What the Headlines Miss About Higher Ed: A Conversation with Kirk Carapezza

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Aired February 12, 2026

The national conversation about higher education shifted dramatically in 2025. In this episode recorded in Boston, Jon Fansmith and Mushtaq Gunja talk with GBH News correspondent Kirk Carapezza about the reporting landscape and the pressures facing colleges beyond the headlines.



Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

Brandeis bets big on rebuilding the liberal arts around real-world skills
GBH | Dec. 2, 2025

Colleges hope to ‘AI-proof’ their offerings as new tech changes job expectations
GBH | Oct. 29, 2025

Local colleges targeted amid growing campus culture wars 
GBH | Sept. 24, 2025

College Uncovered Season 4: The Demographic Cliff 

College Uncovered Season 4 Bonus: The New College Compact

College Uncovered Season 2, Episode 4: Closing Time

Amherst College: 1,900 Students, 850 Courses. What’s Not To Like?
On Campus | Aug. 3, 2016

Hosts and Guests
Transcript

​Transcript to come

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​​Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

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