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Oliver Buchannon
Colleen Murphy

Managing Editor at Open Campus

Many Black graduates of for-profit colleges wouldn’t choose them again

Mar 13, 2026

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8 min read

Many Black graduates of for-profit colleges wouldn’t choose them again

Focus group participants said they enrolled with limited information, received little support and often graduated with heavy debt.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
FAFSA completions on track for record-breaking year

Feb 27, 2026

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7 min read

FAFSA completions on track for record-breaking year

So far, 43% of high school seniors have completed the application, unlocking access to federal financial aid.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Why higher ed is a 'vital part' of state economies

Feb 13, 2026

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7 min read

Why higher ed is a 'vital part' of state economies

The median U.S. household takes home nearly $20,000 more in income than it did 50 years ago. A key reason? College.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Colleges, employers ask each other: ‘How can I help you?’

Jan 30, 2026

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6 min read

Colleges, employers ask each other: ‘How can I help you?’

They're working together to create clear pathways into good-paying jobs that meet student needs and employer demands.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Why men are more likely than women to drop out of college

Jan 16, 2026

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7 min read

Why men are more likely than women to drop out of college

Men make up 42% of undergraduates and half of all stopouts, according to new data.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Pay rent or pay loans? Student borrowers are forced to choose.

Dec 10, 2025

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7 min read

Pay rent or pay loans? Student borrowers are forced to choose.

A new study found that many can't afford to make loan payments as the cost of living rises.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Colleges are enrolling students with weak math skills. Here's why that matters.

Dec 5, 2025

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7 min read

Colleges are enrolling students with weak math skills. Here's why that matters.

In the last five years, the number of UC San Diego students whose math skills are below the high-school level has increased nearly thirtyfold. That's just one example.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
A slump in international student enrollment

Nov 21, 2025

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6 min read

A slump in international student enrollment

While the number of international students on U.S. campuses started to decline before President Donald Trump took office, his policies since then have further targeted them.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Trump's compact is latest attempt to wield influence on campuses

Oct 31, 2025

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7 min read

Trump's compact is latest attempt to wield influence on campuses

New polling shows it's an unpopular strategy.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Midwestern college students face higher than average costs

Oct 17, 2025

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8 min read

Midwestern college students face higher than average costs

A new analysis finds that several Midwestern states have few truly affordable public universities.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Nutrition education programs shutter amid funding cuts

Oct 3, 2025

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7 min read

Nutrition education programs shutter amid funding cuts

SNAP-Ed programs teach low-income families about healthy eating habits and food preparation.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Political climate stirs fear on campuses

Sep 19, 2025

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8 min read

Political climate stirs fear on campuses

A new survey shows the effects of federal and state pressure on higher ed.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Higher ed’s ‘hunker-down mindset'

Sep 5, 2025

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9 min read

Higher ed’s ‘hunker-down mindset'

A tight housing market and a fragile job market mean those working in higher ed have fewer options than ever.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
‘Self-inflicted wounds’ at the Education Department

Aug 8, 2025

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6 min read

‘Self-inflicted wounds’ at the Education Department

The department-wide staff reduction is hurting colleges and low-income students, says ACE expert.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Billions of dollars in federal funding cuts

Jul 25, 2025

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7 min read

Billions of dollars in federal funding cuts

Colleen Murphy
Charlotte West
Colleen Murphy, +1
The power of local reporting on higher ed

Jun 20, 2025

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7 min read

The power of local reporting on higher ed

Our work is influencing policymakers and strengthening communities.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
AmeriCorps cuts leave college-access groups scrambling

May 16, 2025

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7 min read

AmeriCorps cuts leave college-access groups scrambling

The volunteerism agency cancelled $400 million in grants at the end of April, as the Trump administration continues to slash government spending.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
The ripple effect of cuts to NIH research funding

Apr 18, 2025

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7 min read

The ripple effect of cuts to NIH research funding

A team of researchers estimates the Trump administration's proposed biomedical research funding cuts would cost 68,000 jobs nationally.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Federal diversity guidance softened, but big questions remain for colleges

Mar 7, 2025

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8 min read

Federal diversity guidance softened, but big questions remain for colleges

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
How university leaders are — and aren’t — speaking out against Trump’s attempts to overhaul higher ed

Feb 21, 2025

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10 min read

How university leaders are — and aren’t — speaking out against Trump’s attempts to overhaul higher ed

‘If you don't stand up now, no institution is safe.’

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
A watershed moment in college sports

Jan 24, 2025

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9 min read

A watershed moment in college sports

Some D-1 colleges could begin directly paying their athletes this year. And, as Trump returns to office, our reporters dig into immigration issues in higher-ed.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
A look back at the biggest higher-ed news of 2024

Dec 20, 2024

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12 min read

A look back at the biggest higher-ed news of 2024

Here's how our local reporters covered the year's major stories.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
A FAFSA bright spot

Nov 22, 2024

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7 min read

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.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
The ‘education divide’ shaping politics

Oct 25, 2024

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9 min read

The ‘education divide’ shaping politics

The election is nearing, and we've got to talk about it. Plus, Texas students are galvanized to vote after efforts to reduce polling places.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Yes, Americans still see value in college

Sep 27, 2024

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7 min read

Yes, Americans still see value in college

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
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