The Problem with Prestige

Matt Reed explains why community colleges and other non-exclusive institutions are the key to increasing college access and enabling social mobility.

21 minutes
By: Higher Voltage

When it comes to increasing collegiate access and enabling social mobility, which types of institutions are best-suited to open those doors? 

Matt Reed, a senior executive officer at the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, believes that exclusivity is not the solution, that community colleges and non-exclusive colleges are the key to enabling more Americans to improve their lot.

That point of view contrasts with the view held by Ryan Craig, who recently penned an op-ed for Inside Higher Ed advocating for elite institutions like Yale to open similarly exclusive satellite campuses around the country. Reed who writes the blog “Confessions of a Community College Dean” for IHE, crafted a response to Craig’s perspective.

We spoke with both columnists in separate recorded interviews. Here, we present Craig’s position that expanding access to selective institutions is necessary to secure the future of higher ed.

To listen to our interview with Craig, visit that show page.

Related readings:

Higher Voltage

Higher Voltage

Newsletter Sign up!

Stay current in digital strategy, brand amplification, design thinking and more.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Also in Podcasts

Graphic design showing a black-orange background next to a picture of a Black man in a suit; the word Trusted Voices appears on the background.

Vincent Rougeau on Leadership, Change, and His Career of Many Firsts

The first episode of the new Trusted Voices Podcast launches with guest Vincent Rougeau, president of the College of the Holy Cross.

By: Trusted Voices Podcast
A graphic design with the title 'Trusted Voices' and the words 'with hosts Teresa Valerio Parrot, Erin Hennessy,' and showing the pictures of two women, both with light skin and light brown hair, one of whom is wearing glasses. All of this is set against a black background that gets orangeish around the images of the two women.

Takeaways From Our Conversation with Valerie Sheares Ashby

Teresa and Erin discuss how mentorship and making people feel heard are keys to effective and genuine leadership.

By: Trusted Voices
A graphic design with the title 'Trusted Voices' and the words 'with hosts Teresa Valerio Parrot, Erin Hennessy,' and showing the pictures of two women, both with light skin and light brown hair, one of whom is wearing glasses. All of this is set against a black background that gets orangeish around the images of the two women.

10 Resolutions for Higher Ed in 2024

Erin and Teresa explore 10 areas in which higher education can do better in 2024 and offer indispensable advice to leaders seeking to address evolving issues proactively.

By: Trusted Voices
A graphic design with the title 'Trusted Voices' and the words 'with hosts Teresa Valerio Parrot, Erin Hennessy,' and showing the pictures of two women, both with light skin and light brown hair, one of whom is wearing glasses. All of this is set against a black background that gets orangeish around the images of the two women.

A Fall Semester of Institutional Resilience

Erin and Teresa talk about coping with hurricanes, resources for navigating election season and the importance of leadership vulnerability.

By: Trusted Voices