Focusing on a smaller quantity of research but making it more impactful is one way to safeguard mental and physical wellness as the pandemic and its effects extend into 2021, University of Glasgow chemist Lee Cronin says. Other university researchers recommend enhancing virtual interactions for career engagement, and climate scientist Kim Cobb suggests that supervisors keep an eye out for power imbalances that may lead students to ignore their own well-being.

The American Council on Education is working to improve the college process for adult students by developing an institutional framework for providing college credit for previous work and learning. A network of schools and organizations will identify transferable skills and offer badges for them, using an approach -- based on transparency, actionability and guarantee -- to ease students through the process.

It is a mistake to slash diversity line items even as the pandemic is decimating university budgets, writes Ansley Abraham, founding director of the Southern Regional Education Board's State Doctoral Scholars Program, particularly when it comes to encouraging more underrepresented students of color to pursue doctorates and careers in higher education. In this opinion piece, Abraham explains how to do this and discusses programs that can help.

Jobs are scarce for 2020 college graduates who don't have the full-time experience many employers are seeking, and the problem may have a generational impact, some experts say. Recruitment has stalled, job offers have been rescinded and financial independence is at risk for many, leading some recent grads to consider graduate school, even if it means incurring more debt.

Universities can make students more employable and expand their skill sets by embedding certifications into degree programs, according to a report from Workcred and three higher-education associations. West Virginia University, for example, allows students completing a bachelor's degree in health and well-being to work toward certificates for health education specialists and personal trainers.