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WBUR Edify's New Series Explores Challenges Small Colleges Face in Massachusetts
College closings are on the rise across the nation, with about 11 closing nationally each year. New England, which has a high concentration of small private colleges, is expected to get hit hard. WBUR’s Edify team goes inside these schools to find out how they're responding to these changes, and what they may have to give up in order to thrive, in its latest series “Small Colleges, Big Challenges.”
The series will run on-air from Oct. 21 - 25 on Morning Edition and you can also experience the coverage online with multimedia on their exclusive page for higher education coverage here:
Here's part one of the series, aired on Monday, Oct. 21 — an explainer on the challenges small colleges are facing: Why More Small Nonprofit Colleges Are Facing An Uncertain Future
Here's a rundown on what to expect from the "Small Colleges, Big Challenges" series this week:
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, episode 2 will dive into mergers with a focus on Hampshire College, and why the school decided to stop looking for a partner and chart a way forward on its own.
Episode 3 on Wednesday, Oct. 23, will continue to look at how Pine Manor College is trying to stay competitive and serve first-generation students.
In an attempt to stand out from other colleges, many private schools are looking for competitive advantages they can offer students. In episode 4 on Thursday, Oct. 24, we'll find out how Regis College is doubling down on its nursing program as a way to stand out. On Friday, Oct. 25, episode 5 will tell us how Simmons was able to transform by going online, and why that strategy may not work for all small schools.
If you have questions about small private colleges in Massachusetts fill out the form at the end of the posts.
And if you're interested in more education news, join the WBUR Ed Talk Facebook group! It's a meeting place for Massachusetts parents, teachers, and students to discuss and learn about school alongside WBUR's education reporters. Ask questions, share articles and ideas, and tell stories from your family’s education experience.