Degrees of Access

Equity in Higher Education

The average cost of attending four years of college in the United States is over $153,000. 

How can systems of higher education and learning ensure equity and access when the average price tag is more than most Americans make in multiple years of post-graduate employment? How do other historical, legal and policy-based dimensions of equity in higher education play into the systemic barriers and innovative solutions that shape access, affordability, and success for marginalized populations? 

Fellows in this track will dive into key topics such as affirmative action, legacy admissions, financial aid systems, diversity and inclusion initiatives, campus protest and activism, and the implications of recent legal and political shifts. Through discussions with policymakers, educators, and industry professionals, students will analyze the impact of historical and current policies and examine the effectiveness of proposed education and admissions reforms. 

This track will highlight the intersections of law, economics, and social justice in shaping higher education policy, empowering Fellows to critically assess the path forward for creating a more equitable system in this country.