Dive Brief:
- Critics contend that the list of invitees to the Obamas' higher education summit was dominated by elite institutions, leaving out community colleges and many smaller schools.
- One college administrator was told that the invites were for schools willing to make new commitments to serve low-income students, meaning there was little room for schools that already do serve low-income populations.
- At the summit, Michelle Obama spoke personally about how an elite higher education almost escaped her and about the importance of giving low-income students opportunities.
Dive Insight:
The summit, which drew more than 100 leaders in higher education, was an attempt by the president to use the power of his office to force change, even if Congress is unwilling to act on his college affordability plan. By one account, it's already had an effect. One private foundation decided to double its STEM scholarships.