
www.usatoday.com
October 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
MrBeast, the world’s most subscribed to YouTuber, and East Carolina University announced a credentialing program back in 2022. It was supposed to debut in 6-12 months, but nearly 3 years later there’s no sign of it. What happened? I tried to find out: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
Reposted by Chris Quintana
what happens when the “move fast and break things” ideology collides with higher ed. great story from @chrisquintana.bsky.social: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
What happened to MrBeast's East Carolina University academic program? No one will say
In 2022, MrBeast, the most subscribed to YouTuber, and East Carolina University announced an academic program. Years later it stalled without reason.
www.usatoday.com
October 12, 2025 at 6:49 PM
what happens when the “move fast and break things” ideology collides with higher ed. great story from @chrisquintana.bsky.social: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
MrBeast, the world’s most subscribed to YouTuber, and East Carolina University announced a credentialing program back in 2022. It was supposed to debut in 6-12 months, but nearly 3 years later there’s no sign of it. What happened? I tried to find out: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
What happened to MrBeast's East Carolina University academic program? No one will say
In 2022, MrBeast, the most subscribed to YouTuber, and East Carolina University announced an academic program. Years later it stalled without reason.
www.usatoday.com
October 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
MrBeast, the world’s most subscribed to YouTuber, and East Carolina University announced a credentialing program back in 2022. It was supposed to debut in 6-12 months, but nearly 3 years later there’s no sign of it. What happened? I tried to find out: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
I sat down with the Ohio State President, Ted Carter, for a wide ranging discussion that included why the university banned chalking on sidewalks and why he doesn't feel targeted by the Trump administration even while facing federal inquires: www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...
How Ohio State's president is navigating an ever-changing higher education landscape
In an interview with USA TODAY, the Ohio State University President Ted Carter says he doesn’t feel targeted by the federal government.
www.usatoday.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I sat down with the Ohio State President, Ted Carter, for a wide ranging discussion that included why the university banned chalking on sidewalks and why he doesn't feel targeted by the Trump administration even while facing federal inquires: www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...
Reposted by Chris Quintana
Pres. Trump says the Smithsonian Institution is too "woke."
My colleagues + I went to several museums + interviewed visitors to assess his concerns.
Here's what we found:
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
@chrisquintana.bsky.social @stephenbeard.bsky.social @duanegang.bsky.social @usatoday.com
My colleagues + I went to several museums + interviewed visitors to assess his concerns.
Here's what we found:
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
@chrisquintana.bsky.social @stephenbeard.bsky.social @duanegang.bsky.social @usatoday.com
Trump says the Smithsonian is too woke. We visited five of its museums to find out
On Aug. 12, the Trump administration announced a review of the Smithsonian, starting with eight of its most-visited and high-profile museums.
www.usatoday.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Pres. Trump says the Smithsonian Institution is too "woke."
My colleagues + I went to several museums + interviewed visitors to assess his concerns.
Here's what we found:
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
@chrisquintana.bsky.social @stephenbeard.bsky.social @duanegang.bsky.social @usatoday.com
My colleagues + I went to several museums + interviewed visitors to assess his concerns.
Here's what we found:
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
@chrisquintana.bsky.social @stephenbeard.bsky.social @duanegang.bsky.social @usatoday.com
A question for the academics, I am looking for folks who can speak, on-record or background, about developing a certificate program for a university as a third party. I am looking for sources on either side of this equation. DMs are open and I am @ cquintana@usatoday.com, thanks!
August 18, 2025 at 2:40 PM
A question for the academics, I am looking for folks who can speak, on-record or background, about developing a certificate program for a university as a third party. I am looking for sources on either side of this equation. DMs are open and I am @ cquintana@usatoday.com, thanks!
Liberty University is facing a second lawsuit accusing it of mishandling sexual assault cases, my latest: www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...
Liberty University faces second lawsuit accusing it of mishandling sexual assault cases
An ex-employee alleged she faced workplace discrimination in addition to retaliation for working with Education Department investigators.
www.usatoday.com
August 15, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Liberty University is facing a second lawsuit accusing it of mishandling sexual assault cases, my latest: www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...
It was the Senate's last vote on Friday night, but Trump's pick to oversee higher ed was confirmed in a 50-45 vote. More on Nicholas Kent, his time working with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and his ties to for-profit colleges here: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
Senate confirms Trump's pick to oversee higher ed, a man tied to for-profit colleges
The under secretary at the Department of Education oversees billions in federal financial aid.
www.usatoday.com
August 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
It was the Senate's last vote on Friday night, but Trump's pick to oversee higher ed was confirmed in a 50-45 vote. More on Nicholas Kent, his time working with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and his ties to for-profit colleges here: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
Reposted by Chris Quintana
The Trump administration is seeking to dramatically reshape higher education across the U.S. For @usatoday.com, @chrisquintana.bsky.social takes a deep dive looking at the man Trump wants leading the charge. www.usatoday.com/story/news/i...
Trump is seeking to reshape higher education. Meet the man he wants leading the charge.
Trump's pick to oversee higher ed was a vice president for a company that paid $13 million to settle accusations it defrauded the student aid system.
www.usatoday.com
July 27, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The Trump administration is seeking to dramatically reshape higher education across the U.S. For @usatoday.com, @chrisquintana.bsky.social takes a deep dive looking at the man Trump wants leading the charge. www.usatoday.com/story/news/i...
Meet the man President Trump wants in charge of higher ed policy. He worked for Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a for-profit college trade group, and a company that paid the gov $13 million to settle accusations of gaming the financial aid system, my latest: www.usatoday.com/story/news/i...
July 26, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Meet the man President Trump wants in charge of higher ed policy. He worked for Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a for-profit college trade group, and a company that paid the gov $13 million to settle accusations of gaming the financial aid system, my latest: www.usatoday.com/story/news/i...
Varsity Blues mastermind Rick Singer can advise aspiring college students, but only if he prominently displays the following disclosure on his website per a district judge. No sign of Singer or the disclosure on the home page of his new biz, ID Future Stars as of today:
July 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Varsity Blues mastermind Rick Singer can advise aspiring college students, but only if he prominently displays the following disclosure on his website per a district judge. No sign of Singer or the disclosure on the home page of his new biz, ID Future Stars as of today:
Reposted by Chris Quintana
Smoky Hills @pbs.org is a rural station that sits in the heart of Kansas wheat country. It's among the places that advocates fear could be hardest hit if the Senate votes to claw back $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
My latest for @usatoday.com:
My latest for @usatoday.com:
www.usatoday.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Smoky Hills @pbs.org is a rural station that sits in the heart of Kansas wheat country. It's among the places that advocates fear could be hardest hit if the Senate votes to claw back $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
My latest for @usatoday.com:
My latest for @usatoday.com:
Reposted by Chris Quintana
New Lumina/Gallup survey data show a slight uptick in the share of respondents who have confidence in higher education, with Republicans giving much more support to community colleges than four-year institutions. It's a rare bit of good news for the sector.
news.gallup.com/poll/692519/...
news.gallup.com/poll/692519/...
July 16, 2025 at 9:23 AM
New Lumina/Gallup survey data show a slight uptick in the share of respondents who have confidence in higher education, with Republicans giving much more support to community colleges than four-year institutions. It's a rare bit of good news for the sector.
news.gallup.com/poll/692519/...
news.gallup.com/poll/692519/...
Reposted by Chris Quintana
Exclusive: The Trump administration’s postponement of a summer meeting for a college-accreditation panel has set off alarm bells in an obscure but powerful corner of higher education.
Delayed Meeting at a Powerful College Panel Stirs Suspicions in Higher Ed
The Trump administration postponed a summer meeting for a panel set to vote on reapproving Columbia University’s accreditor.
on.wsj.com
July 3, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Exclusive: The Trump administration’s postponement of a summer meeting for a college-accreditation panel has set off alarm bells in an obscure but powerful corner of higher education.
Back to the Future turns 40 today, which gives me a great excuse to repost the movie's take on a USA TODAY front page. We're still chasing that 3 minute mile!
July 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Back to the Future turns 40 today, which gives me a great excuse to repost the movie's take on a USA TODAY front page. We're still chasing that 3 minute mile!
Interesting piece from Governing that synthesizes many of the biggest challenges facing higher ed, including enrollment cliff, federal funding cuts, changing perception about the value of a degree and other factors. Striking open too with the closure of Fontbonne U. in St. Louis:
July 1, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Interesting piece from Governing that synthesizes many of the biggest challenges facing higher ed, including enrollment cliff, federal funding cuts, changing perception about the value of a degree and other factors. Striking open too with the closure of Fontbonne U. in St. Louis:
Brief update, Senate version would cap the college endowment tax at 8% instead of the House's max rate of 21%. Also, only three tax tiers now, instead of four. Religious carveout remains in place, via Senate Finance Committee: www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-ne...
June 17, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Brief update, Senate version would cap the college endowment tax at 8% instead of the House's max rate of 21%. Also, only three tax tiers now, instead of four. Religious carveout remains in place, via Senate Finance Committee: www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-ne...
I'm heading to New Orleans this week for the Investigative Reporters and Editors conference! Will also be on a panel Thursday w/ @arionne.bsky.social and @merkolodner.bsky.social talking about some of the underreported but important higher ed stories worth chasing. Let's chat if you're there!
June 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I'm heading to New Orleans this week for the Investigative Reporters and Editors conference! Will also be on a panel Thursday w/ @arionne.bsky.social and @merkolodner.bsky.social talking about some of the underreported but important higher ed stories worth chasing. Let's chat if you're there!
Every time, via recent essay about paying off student loans fast in Biz Insider:
June 16, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Every time, via recent essay about paying off student loans fast in Biz Insider:
Reposted by Chris Quintana
Treasury is developing new rules that would strip the tax-exempt status of colleges that are deemed to be using race in any way, aligning with the administration's executive orders. This flew under the radar yesterday with everything going on.
Treasury Weighs Rules That May End Colleges’ Tax Status Over Race Policies
The US Treasury Department is considering changing rules to revoke tax-exempt status for colleges that consider race in student admissions, scholarships and other areas — potentially threatening the f...
www.bloomberg.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Treasury is developing new rules that would strip the tax-exempt status of colleges that are deemed to be using race in any way, aligning with the administration's executive orders. This flew under the radar yesterday with everything going on.
ED is pressuring Columbia's accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, to take action against the school tied to the government's finding that it violated the rights of Jewish students. Accreditors are a key part of how universities get federal financial aid.
June 4, 2025 at 10:17 PM
ED is pressuring Columbia's accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, to take action against the school tied to the government's finding that it violated the rights of Jewish students. Accreditors are a key part of how universities get federal financial aid.
Reposted by Chris Quintana
Today for @usatoday.com, @chrisquintana.bsky.social and @brieannafrank.bsky.social explore the religious exemption in the big college endowment tax hike included in the White House spending bill. Will every religious institution qualify? www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
With a war on Harvard raging, religious colleges get big tax break in Trump spending bill
Trump's spending bill, now headed to the Senate, would exempt religious colleges from a big tax increase on endowments.
www.usatoday.com
May 29, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Today for @usatoday.com, @chrisquintana.bsky.social and @brieannafrank.bsky.social explore the religious exemption in the big college endowment tax hike included in the White House spending bill. Will every religious institution qualify? www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by Chris Quintana
Hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake for some schools with a new endowment tax plan included in the spending bill. An exemption for religious schools est. after July 4, 1776 has the potential for First Amendment challenges.
More from me/@chrisquintana.bsky.social:
tinyurl.com/s6czkbhn
More from me/@chrisquintana.bsky.social:
tinyurl.com/s6czkbhn
With a war on Harvard raging, religious colleges get big tax break in Trump spending bill
Trump's spending bill, now headed to the Senate, would exempt religious colleges from a big tax increase on endowments.
www.usatoday.com
May 29, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake for some schools with a new endowment tax plan included in the spending bill. An exemption for religious schools est. after July 4, 1776 has the potential for First Amendment challenges.
More from me/@chrisquintana.bsky.social:
tinyurl.com/s6czkbhn
More from me/@chrisquintana.bsky.social:
tinyurl.com/s6czkbhn
Just got off a plane for EWA in St. Louis. Excited to be on a panel tomorrow at 10:45 geared toward comms professionals pitching to journalists! Plan to share some of the most off-topic pitches I've received. If you're there, let's connect!
May 28, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Just got off a plane for EWA in St. Louis. Excited to be on a panel tomorrow at 10:45 geared toward comms professionals pitching to journalists! Plan to share some of the most off-topic pitches I've received. If you're there, let's connect!