Michael T. Nietzel

Tulsa

Senior Contributor at Forbes

Retired University President. Psychologist. Higher Education Writer. Book Lover. Dog Guy, Jazz Fan. Cubs, Wildcats, Illini, Bears and Hawkeyes.

Articles

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Higher Ed, Poll Finds

5 days ago | forbes.com | Michael T. Nietzel

More than half of U.S. adults disapprove of the way President Donald Trump is treating higher education institutions, according to a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. The poll comes at a time when the Trump administration is pursuing a number of actions and threats aimed at forcing American colleges and universities to make the changes his administration demands. But 56% of the public say they disapprove of how he is handling these issues.
Walton Heirs To Start A New STEM-Focused University In Arkansas

1 week ago | forbes.com | Michael T. Nietzel

Steuart and Tom Walton, grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton, have announced that members of their family are planning to create a new private university that will focus on offering a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum. The future school would be located at the location of Walmart’s former home office in Bentonville, Arkansas, according to Axios, which first broke the story today. It would be part of a mixed-use development planned for the site.
The National Academy of Sciences Elects 120 New Members For 2025

1 week ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Michael T. Nietzel

Share The National Academy of Sciences has announced the 120 new members and 30 international members ... More elected in 2025. The National Academy of Sciences has announced the 2025 election of 120 new members and 30 international members. Election to the academy is for scientists who have been judged by their peers to have made distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
The National Academy of Sciences Elects 120 New Members For 2025

1 week ago | forbes.com | Michael T. Nietzel

The National Academy of Sciences has announced the 2025 election of 120 new members and 30 international members. Election to the academy is for scientists who have been judged by their peers to have made distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership in the Academy is widely regarded as one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a scientist.
13 Universities File Suit Against NSF’s Cap On Indirect Research Costs

1 week ago | forbes.com | Michael T. Nietzel

Thirteen research universities have filed a federal lawsuit that seeks to stop the National Science Foundation from carrying out a new policy that would cap the reimbursement of indirect research costs paid to academic institutions on grants awarded by the agency.
“Hard Decisions” Loom As Michigan State University Plans Budget Cuts

1 week ago | forbes.com | Michael T. Nietzel

In the face of numerous federal policy changes and large-scale cutbacks to research spending, Michigan State University is the latest major research university that’s preparing to rein in its budget. In a message titled “University Financial Health,” which was sent to the campus community on Monday, Michigan State President Kevin M.
The National Science Foundation Is Under Siege

1 week ago | forbes.com | Michael T. Nietzel

The turmoil at the National Science Foundation has deepened in the past two weeks, the result of several actions that threaten the agency’s budget, leadership and mission. Here is a summary of four key developmentsAccording to exclusive reporting by Nature, NSF staff members were told via an email message on April 30 to “stop awarding all funding actions until further notice.” As a result, NSF has now both ceased awarding new research grants and allocating additional funds for existing grants.
The 10 Biggest Higher Education Losers In Trump’s Skinny Budget

1 week ago | forbes.com | Michael T. Nietzel

President Trump has proposed a $163 billion reduction in discretionary federal spending for Fiscal Year 2026, a plan, which if enacted by Congress, would slash funding for a wide swath of education, research, health, environmental, and safety net programs. The cuts are contained in a budget letter and proposal sent by OMB Director Russell T. Vought to Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, on May 2.
George Mason, Creighton And University Of San Diego Receive Major Naming Gifts

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Michael T. Nietzel

In the past 10 days, three institutions — George Mason University, Creighton University and the University of San Diego — have received multimillion-dollar donations for various initiatives. George Mason University was given $20 million by the Kimmy Duong Foundation.
Major Naming Gifts To George Mason, Creighton, University Of San Diego

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Michael T. Nietzel

In the past 10 days, three institutions — George Mason University, Creighton University and the University of San Diego — have received multi-million-dollar donations for various initiatives. George Mason University was given $20 million by the Kimmy Duong Foundation.