Kevin R. McClure
@drkevinrmcclure.com
Professor of Higher Ed & Dept Chair | Author of The Caring University (JHUP, 2025) | Co-Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges | Columnist at The Chronicle of Higher Education
I'm gonna pull an excerpt of my book for something, which means I've got it popped open, and let me tell you, there's nothing cringier than a family member walking by as you read your own book.
December 26, 2025 at 7:14 PM
I'm gonna pull an excerpt of my book for something, which means I've got it popped open, and let me tell you, there's nothing cringier than a family member walking by as you read your own book.
For Christmas, we added 7 USB-C plugs to our growing collection.
December 26, 2025 at 3:50 PM
For Christmas, we added 7 USB-C plugs to our growing collection.
Very scientific poll: Is the pay disparity between professors in different disciplines absurd or entirely reasonable?
Let's control this a little bit, and we'll say: professors at mid-sized public university where there's a pretty even emphasis on teaching and research.
Let's control this a little bit, and we'll say: professors at mid-sized public university where there's a pretty even emphasis on teaching and research.
December 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Very scientific poll: Is the pay disparity between professors in different disciplines absurd or entirely reasonable?
Let's control this a little bit, and we'll say: professors at mid-sized public university where there's a pretty even emphasis on teaching and research.
Let's control this a little bit, and we'll say: professors at mid-sized public university where there's a pretty even emphasis on teaching and research.
By all means, send those emails on Dec. 19. Just don't expect a response.
December 19, 2025 at 9:17 PM
By all means, send those emails on Dec. 19. Just don't expect a response.
Good non-fiction you've read? Probably more in the popular non-fiction versus academic non-fiction realm. (sorry)
And I'm not sure my spirit can handle anything we might consider "current events."
Thinking more biography, popular history, interesting stories, etc.
And I'm not sure my spirit can handle anything we might consider "current events."
Thinking more biography, popular history, interesting stories, etc.
December 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Good non-fiction you've read? Probably more in the popular non-fiction versus academic non-fiction realm. (sorry)
And I'm not sure my spirit can handle anything we might consider "current events."
Thinking more biography, popular history, interesting stories, etc.
And I'm not sure my spirit can handle anything we might consider "current events."
Thinking more biography, popular history, interesting stories, etc.
End of semester email volume as a chair is off the charts.
December 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
End of semester email volume as a chair is off the charts.
Have not regretted this purchase one bit this year. It does a nice job with dress shirts and suits. Gets a little tricky size-wise for any work trip longer than 3 days. halfdaytravel.com/products/car...
Carry-On Garment Roller
The versatile 2-in-1 Carry-On Garment Roller features a built-in garment bag that zips away when not in use. Whether you’re packing a tux or track pants, it rolls smoothly, fits in most overhead bins,...
halfdaytravel.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Have not regretted this purchase one bit this year. It does a nice job with dress shirts and suits. Gets a little tricky size-wise for any work trip longer than 3 days. halfdaytravel.com/products/car...
My pro tip for faculty: go to graduation.
It’s good for the soul.
It’s good for the soul.
December 13, 2025 at 3:51 PM
My pro tip for faculty: go to graduation.
It’s good for the soul.
It’s good for the soul.
I have listened to this Geese album that's received all the buzz this year and...maybe I'm too old.
December 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
I have listened to this Geese album that's received all the buzz this year and...maybe I'm too old.
Reading a piece that calls flagships "anarchically self-organizing." Is that a thing? Must be delightful trying to pass policy.
December 12, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Reading a piece that calls flagships "anarchically self-organizing." Is that a thing? Must be delightful trying to pass policy.
A thread on a specific public higher ed system but reflects the moment quite well and somehow makes me feel worse with every post.
it’s been very quick and not covered outside the state to my knowledge. looks a little like a quiet coup.
in october, a BOR exit to serve as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education for the United States Department of Education. who knows where that goes dailyiowan.com/2025/10/08/i...
in october, a BOR exit to serve as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education for the United States Department of Education. who knows where that goes dailyiowan.com/2025/10/08/i...
Former Iowa Regent David Barker appointed to U.S. Department of Education
David Barker, a former Iowa Board of Regents member, was appointed the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education for the U.S. Department of Education Wednesday. Barker was nominated for the posi...
dailyiowan.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:45 PM
A thread on a specific public higher ed system but reflects the moment quite well and somehow makes me feel worse with every post.
You have to get your kids to school for so many years, it’s wild.
December 12, 2025 at 1:46 AM
You have to get your kids to school for so many years, it’s wild.
Probably one of the best analyses of this moment I’ve read. kyla.substack.com/p/everyone-i...
Everyone is Gambling and No One is Happy
Vibes, AI, open-mouth coughing, and lessons from 40 weeks of travel
kyla.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Probably one of the best analyses of this moment I’ve read. kyla.substack.com/p/everyone-i...
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
Opinion | Academics increasingly don't have the tenure protections the public loves to complain about. https://chroni.cl/4a6GYTm
Opinion | Is Any Professor Safe From Being Fired Anymore?
Academics are just the latest to confront the vanishing promise of job security in America.
chroni.cl
December 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Opinion | Academics increasingly don't have the tenure protections the public loves to complain about. https://chroni.cl/4a6GYTm
My hair stylist told me yesterday she can always tell how the economy is doing by how their business is doing this time of year. It's been slower - fewer services, longer stretches before women get their haircut.
December 11, 2025 at 12:44 PM
My hair stylist told me yesterday she can always tell how the economy is doing by how their business is doing this time of year. It's been slower - fewer services, longer stretches before women get their haircut.
I’m a little out of my league on this one but interested in writing something on the rise of “metrics” in higher ed and how they are increasingly shaping our work.
The simplification and quantification of everything. The veneer of objectivity. The perception of efficiency.
Too niche?
The simplification and quantification of everything. The veneer of objectivity. The perception of efficiency.
Too niche?
December 11, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I’m a little out of my league on this one but interested in writing something on the rise of “metrics” in higher ed and how they are increasingly shaping our work.
The simplification and quantification of everything. The veneer of objectivity. The perception of efficiency.
Too niche?
The simplification and quantification of everything. The veneer of objectivity. The perception of efficiency.
Too niche?
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
I had a long talk with someone yesterday about how all prior logic and norms about the labor market have been called off because capital is in the final push to finally casualize white collar workers the way they’ve long wanted to do. From AI to non-competes to this. They smell blood in the water.
"Last month marked the third time since 2008 that layoffs in November exceeded 70,000, with the other two times being in 2008 and 2022."
@paigemcglauflin.bsky.social reports.
www.hr-brew.com/stories/2025...
@paigemcglauflin.bsky.social reports.
www.hr-brew.com/stories/2025...
Employers seemingly disregard etiquette, laying off employees right before the holidays
The once common ritual fell out of fashion following the Great Recession, until this year.
www.hr-brew.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
I had a long talk with someone yesterday about how all prior logic and norms about the labor market have been called off because capital is in the final push to finally casualize white collar workers the way they’ve long wanted to do. From AI to non-competes to this. They smell blood in the water.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
I return to the thoughts I had about what SACS and the AAUP had to do to get universities to integrate. Why are we pretending that it won't take the same level of pressure to stop the current push to re-segregate?
bsky.app/profile/bake...
bsky.app/profile/bake...
When we say the AAUP and accreditors like SACS could be doing more, this is what we mean
(From Jim Crow Campus by Williamson-Lott)
(From Jim Crow Campus by Williamson-Lott)
December 10, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I return to the thoughts I had about what SACS and the AAUP had to do to get universities to integrate. Why are we pretending that it won't take the same level of pressure to stop the current push to re-segregate?
bsky.app/profile/bake...
bsky.app/profile/bake...
Stop lying.
Cafes across the U.S. are embracing the low- and no-caffeine lifestyle, with options that are a far cry from dusty tea bags and rewarmed decaf. nyti.ms/3XKlqoj
December 10, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Stop lying.
I'm surprised by the number of people who message me asking if I'd like to collaborate.
I suppose all collaborations start somewhere, but usually, I think, after at least an initial meeting so we're not strangers?
I don't think I'd ever just cold message someone and ask to collaborate.
I suppose all collaborations start somewhere, but usually, I think, after at least an initial meeting so we're not strangers?
I don't think I'd ever just cold message someone and ask to collaborate.
December 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
I'm surprised by the number of people who message me asking if I'd like to collaborate.
I suppose all collaborations start somewhere, but usually, I think, after at least an initial meeting so we're not strangers?
I don't think I'd ever just cold message someone and ask to collaborate.
I suppose all collaborations start somewhere, but usually, I think, after at least an initial meeting so we're not strangers?
I don't think I'd ever just cold message someone and ask to collaborate.
I need everything to have the email-a-code login option.
December 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I need everything to have the email-a-code login option.
I am genuinely curious about his writing process. I feel like I’ve read he does everything by phone, but that’s a long post. Is it voice to text? Does he go back and add the capitalizations? Does he dictate and another person just knows to capitalize stuff?
Every part of this is bonkers. The intro is bonkers. The transition to his health is bonkers. The mention that other presidents didn't need cognitive exams is bonkers. The claim that this screening test is somehow hard is bonkers. The idea that criticism of him is treason is bonkers. All of it.
December 10, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I am genuinely curious about his writing process. I feel like I’ve read he does everything by phone, but that’s a long post. Is it voice to text? Does he go back and add the capitalizations? Does he dictate and another person just knows to capitalize stuff?
This is by far the most airtime the Martin Center has received. It’s trudged along for years with faculty grievance blog posts and subpar analyses thanks to a steady flow of Pope money.
December 10, 2025 at 2:15 AM
This is by far the most airtime the Martin Center has received. It’s trudged along for years with faculty grievance blog posts and subpar analyses thanks to a steady flow of Pope money.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
"I can't afford to support my favorite author right now, I—"
Reviews.
Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.)
Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!
Reviews.
Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.)
Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!
December 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM
"I can't afford to support my favorite author right now, I—"
Reviews.
Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.)
Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!
Reviews.
Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.)
Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!
Dad reminder: don’t fall behind on your recycling in the next couple of weeks.
a man in a blue shirt is sitting in a kitchen and says i 'm the cool dad that 's my thang
ALT: a man in a blue shirt is sitting in a kitchen and says i 'm the cool dad that 's my thang
media.tenor.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Dad reminder: don’t fall behind on your recycling in the next couple of weeks.