Sara Hebel
@shebel.bsky.social
Co-founder & Editor-in-chief, @opencampus.bsky.social
Pinned
Sara Hebel
@shebel.bsky.social
· Mar 14
We're offering free @opencampus.org reporting resources and support for local newsrooms to cover what's at stake for their campuses and their communities under Trump. Reporters and editors can sign up here: www.opencampus.org/higher-ed-un...
Reposted by Sara Hebel
INN newsrooms like @opencampus.org and @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social are rewriting the rules of beat reporting, writes INN's Alana Rocha.
The key? Collaboration. news.inn.org/how-nonprofi...
The key? Collaboration. news.inn.org/how-nonprofi...
How nonprofit newsrooms are rewriting the rules of beat reporting - INN News
From Arizona to Maine, INN members are proving that collaboration isn’t just a budget fix — it’s a better way to serve communities.
news.inn.org
July 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
INN newsrooms like @opencampus.org and @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social are rewriting the rules of beat reporting, writes INN's Alana Rocha.
The key? Collaboration. news.inn.org/how-nonprofi...
The key? Collaboration. news.inn.org/how-nonprofi...
Reposted by Sara Hebel
Puerto Rico is one of the regions most affected by the global climate crisis. Local scientists are struggling with canceled research grants and funding cuts from federal agencies. By Víctor Rodríguez Velázquez for our local partner @cpipr.bsky.social www.opencampus.org/2025/03/17/t...
The Trump Administration’s Climate Policies Jeopardize Research in Disaster-Prone Puerto Rico - Open Campus
Puerto Rico currently has 107 active NIH-funded grants totaling $78.5 million.
www.opencampus.org
March 19, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Puerto Rico is one of the regions most affected by the global climate crisis. Local scientists are struggling with canceled research grants and funding cuts from federal agencies. By Víctor Rodríguez Velázquez for our local partner @cpipr.bsky.social www.opencampus.org/2025/03/17/t...
Reposted by Sara Hebel
First they came for Columbia... "So far, America’s leading universities have remained virtually silent in the face of this authoritarian assault on institutions of higher education. That must change."
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
First They Came for Columbia | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
We must learn from the past. We cannot remain silent in the face of authoritarian attacks on our peers, even if they have not yet come for us.
www.thecrimson.com
March 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
First they came for Columbia... "So far, America’s leading universities have remained virtually silent in the face of this authoritarian assault on institutions of higher education. That must change."
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
We're offering free @opencampus.org reporting resources and support for local newsrooms to cover what's at stake for their campuses and their communities under Trump. Reporters and editors can sign up here: www.opencampus.org/higher-ed-un...
March 14, 2025 at 8:43 PM
We're offering free @opencampus.org reporting resources and support for local newsrooms to cover what's at stake for their campuses and their communities under Trump. Reporters and editors can sign up here: www.opencampus.org/higher-ed-un...
Reposted by Sara Hebel
We love how Stephanie Wang of @luminafoundation.bsky.social described us during @sxswedu.com: "Open Campus is like a power-up in Super Mario Brothers. You're instantly supercharged...to cover higher education because of their deep expertise and understanding of the context across different states."
March 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
We love how Stephanie Wang of @luminafoundation.bsky.social described us during @sxswedu.com: "Open Campus is like a power-up in Super Mario Brothers. You're instantly supercharged...to cover higher education because of their deep expertise and understanding of the context across different states."
Reposted by Sara Hebel
"We are trying to work to help people in communities have the information they need to understand what policy makers are doing, what that means for them, and giving them the power that they need to be active in the conversation [about higher education]." - @shebel.bsky.social at @sxswedu.com
March 6, 2025 at 10:15 PM
"We are trying to work to help people in communities have the information they need to understand what policy makers are doing, what that means for them, and giving them the power that they need to be active in the conversation [about higher education]." - @shebel.bsky.social at @sxswedu.com
I'll be headed to Austin in two weeks for @sxswedu.com to talk about new models for local news and how we're working at @opencampus.org to rebuild public trust in both journalism and higher ed. Come join the conversation at 10 a.m. Central on March 6. lnkd.in/eev3R5TE
February 21, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I'll be headed to Austin in two weeks for @sxswedu.com to talk about new models for local news and how we're working at @opencampus.org to rebuild public trust in both journalism and higher ed. Come join the conversation at 10 a.m. Central on March 6. lnkd.in/eev3R5TE
Reposted by Sara Hebel
Ted Mitchell of the American Council on Education urged college leaders not to engage in "over-compliance" in response to the Ed Dept.'s recent DEI guidance. But many college leaders aren't sounding all that ready for a fight. www.linkedin.com/posts/sara-h...
Sara Hebel on LinkedIn: Ted Mitchell of the American Council on Education urged college leaders…
Ted Mitchell of the American Council on Education urged college leaders this week not to engage in "over-compliance" or "anticipatory compliance" in response…
www.linkedin.com
February 19, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Ted Mitchell of the American Council on Education urged college leaders not to engage in "over-compliance" in response to the Ed Dept.'s recent DEI guidance. But many college leaders aren't sounding all that ready for a fight. www.linkedin.com/posts/sara-h...
Reposted by Sara Hebel
Our reporters @texastribune.org detail the conservative vision the Texas Legislature continues to press for higher ed, with proposals that would limit what can be taught and who can be hired at the state's universities and end in-state tuition for undocumented students.
Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdown
Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdown
Legislators are expected to take up a $360 million proposal that would change the landscape of financial aid in the state.
www.texastribune.org
February 6, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Our reporters @texastribune.org detail the conservative vision the Texas Legislature continues to press for higher ed, with proposals that would limit what can be taught and who can be hired at the state's universities and end in-state tuition for undocumented students.
Reposted by Sara Hebel
With Trump’s threats of mass deportations, Chicago-area students with undocumented parents are weighing whether to fill out the FAFSA, our reporter @lkpwrites.bsky.social writes. If they do, they risk outing their undocumented parents. But if they don’t, they could lose out on the chance at college.
High schoolers with undocumented parents are weighing whether it’s worth it to fill out the FAFSA. “It’s creating an additional barrier to keep brown kids out of college,” said Aidé Acosta, chief college officer for the Noble Schools charter network in Chicago. www.wbez.org/education/20...
Under Trump administration, some Chicago students think twice about FAFSA
If they submit the financial aid application, students risk outing their undocumented parents. But if they don't, they could lose out on the chance at college.
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
With Trump’s threats of mass deportations, Chicago-area students with undocumented parents are weighing whether to fill out the FAFSA, our reporter @lkpwrites.bsky.social writes. If they do, they risk outing their undocumented parents. But if they don’t, they could lose out on the chance at college.
Our @opencampus.org reporters are sorting through the possible effects of the latest executive orders in their communities, and it’s a reminder of just how far-reaching the work of higher ed is in society. www.linkedin.com/posts/sara-h...
Sara Hebel on LinkedIn: As we work with our Open Campus reporters across the country to sort…
As we work with our Open Campus reporters across the country to sort through the latest executive orders on federal funding, it’s a reminder of just how…
www.linkedin.com
January 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Our @opencampus.org reporters are sorting through the possible effects of the latest executive orders in their communities, and it’s a reminder of just how far-reaching the work of higher ed is in society. www.linkedin.com/posts/sara-h...
Reposted by Sara Hebel
Come join us in Austin! @charlottewest.bsky.social and @shebel.bsky.social are both speaking at #SXSWEDU2024 www.opencampusmedia.org/2025/01/14/o...
Open Campus journalists to speak on panels at SXSW EDU - Open Campus
Open Campus journalists will be speaking in March at SXSW EDU in Austin.
www.opencampusmedia.org
January 15, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Come join us in Austin! @charlottewest.bsky.social and @shebel.bsky.social are both speaking at #SXSWEDU2024 www.opencampusmedia.org/2025/01/14/o...
We're hiring an editor to work with our local network of higher ed reporters, now in 17 locations across the country. We're looking for a bilingual journalist who can help us expand our capacity to serve Spanish-speaking communities across the U.S. www.opencampusmedia.org/2025/01/07/o...
January 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
We're hiring an editor to work with our local network of higher ed reporters, now in 17 locations across the country. We're looking for a bilingual journalist who can help us expand our capacity to serve Spanish-speaking communities across the U.S. www.opencampusmedia.org/2025/01/07/o...
Reposted by Sara Hebel
We're adding 3 new partners to our Local Network: @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social, @sareport.bsky.social, & Centro de Periodismo Investigativo in Puerto Rico.
That means we now support 20 reporters in 17 newsrooms, reaching more than 18 million readers a month. www.opencampusmedia.org/2025/01/08/o...
That means we now support 20 reporters in 17 newsrooms, reaching more than 18 million readers a month. www.opencampusmedia.org/2025/01/08/o...
January 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
We're adding 3 new partners to our Local Network: @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social, @sareport.bsky.social, & Centro de Periodismo Investigativo in Puerto Rico.
That means we now support 20 reporters in 17 newsrooms, reaching more than 18 million readers a month. www.opencampusmedia.org/2025/01/08/o...
That means we now support 20 reporters in 17 newsrooms, reaching more than 18 million readers a month. www.opencampusmedia.org/2025/01/08/o...
Reposted by Sara Hebel
We're adding a 5th Texas location, partnering with @sareport.bsky.social to add a full-time higher ed reporter there. This person will join our growing Open Campus Local Network, now in 17 places across the country. To work with us in San Antonio, apply here: www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/41...
January 3, 2025 at 9:38 PM
We're adding a 5th Texas location, partnering with @sareport.bsky.social to add a full-time higher ed reporter there. This person will join our growing Open Campus Local Network, now in 17 places across the country. To work with us in San Antonio, apply here: www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/41...
We see the power of beat reporting across our Local Network every day. It reminds leaders of their public duty & makes them more responsive to community needs. In 2024, @opencampus.org reporters wrote more than 500 stories. They spurred action & helped people understand how they can press for change
The stories our Local Network reporters told in 2024 changed institutional practices and the course of public policy debates. And they connected with new audiences, helping people understand how they can press for change. bit.ly/4gpj6KS
Open Campus reporters told more than 500 stories in 2024. Here's why they matter. - Open Campus
Open Campus launched a statewide network, powered confident local beat reporting, and spurred action.
bit.ly
December 19, 2024 at 9:49 PM
We see the power of beat reporting across our Local Network every day. It reminds leaders of their public duty & makes them more responsive to community needs. In 2024, @opencampus.org reporters wrote more than 500 stories. They spurred action & helped people understand how they can press for change
We're expanding in the Midwest. Come work with us @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social.
We're excited to be working with @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social on a new beat, focused on the role of higher ed in meeting the needs of the state's changing economy. They become the 15th partner newsroom in our Local Network.
Apply for the full-time reporter job: jobs.gusto.com/postings/wis...
Apply for the full-time reporter job: jobs.gusto.com/postings/wis...
December 13, 2024 at 5:06 PM
We're expanding in the Midwest. Come work with us @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social.
5 years ago we started @opencampus.bsky.social with the goal of improving the coverage Americans get of the colleges that matter most to them: the ones in their back yard.
We're now in 15 locations & plan to be in all 50 states. Our year-end fundraising helps us get there. donorbox.org/open-campus
We're now in 15 locations & plan to be in all 50 states. Our year-end fundraising helps us get there. donorbox.org/open-campus
Higher ed shapes the future of every community in America. That’s why we put people on the beat in local newsrooms across the country.
Help us continue to do this important work. Donations to Open Campus are matched up to $1,000 per person through Dec. 31. donorbox.org/open-campus
Help us continue to do this important work. Donations to Open Campus are matched up to $1,000 per person through Dec. 31. donorbox.org/open-campus
December 3, 2024 at 4:25 PM
5 years ago we started @opencampus.bsky.social with the goal of improving the coverage Americans get of the colleges that matter most to them: the ones in their back yard.
We're now in 15 locations & plan to be in all 50 states. Our year-end fundraising helps us get there. donorbox.org/open-campus
We're now in 15 locations & plan to be in all 50 states. Our year-end fundraising helps us get there. donorbox.org/open-campus
Reposted by Sara Hebel
“All you hear is, ‘We used to have this, because we used to have more students.’” Across the country, regional publics in rural areas are scrapping degree programs to ease budget shortfalls.
Our local reporters collaborated with @hechingerreport.org:
www.opencampusmedia.org/2024/11/26/e...
Our local reporters collaborated with @hechingerreport.org:
www.opencampusmedia.org/2024/11/26/e...
‘Easy to just write us off’: Rural students’ options shrink as colleges slash majors - Open Campus
As enrollments fall, rural-serving universities are shedding degree programs from music to chemistry.
www.opencampusmedia.org
November 26, 2024 at 3:10 PM
“All you hear is, ‘We used to have this, because we used to have more students.’” Across the country, regional publics in rural areas are scrapping degree programs to ease budget shortfalls.
Our local reporters collaborated with @hechingerreport.org:
www.opencampusmedia.org/2024/11/26/e...
Our local reporters collaborated with @hechingerreport.org:
www.opencampusmedia.org/2024/11/26/e...
Reposted by Sara Hebel
Rural colleges and universities continue to cut dozens of majors, leaving rural students with far fewer choices than urban and suburban students get. tinyurl.com/56uas5vx @hechingerreport.org @opencampus.bsky.social
‘Easy to just write us off’: Rural students’ choices shrink as colleges slash majors - The Hechinger Report
Rural Americans already have less access to higher education than people in cities and suburbs. Now the comparatively few universities serving rural students are cutting large numbers of programs and ...
tinyurl.com
November 26, 2024 at 10:19 AM
Rural colleges and universities continue to cut dozens of majors, leaving rural students with far fewer choices than urban and suburban students get. tinyurl.com/56uas5vx @hechingerreport.org @opencampus.bsky.social
Reposted by Sara Hebel
Arizona is the only state with an English-only law still in effect. Many of the state's Republican leaders are committed to it, but evidence shows it's not working for the thousands of students who are English learners.
We collaborated on this story with @azluminaria.bsky.social
We collaborated on this story with @azluminaria.bsky.social
Republican education superintendent Tom Horne is back and reigniting his push for the outlier English-only policy.
“It’s terrible. It’s the worst thing you could do to kids. It really truly is,” says one expert.
“It’s terrible. It’s the worst thing you could do to kids. It really truly is,” says one expert.
Arizona is the only state that separates students under English-only laws. A mountain of evidence shows it doesn’t work. - AZ Luminaria
Arizona is the only state with English-only legislation still in effect. Under the state’s laws and policies, children who aren’t proficient in English are segregated at school for hours from their pe...
azluminaria.org
November 22, 2024 at 4:14 PM
Arizona is the only state with an English-only law still in effect. Many of the state's Republican leaders are committed to it, but evidence shows it's not working for the thousands of students who are English learners.
We collaborated on this story with @azluminaria.bsky.social
We collaborated on this story with @azluminaria.bsky.social
Reposted by Sara Hebel
A tuition freeze can be a double-edged sword for students, who may see smaller bills but also reduced services as universities, especially regional publics, face rising costs.
Two of our reporters, Kate McGee and Shomial Ahmad, teamed up to tell this story: www.opencampusmedia.org/2024/11/22/a...
Two of our reporters, Kate McGee and Shomial Ahmad, teamed up to tell this story: www.opencampusmedia.org/2024/11/22/a...
A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strapped - Open Campus
Regional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov. Greg Abbott’s desire to pause increases could create tight financial conditions.
www.opencampusmedia.org
November 22, 2024 at 4:38 PM
A tuition freeze can be a double-edged sword for students, who may see smaller bills but also reduced services as universities, especially regional publics, face rising costs.
Two of our reporters, Kate McGee and Shomial Ahmad, teamed up to tell this story: www.opencampusmedia.org/2024/11/22/a...
Two of our reporters, Kate McGee and Shomial Ahmad, teamed up to tell this story: www.opencampusmedia.org/2024/11/22/a...
Our @opencampus.bsky.social newsletter focuses on the role of higher ed in society and how it shapes the communities where we work. Sign up here: www.opencampusmedia.org/category/new...
New from @opencampus.bsky.social: "A FAFSA bright spot
We've entered a new FAFSA cycle, and the stakes are high after last year's challenges. A new analysis shows progress in getting low-income students to complete the financial aid application." open-campus-dispatch.beehiiv.com/p/a-fafsa-br...
We've entered a new FAFSA cycle, and the stakes are high after last year's challenges. A new analysis shows progress in getting low-income students to complete the financial aid application." open-campus-dispatch.beehiiv.com/p/a-fafsa-br...
A FAFSA bright spot
We've entered a new FAFSA cycle, and the stakes are high after last year's challenges. A new analysis shows progress in getting low-income students to complete the financial aid application.
open-campus-dispatch.beehiiv.com
November 22, 2024 at 4:50 PM
Our @opencampus.bsky.social newsletter focuses on the role of higher ed in society and how it shapes the communities where we work. Sign up here: www.opencampusmedia.org/category/new...
Reposted by Sara Hebel
The latest from our Mississippi reporter @mintamolly.bsky.social. This move, Molly writes, comes after several Miss. universities renamed their diversity offices. The U. of Southern Mississippi’s mission and vision statements also were changed to remove the words “diverse” and “inclusiveness.”
Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees , which oversees the state's public universities, voted Thursday to delete the word “diversity” from several policies.
buff.ly/3ZsK8eB
buff.ly/3ZsK8eB
IHL deletes the word 'diversity' from its policies
Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees , which oversees the state's public universities, voted Thursday to delete the word “diversity” from several policies.
buff.ly
November 21, 2024 at 8:54 PM
The latest from our Mississippi reporter @mintamolly.bsky.social. This move, Molly writes, comes after several Miss. universities renamed their diversity offices. The U. of Southern Mississippi’s mission and vision statements also were changed to remove the words “diverse” and “inclusiveness.”