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Forbes
5 hours ago
- Forbes
The Other 96%: Talent Beyond Elite Ivies
When many people think of higher education in America, they picture the Ivy League, such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia. These elite institutions dominate headlines, policy debates, rankings, and even pop culture. But here's the reality: less than 5% of U.S. college students attend Ivy League or similarly elite private universities. The other 96%—the overwhelming majority—are enrolled in other public and private colleges, which receive far less attention. Many elite colleges have deep roots, predating the nation itself. The term 'Ivy League' began not in classrooms but on sports fields—it was the name of an athletic conference, not a mark of educational distinction. Today, these schools are ironically not known for their sports, but for the prestige and achievements of their graduates and faculty. Today, these schools sit atop the rankings not because they're doing the most good, but because they're best at serving the most advantaged. Rankings such as those from U.S. News & World Report place heavy weight on graduation rates and peer assessments—categories that inherently benefit schools that enroll wealthier students and enjoy name-brand recognition. If your institution primarily admits students who are already statistically likely to graduate, and your 'peers' are fellow elite schools, your top spot is all but guaranteed. Yes, many of these institutions offer generous financial aid packages, sometimes eliminating loans entirely for low-income undergraduates. Despite these programs, low- and middle-income students-the vast majority of Americans- remain underrepresented. As sociologist Anthony Jack has documented, even those who do make it in often face social isolation, unspoken cultural expectations, and an environment that can feel deeply alienating. The picture is even murkier at the graduate and professional level—where elite institutions continue to dominate rankings in fields like law, medicine, and business. But here, there's even less transparency. Unlike undergraduate programs, most graduate schools don't report Pell Grant enrollment or outcomes for students from less privileged backgrounds. Graduation rates, loan repayment, and employment outcomes are often hidden behind glossy brochures and institutional prestige. Thankfully, there are signs of change—at least at the undergraduate level. The American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation have developed a new classification system to recognize institutions that excel in serving Pell Grant recipients and boosting their post-graduation earnings. These schools are doing the hard, unglamorous work of helping students climb the income ladder. But notably, this system doesn't yet extend to graduate education, where such transparency is still sorely lacking. So what can be done? More Employers and policymakers should look beyond the Ivy halo. Since the Pandemic, more employers are already recruiting beyond the Elite Ivies. When recruiting for your company, look beyond just the college name and ask for meaningful data. What percentage of a program's students come from low-income backgrounds? What support systems exist for them? What are their outcomes—both in terms of earnings (and debt) as well as leadership impacts in society? With over 2,600 four-year colleges across the U.S.—many offering high-quality graduate and professional programs—employers have a vast talent pool beyond the Ivy League. While elite institutions will continue to thrive and produce great talent, they are not the sole source of capable, driven, and innovative graduates. The future of the workforce depends on recognizing and recruiting from the full spectrum of schools where students are gaining skills, solving real-world problems, and adding value. It's time to shift attention—and investment—to the broader landscape of graduate education that's powering opportunity across the country. Help us widen the pipeline. Support Leadership Brainery in creating equitable pathways to graduate education. Donate today! Interested in engaging with us or have an idea for a future topic? Submit this brief form.
CNET
8 hours ago
- CNET
Lights Off, Cash Saved: How I Finally Beat My Energy Bill
When summer heat hits hard, blasting the air conditioner is usually the go-to move, but that comfort comes with a price. With electricity rates rising and inflation squeezing wallets, high energy bills are stressing out nearly 80% of Americans, according to a recent CNET survey. But staying cool doesn't have to mean draining your bank account. One of the easiest ways to reduce your energy usage is also one of the most overlooked: Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Every bulb generates heat that makes your air conditioner work overtime. In the summer, that extra strain can cost you more than you think. Combine this small habit with other smart strategies, like closing blinds during peak sun hours, using ceiling fans effectively and unplugging unused electronics -- and you can make a noticeable dent in your bill without sacrificing comfort. Want to beat the heat and lower your energy costs? Start by flipping the switch. Why should you turn off the lights? You've probably been told time and time again the importance of conserving energy, but you might be wondering why it's so important. First, reducing your energy usage by turning off your lights is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint. Electricity generation is one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. By turning off your lights when you aren't using them, you can do your part to reduce carbon emissions and therefore help the environment. Second, reducing your home's energy usage doesn't just help the environment. It also helps your wallet. Turning off lights when you don't need them can help to reduce your electricity bills. You'll also extend the life of your light bulbs, which will save you money as well. Pro savings tip Buying a smart lightbulb can help you conserve energy by setting your lights to go on and off at certain times, so no more falling asleep with all the lights left on overnight. The Wiz tunable white LED smart bulb is CNET's pick for the best white-light smart bulb. Details $20 at Amazon How much money can you save? The amount you can save on your electricity bill by turning off your lights depends on the type of light bulb you use. You can figure your potential savings using the light bulb's wattage. Let's say you have a light bulb that's 40 watts, meaning in one hour, the bulb will use 0.04 kWh. Then, you can use your electricity price — which you can find on your most recent utility bill — to figure out how much you'll save for that hour. In the case of the 40-watt bulb, if you pay an electricity rate of 10 cents per kWh, your savings by turning that bulb off for one hour would be 0.4 cents. It's easy to see that number and think it's simply not worth it to turn off your lights more often. After all, what difference does 0.4 cents make? First, remember that estimate is for a 40-watt bulb. If you have higher-wattage light bulbs, the savings will be greater. Next, that estimate uses an energy price of 10 cents per kWh, but in many areas, the price of electricity may be higher than that. Finally, our estimate looked at the savings of turning off one bulb for one hour. You likely have many light bulbs in your house, and there are far more than just one hour in a month. So when you calculate the savings of turning off all of your light bulbs for many more hours per month, your savings will increase significantly. When should you turn off the lights? You can save money by turning off your lights and fans whenever you don't need them. During the spring and summer, it's a good idea to check in on the peak and off-peak energy hours in your area. Many providers use a time-of-use electricity plan where energy costs rise during peak hours, or hours where the grid is facing higher demand, and lower during off-peak hours. These hours change depending on the seasons, so transitioning between seasons is a good time to check on when you're paying the most for energy. During peak hours, usually during the afternoons in the summer while in the early morning and in the evenings after sunset during winter, it's helpful to be especially diligent in turning off lights and other electronic appliances when you leave a room to cut down on your energy bill. Thankfully, during the spring and summer, daylight saving time is in effect, which means more daylight and less need to have the lights on in your home. A small change can yield big savings Turning off the lights and other electric appliances when you aren't using them is one of the most basic steps you can take to reduce your energy usage and save money on your electricity bill. Just remember that even a small change can add up to big energy savings for you and also help reduce your carbon footprint. More money-saving tips for you
New York Post
9 hours ago
- New York Post
Former hostage Or Levy recounts starving in Hamas captivity
An Israeli former hostage has painted a haunting picture of the hell he endured from Hamas on the heels of the terrorists' latest propaganda video showing an emaciated captive digging his own grave. Or Levy, 33, who was abducted Oct. 7, 2023, and held captive in Gaza for 491 days, spoke at a Long Island synagogue Sunday, sharing his own experience with 'starvation' inside Hamas' tunnels. 'You can't really understand what it is to starve — day after day after day,' Levy, told the Young Israel of Woodmere synagogue. Advertisement 6 Or levy recounts starving during his nearly 500 days in Hamas captivity. Doree Lewak/NY Post 6 Recent haunting images of skeletal current hostage Evyatar David triggered global outcry. Al-Qassam Brigade Footage Levy, whose wife Einav was killed in the same shelter from which he was kidnapped and 'dragged like a sack of potatoes,' was among the hostages freed in February — their emaciated bodies paraded around by Hamas before their release. Israeli officials noted that Levy and the other hostages freed earlier this year suffered from malnutrition, with some losing around 40% of their body weight in captivity. Advertisement Levy, the father of a 3-year-old boy, recalled the 'inhumane' conditions he lived in, sleeping in a tunnel that had air 'thick with mold' and lying on the hard floor without a mattress. He and his fellow hostages survived on a single pita a day and shared two cans of food for four people — or 'half a can a day' for each man. 6 Hostage Rom Braslavski also was recently seen in Hamas video weeping as he begged for food and water. Advertisement They eked out two meals a day from the meager sustenance because 'the psychological effect of eating once a day is crazy,' Levy said to the packed and stunned crowd who themselves were fasting to commemorate Tisha B'Av. 'I won't describe to you what it is to be that hungry,' he said. 'A – you don't deserve it – nobody deserves it. And, B, you can't really understand what it is to starve day after day after day for months.' 6 Levy was among the hostages paraded around before their release in February. AP Advertisement Levy's healthy appearance Sunday was in stark contrast to his gaunt silhouette upon his release from Gaza on Feb. 8, having shed 44 pounds during his brutal 15 months of captivity, according to the Times of Israel. Levy said his nightmares about previously being starving were reignited upon seeing the shocking images of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, whose skeletal frames were shown off in the Hamas propaganda video last week. David was seen inside a dark tunnel with a shovel in hand as he was forced to dig his own grave, with Braslavski filmed as he cried for food and water. 6 Protesters In Israel are demanding a cease-fire deal to free the remaining hostages and end the war in Gaza. REUTERS As with Levy, both David and Brasklavski were kidnapped during the Nova music festival massacre and appear to be going through the same brutal torture as he did. 'I know what they are going through, and I can promise you it's the worst,' Levy said. 'These videos haunt me.' Noting that the men have 170 days in captivity on top of what he endured, Levy said, 'You know what I looked like,' referencing the shocking video of his emaciated frame marching through Gaza City upon his release, footage that prompted outrage from President Trump. 6 Israeli demonstrators have accused their government of putting the defeat of Hamas over the need to save the hostages' lives. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement 'They literally look like the old pictures of Holocaust survivors, the same thing,' the president said of the freed hostages at the time. Before ending his emotional talk that left the rapt crowd in tears, Levy implored, 'We must do everything we can to end this.' The images of David and Braslavski triggered mass protests in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, with tens of thousands of Israelis taking to the streets to demand an end to the war in Gaza and immediate release of all of the hostages. Advertisement The captives, only 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, have endured 668 days in captivity, with no sign of progress toward a cease-fire deal between Hamas and Israel. Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, claimed Sunday that the US and Israel are close to a 'very, very good plan' to end the war in Gaza and free the remaining hostages. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that a military operation is the best way to free the hostages, vowing to keep the war going until Hamas is eliminated.
