The Pulse of Higher Ed

Perspectives on Online and Professional Education
from UPCEA’s Research and Consulting Experts

Don’t Tell My Mother…I Read a Fiction Book

My parents immigrated from China in the 1950s and 60s. They strongly encouraged my brothers and I to study engineering, computers, medicine or mathematics. Nothing else mattered. I chose math and my brothers chose computer science and electrical engineering. I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in math and a master’s degree in statistics from the University of Vermont. However, the business school would have nothing to do with me…I wasn’t a strong writer.

It took a year of self-study and consuming every writing course at the local community college to prove that I was ready for an MBA. Since then, I’ve grown to appreciate the humanities, the study of history and even reading Harry Potter. Just don’t tell my mother.

Recent research by Strada and Emsi, along with research from UPCEA’s Center for Research and Strategy on the re-positioning or re-engineering the Liberal Arts curriculum for the new economy can be found here.

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Other UPCEA Updates + Blogs

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The recently released UPCEA Hallmarks of Excellence in Digital Learning Enterprises reflect the continued evolution of digital learning from an emerging modality to a mission-critical component of institutional strategy. This series explores each Hallmark, why it matters for today’s institutions, and how institutional leaders can begin using the accompanying benchmarks to assess progress and guide…

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Department of Education Issues Final Rule for New Accountability Standards | Policy Matters (July 2026)

Major Updates Department of Education Issues Final Rule for New Accountability Standards On June 29, the U.S. Department of Education issued its final rule establishing the Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability framework, a sweeping new standard that applies to nearly all programs and sectors regardless of tax status or credential level.…

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