Katie Smith
@ksmithedu.bsky.social
Read, write and teach about higher ed and student career development/ opportunity/ outcomes. Sometimes re: STEM. Love writing, rec sports, travel. https://sites.google.com/view/ksmithedu
Reposted by Katie Smith
“The dismantling of Harvard’s diversity offices arrived at Harvard College on Wednesday as websites for centers serving minority students, LGBTQ students, and women disappeared suddenly and without fanfare.”
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Harvard College, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Replace Diversity Offices Amid DEI Purge | News | The Harvard Crimson
The dismantling of Harvard’s diversity offices arrived at Harvard College on Wednesday as websites for centers serving minority students, LGBTQ students, and women disappeared suddenly and without fan...
www.thecrimson.com
July 10, 2025 at 12:21 PM
“The dismantling of Harvard’s diversity offices arrived at Harvard College on Wednesday as websites for centers serving minority students, LGBTQ students, and women disappeared suddenly and without fanfare.”
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Katie Smith
Cool paper with an great title.
Across the world, boys are much more likely to overestimate their math ability than girls.
People from high SES backgrounds do the same
www.iza.org/publications...
Across the world, boys are much more likely to overestimate their math ability than girls.
People from high SES backgrounds do the same
www.iza.org/publications...
July 17, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Cool paper with an great title.
Across the world, boys are much more likely to overestimate their math ability than girls.
People from high SES backgrounds do the same
www.iza.org/publications...
Across the world, boys are much more likely to overestimate their math ability than girls.
People from high SES backgrounds do the same
www.iza.org/publications...
Reposted by Katie Smith
About 250 years ago, an unassuming structure on the campus of William & Mary, housed the Williamsburg Bray School, making it the oldest known building where enslaved and free Black children were formally educated. It is now, on Juneteenth, open to the public.
On Juneteenth, This Williamsburg Schoolhouse Finds a New Life
Beginning on Juneteenth, a restored Virginia schoolhouse where enslaved and free Black students were taught to read is on view in Colonial Williamsburg.
trib.al
June 19, 2025 at 6:40 PM
About 250 years ago, an unassuming structure on the campus of William & Mary, housed the Williamsburg Bray School, making it the oldest known building where enslaved and free Black children were formally educated. It is now, on Juneteenth, open to the public.
I am becoming a bit of a higher ed history nerd. Old photos and records of women's sports are some of my favorite docs. Check out this fun photo of the 1904 Smith College hockey team and their mascot, Max, curtesy of Smith Special Collections.
May 16, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I am becoming a bit of a higher ed history nerd. Old photos and records of women's sports are some of my favorite docs. Check out this fun photo of the 1904 Smith College hockey team and their mascot, Max, curtesy of Smith Special Collections.
I don't have an #NSF grant, but I have spent the past 17 months collaborating with 5 students analyzing open access data from another team's NSF-funded project. Fed investment in education & science is critical for our society, and the benefits are widespread. These cuts have long term implications.
This shameful dismantling of NSF will materially affect the nation's economy, health, national security, and environment. The NSF spokesperson didn't go on the record with their name because they know it's wrong. A coward. www.science.org/content/arti...
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
www.science.org
May 9, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I don't have an #NSF grant, but I have spent the past 17 months collaborating with 5 students analyzing open access data from another team's NSF-funded project. Fed investment in education & science is critical for our society, and the benefits are widespread. These cuts have long term implications.
Reposted by Katie Smith
Surprise surprise! Allowing scientists to have continuity and security in their funding lets them focus on research and ask big questions that require long term support to answer, and that are most likely to have big impacts for humanity. TIL. 🧪
Innovation takes time
US scientists who received renewals from the NIH over the past four decades produced more novel research than those who didn’t
https://go.nature.com/44oKEwV
US scientists who received renewals from the NIH over the past four decades produced more novel research than those who didn’t
https://go.nature.com/44oKEwV
Renewal of NIH grants linked to more innovative results, study finds
Survey of hundreds of scientists’ work suggests that cutting off funding disrupts focus and reduces the novelty of research.
go.nature.com
May 8, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Surprise surprise! Allowing scientists to have continuity and security in their funding lets them focus on research and ask big questions that require long term support to answer, and that are most likely to have big impacts for humanity. TIL. 🧪
Reposted by Katie Smith
President Donald Trump’s administration has pulled close to $10.2 million in federal grants from AmeriCorps projects in Philadelphia, jeopardizing the future of 11 community service programs.
Philly lost $10.2 million in the latest round of DOGE funding cuts to AmeriCorps
The cuts targeted eleven education programs, including CityYear, Teach for America, and Joyful Readers.
www.inquirer.com
May 7, 2025 at 12:11 PM
President Donald Trump’s administration has pulled close to $10.2 million in federal grants from AmeriCorps projects in Philadelphia, jeopardizing the future of 11 community service programs.
Harvard’s website changed to feature research and impact: www.harvard.edu. I know they are private and the literal most well resourced institution in the US, but if you know how hard it is to make even the smallest edit on a college website, this is even more impressive.
Harvard University
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference globally.
www.harvard.edu
April 17, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Harvard’s website changed to feature research and impact: www.harvard.edu. I know they are private and the literal most well resourced institution in the US, but if you know how hard it is to make even the smallest edit on a college website, this is even more impressive.
Reposted by Katie Smith
Gutting. From the Tallahassee Democrat.
April 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Gutting. From the Tallahassee Democrat.
Reposted by Katie Smith
Interesting new research suggesting one reason women are less likely to major in STEM, economics, and business is that they expect to face labor market discrimination later in those fields (so that the return to such majors is lower).
www.nber.org/papers/w33680
www.nber.org/papers/w33680
April 14, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Interesting new research suggesting one reason women are less likely to major in STEM, economics, and business is that they expect to face labor market discrimination later in those fields (so that the return to such majors is lower).
www.nber.org/papers/w33680
www.nber.org/papers/w33680
Reposted by Katie Smith
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.
April 15, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.
Reposted by Katie Smith
If you don't feel like scouring my skyline for all the places I've talked about why encouraging profligate & uncritical use of "AI" in education & public life is is so so so very bad, you can read more on what makes this situation so dangerous & problematic here: afutureworththinkingabout.com?p=5899
So OpenAI is actively marketing ChatGPT to students during college finals season in the U.S.
We've talked many (many) times before about the kinds of harm that can come from giving over too much epistemic and heuristic authority over to these systems, but additionally, there's been at least three…
We've talked many (many) times before about the kinds of harm that can come from giving over too much epistemic and heuristic authority over to these systems, but additionally, there's been at least three…
![Screenshot of ChatpGPT page:
ChaptGPT
Promo: 2 months free for students
ChatGPT Plus is now free for college students through May
Offer valid for students in the US and Canada
[Buttons reading "Claim offer" and "learn more"
An image of a pencil scrawling a scribbly and looping line]
ChatGPT Plus is here to help you through finals](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ybkylffhwhn2an2ic2lxh76k/bafkreidh6mhffosfxhbgnxx6aybjycvgj3c2ygzto2xhzvsohdsv3g6evm@jpeg)
April 4, 2025 at 7:10 PM
If you don't feel like scouring my skyline for all the places I've talked about why encouraging profligate & uncritical use of "AI" in education & public life is is so so so very bad, you can read more on what makes this situation so dangerous & problematic here: afutureworththinkingabout.com?p=5899
Reposted by Katie Smith
Pieces like this are why I'm concerned about the ability of students to get financial aid on time in the fall...and for some small colleges to make payroll as a result. Even if there is no intent to cut aid, there don't seem to be the staff to handle inevitable issues that arise.
Education Department Staff Struggle After Mass Layoffs
The Trump administration said its sweeping cuts would eliminate bloat at the department. Staff say the “chaotic” process has stalled essential functions and left remaining employees with unmanageable ...
www.insidehighered.com
March 25, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Pieces like this are why I'm concerned about the ability of students to get financial aid on time in the fall...and for some small colleges to make payroll as a result. Even if there is no intent to cut aid, there don't seem to be the staff to handle inevitable issues that arise.
Reposted by Katie Smith
In case you wanted to know some of my thoughts on how student loans would be affected by all this nonsense...here you go! Gift link.
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
March 20, 2025 at 11:27 PM
In case you wanted to know some of my thoughts on how student loans would be affected by all this nonsense...here you go! Gift link.
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
Reposted by Katie Smith
In addition to being morally wrong this is also just plain old wrong as shown by research by @kevinshih.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
March 21, 2025 at 11:24 AM
In addition to being morally wrong this is also just plain old wrong as shown by research by @kevinshih.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Katie Smith
AERA has just learned that all restricted-use NCES data licenses will be cancelled, possibly as early as March 20. We urgently request that all AERA members and others in the research community with restricted-use licenses take these two actions: www.aera.net/Research-Pol...
March 14, 2025 at 7:09 PM
AERA has just learned that all restricted-use NCES data licenses will be cancelled, possibly as early as March 20. We urgently request that all AERA members and others in the research community with restricted-use licenses take these two actions: www.aera.net/Research-Pol...
Reposted by Katie Smith
We're hearing from multiple sources that all U.S. Dept. of Ed buildings are closing at 6 p.m. and are closed tomorrow. Email to staff cites "security reasons."
"Employees will not be permitted in any ED facility on Wednesday, March 12th, for any reason." @jodiscohen.bsky.social and I are following
"Employees will not be permitted in any ED facility on Wednesday, March 12th, for any reason." @jodiscohen.bsky.social and I are following
March 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM
We're hearing from multiple sources that all U.S. Dept. of Ed buildings are closing at 6 p.m. and are closed tomorrow. Email to staff cites "security reasons."
"Employees will not be permitted in any ED facility on Wednesday, March 12th, for any reason." @jodiscohen.bsky.social and I are following
"Employees will not be permitted in any ED facility on Wednesday, March 12th, for any reason." @jodiscohen.bsky.social and I are following
Reposted by Katie Smith
I'm appalled by the USDA's decision to pause funding to the University of Maine System.
This will hurt our farmers, halt critical research, and impact students throughout Maine.
Once again, our state is being targeted for retribution—all because our officials are standing up for the rule of law.
This will hurt our farmers, halt critical research, and impact students throughout Maine.
Once again, our state is being targeted for retribution—all because our officials are standing up for the rule of law.
USDA halts more than $100M in funding for University of Maine System programs
The move temporarily pauses USDA funding for Maine's university system after President Donald Trump threatened to cut off the state over Maine's decision to allow transgender athletes to compete in sp...
www.pressherald.com
March 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I'm appalled by the USDA's decision to pause funding to the University of Maine System.
This will hurt our farmers, halt critical research, and impact students throughout Maine.
Once again, our state is being targeted for retribution—all because our officials are standing up for the rule of law.
This will hurt our farmers, halt critical research, and impact students throughout Maine.
Once again, our state is being targeted for retribution—all because our officials are standing up for the rule of law.
Reposted by Katie Smith
NEW: Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.
https://propub.li/43487Tj
https://propub.li/43487Tj
Texas Banned Abortion. Then Sepsis Rates Soared.
ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis is the most detailed look yet into a rise in life-threatening complications for women experiencing pregnancy loss under Texas’ abortion ban.
propub.li
February 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW: Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.
https://propub.li/43487Tj
https://propub.li/43487Tj
Tough to see my alma mater (SUNY Geneseo) and a number of other upstate NY institutions on these lists
Using new IPEDS finance data, I took a look at the public and private colleges that consistently lose money. Forty-nine of the nearly 1,500 four-year institutions with available data lost money in eight or more of the last ten years--not a good sign. robertkelchen.com/2025/01/07/w...
Which Colleges Always Lose Money?
It is safe to say that there is a lot of concern right now about the financial viability of higher education. And while I think fewer colleges are going to close than pundits predict (and check out…
robertkelchen.com
January 8, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Tough to see my alma mater (SUNY Geneseo) and a number of other upstate NY institutions on these lists
Reposted by Katie Smith
CALL FOR PAPERS
The Sociological Quarterly will be publishing an upcoming special issue on student activism. The deadline to submit an abstract is Jan. 15, 2025.
For more information on the special issue, and instructions on submitting an abstract, go to think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...
The Sociological Quarterly will be publishing an upcoming special issue on student activism. The deadline to submit an abstract is Jan. 15, 2025.
For more information on the special issue, and instructions on submitting an abstract, go to think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...
December 17, 2024 at 3:13 PM
CALL FOR PAPERS
The Sociological Quarterly will be publishing an upcoming special issue on student activism. The deadline to submit an abstract is Jan. 15, 2025.
For more information on the special issue, and instructions on submitting an abstract, go to think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...
The Sociological Quarterly will be publishing an upcoming special issue on student activism. The deadline to submit an abstract is Jan. 15, 2025.
For more information on the special issue, and instructions on submitting an abstract, go to think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...
I've been doing follow up interviews with participants from my dissertation about their careers. In college, they chose to be teachers. Today, most plan to leave teaching (or already have). It's a small sample, but a bit sad to see how some of these dreams have unfolded.
December 16, 2024 at 12:55 PM
I've been doing follow up interviews with participants from my dissertation about their careers. In college, they chose to be teachers. Today, most plan to leave teaching (or already have). It's a small sample, but a bit sad to see how some of these dreams have unfolded.
Well isn’t this an interesting little piece of PA history—The Steelers and Eagles were once the same team. Here’s the history of the short-lived Steagles. www.inquirer.com/eagles/steag...
The Steelers and Eagles were once the same team. Here’s the history of the short-lived Steagles.
World War II left the Eagles and Steelers short on players — so they combined to form the Steagles, a team that lasted only one year, perhaps in part due to two coaches who couldn't get along.
www.inquirer.com
December 13, 2024 at 5:12 PM
Well isn’t this an interesting little piece of PA history—The Steelers and Eagles were once the same team. Here’s the history of the short-lived Steagles. www.inquirer.com/eagles/steag...
Reposted by Katie Smith
UVA Students Resume Campus History Tours Without Officials’ Approval
In August, administrators banned the volunteer student guide service from giving university-sanctioned historic tours. Now, the club has decided to go out on its own. #HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky bit.ly/3Bpvyeu
In August, administrators banned the volunteer student guide service from giving university-sanctioned historic tours. Now, the club has decided to go out on its own. #HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky bit.ly/3Bpvyeu
UVA students resume history tours without officials' approval
In August, administrators banned the volunteer student guide service from giving university-sanctioned historic tours. Now, the club has decided to go out on its own.
bit.ly
December 10, 2024 at 6:21 PM
UVA Students Resume Campus History Tours Without Officials’ Approval
In August, administrators banned the volunteer student guide service from giving university-sanctioned historic tours. Now, the club has decided to go out on its own. #HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky bit.ly/3Bpvyeu
In August, administrators banned the volunteer student guide service from giving university-sanctioned historic tours. Now, the club has decided to go out on its own. #HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky bit.ly/3Bpvyeu
Doctor's offices doing wild things out here.
December 10, 2024 at 5:36 PM
Doctor's offices doing wild things out here.