Best of May 2026 from HigherEdJobs

Whether you’re actively job searching or simply seeking to excel at your current institution, here are some editor’s picks highlighting issues, trends, and tips from last month that may help you.

Best in Workplace Inclusion

Am I a Victim of Age Discrimination? Separating Facts from Beliefs

“How do I know if I have an age discrimination claim?” If you’ve ever found yourself asking that question, this piece breaks down what the law requires to establish a case, and the important personal questions to consider so you can make the most informed decision moving forward.

Best in Leadership in Higher Ed

What Happened to Asking Questions?

Good leadership starts with good questions. This piece uses real boardroom examples, such as a trustee who proposed cutting tuition without knowing anything about the institution he wanted to mirror, to argue that leading with curiosity rather than jumping to solutions is what effective governance looks like.

Best in Community College

Understanding the Stop-Out Population: Supporting Their Return and Degree Completion

HigherEdJobs hosted a Careers & Coffee session titled “Understanding the Stop-Out Population” that addressed how institutions can better support adult learners who left before finishing their degree. The assistant vice president and dean of continuing studies at a public HBCU shared how their initiative removes common barriers like credit expiration and rigid structures to help students cross the finish line.

Best in Teaching and Faculty

Writing Remains a Foundational Skill, Even in an Age of Change

In this Higher Ed Careers interview, a professor of English and director of writing at a small liberal arts college discusses why writing remains essential across disciplines and careers. “Leading students to recognize the limits of AI and the joys of interacting with humans has been my focus,” she says, explaining that understanding audience and context are the skills that have always set strong writers apart and always will.

Best in Career Development, Stages, and Transitions

Cultivating Growth Opportunities as a Faculty Member When the Market Pauses

When the hiring market slows, it’s easy to spiral. But what if a frozen hiring period is actually the best time to prepare for future opportunities? This piece offers strategies for faculty navigating a slow market, from stepping into leadership roles within professional organizations to aligning personal goals with institutional needs.

Best in Health and Wellbeing

Pause Before You Panic: Supporting Student Mental Health on Campus

In this episode of the HigherEdJobs Podcast, a TED Talk speaker and faculty co-chair of higher education at Harvard Graduate School of Education discusses how campuses can better support struggling students. She makes the case that every friction point in the process of seeking help, like a confusing website, siloed departments, or a nine-click path to a counseling appointment, is a missed opportunity to keep students connected to care. Listen to the full episode below.