From Our Editor

Dear Readers,

In this issue, we spotlight two sectors at the center of higher education’s most urgent challenges and boldest breakthroughs: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and law schools.

At a time when federal funding gaps persist, DEI programs face political attacks, and student success models are under pressure, HBCUs continue to lead with boldness and clarity. From the ambitious aims of the HBCU Transformation Project to tech-forward initiatives and a groundbreaking archival partnership with Ancestry.com and Getty Images, these institutions are proving—again—that legacy and innovation go hand in hand.

Law schools, meanwhile, are navigating legal education in a post-affirmative action, post-truth era. With race-conscious admissions overturned and ABA diversity requirements on pause, we examine how institutions are adapting—through new pathways, advocacy efforts, and reimagined admissions strategies. At the same time, rising law school applications and AI-integrated curricula are reshaping an already complex landscape.

Beyond those core features, this issue also highlights stories of systems-level change: how universities are stepping up to protect international students amid visa uncertainty; veteran students are leading the design of programs that bridge wellness and academic transition; colleges and cities are co-creating housing, equity, and economic resilience strategies; and faculty are increasingly turning to public support to fund research left behind by traditional systems.

Higher education may be at a crossroads—but the path forward is being charted by those who refuse to accept the status quo.