The Power of Prestige

Ryan Craig explains why expanding access to highly selective institutions like Yale is the key to saving higher ed.

29 minutes
By: Higher Voltage

Does the path to lifelong economic mobility flow through elite higher ed institutions? Ryan Craig thinks so. In a recent op-ed for Inside Higher Ed, the managing director of investment firm Achieve Partners, argued that the only way to combat the declining value of a higher education in the public’s perception is for highly selective institutions to increase access by opening satellite locations.

That position is in stark contrast to the view held by Matt Reed, who penned his own op-ed in IHE as a rebuttal to Craig’s opinion, arguing that community colleges are the best vehicle for increasing access and bolstering the perceived value of a college education. 

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 Reed, visit that show page.

Related readings:

Higher Voltage

Higher Voltage


Newsletter Sign up!

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

Also in Podcasts

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.

What We Learned From Our Conversation with Vincent Rougeau

Teresa and Erin discuss openness and honesty at the leadership level, and new paths to the college presidency.

By: Trusted Voices Podcast
A picture a bald man with glasses wearing a light blue shirt.

What’s Your Institution’s McDonald’s Order?

Dr. Marcus Collins joins Kevin Tyler to discuss institutional culture and how it correlates to a student’s desire to attend.

By: Higher Voltage
Graphic design with a black background and a bubble with an orange rim; inside the bubble is a picture of a man with light skin, light hair, and glasses, looking straight out at the viewer. Two bubbles next to this one say 'Higher Voltage' and 'with guest Hank Green.'

‘This Thing is Broken’: Hank Green Wants to End Student Debt and Fix Higher Education

Vlogger and entrepreneur Hank Green on why he cofounded the online education platform Study Hall.

By: Higher Voltage
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.

‘Solving’ Governance in Less Than 20 Minutes

Teresa and Erin look at Michigan State, WVU and how ‘leakiness’ in an administration can be the result of poor governance.

By: Trusted Voices
A picture of Allen Adamson, a man with short gray hair wearing a blue shirt and black coat, and Kevin Tyler, a bald man with a dark mustache wearing a checkered shirt.

In a Word-Of-Mouth Business, No One Shares Average – Allen Adamson

Kevin and Allen discuss the importance of focusing on a clear and distinct mission, rather than diluting the institutional identity with multiple conflicting messages.

By: Higher Voltage
Graphic design showing a black-orange background next to a picture of a woman with dark skin, brown hair, and a black-colored suit jacket with a yellow scarf; the word Trusted Voices appears on the background; beneath that is the name 'Valerie Seares Ashby.'

Valerie Sheares Ashby on Mentorship, Team Building and Measures of Success

President Valerie Sheares Ashby of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County discusses mentorship, team building and measures of success.

By: Trusted Voices