Natural OZone Disinfectant

Stanford University is leading the way in sustainable cleaning with an ozone-based green cleaning system that turns tap water into disinfectant. With this system, all you have to do is turn on the cold water faucet and press a button that electrifies the water with 4,500 volts of electricity. This process transforms the water into ozone, a natural disinfectant that’s more powerful than bleach. To use the solution, the ozone is first transferred via a nozzle into a reusable spray bottle. 

Once sprayed, ozone eliminates viruses, bacteria, odor, mold, mildew, and stains within sixty seconds, and transitions back to water within one week. It’s a safe, natural, and eco-friendly alternative to conventional synthetic cleaners. So far over 100 student dorms and offices across Stanford’s campus now use ozone to clean any and every surface from carpets and floors to desks and toilets to laptops and cellphones.

Stanford’s Zero-Waste Goal

By switching to ozone, Stanford’s on track to reach their goal of zero-waste by 2030 as they no longer have to use chemical cleaners on campus. Prior to the switch, the university went through 5,500 gallons of chemical cleaner annually that needed to be purchased, shipped, and the containers thrown out. Using ozone eliminates the need to dispose of roughly 2,146 pounds of plastic cleaning containers every year. 

Cleaner, Healthier Ceilings

Ozone can also be used to clean ceilings. As ceilings are a hard-to-reach area easy to overlook, dust, cobwebs, and debris can easily accumulate on them over time. In addition to making buildings look dirty and dingy, ceiling dust and debris also negatively affects air quality and causes allergies and asthma symptoms. Clean ceilings on campus should therefore be a priority. Fortunately, commercial cleaning services can disinfect, sanitize, and deodorize ceilings to make campus interiors cleaner, lighter and brighter. As commercial cleaning therefore eliminates the need for extra lighting, it’s also a more eco-conscious option.

Renewable Energy at Georgetown University

Over 40 colleges and universities across the U.S. now get 100% or more of their electricity from renewable energy sources, according to a recent report from Environment America Research and Policy Center. The efforts of Georgetown University are particularly impressive here. They purchase 100,000 megawatt-hours of electricity from eleven solar plants every year, which provides over 60% of the university’s electricity needs. They also have a student-led project named “Solar Street” that installed 18KW photovoltaic solar panels on the roofs of six university-owned rowhouses on campus. These panels generate almost 20,000 kilowatts of electricity annually. The reduction in carbon emissions has been immense, equivalent to taking 44 cars off the road or planting 333 new trees every year. 

Solar Living at Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York even have their very own solar farm. Two of them, in fact. The Colleges use these farms — the largest solar installations of any higher education facility in the U.S. — to generate 50% of the campus’ electricity. Geothermal heating and cooling is also used at the Colleges’ Finger Lakes Institute. Here, twenty wells work to transfer heat to or from the ground to either heat or cool the building as needed depending on the season. The Finger Lakes Institute even received an EPA Energy Star award for successfully improving the building’s energy efficiency within two years.

Thanks to innovative eco-friendly solutions, campuses across the country are greener and cleaner than ever before. From sustainable cleaning solutions to renewable energy, America’s universities remain committed to sustainability and making the world a better place for current and future students.

SEE ALSO: Retro Rides and College Student Pride: The Advantages of Driving a Classic Car on Campus

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For many people across the U.S., going to college is the inevitable next step after graduating high school. But it’s not just an unquenchable thirst for knowledge behind that trend — there’s also the expectation that bagging a college degree will open the door to high-paying jobs, with seven in ten Americans believing that college-educated people have higher earnings compared to high school graduates.

Of course, plenty of young professionals straight out of high school have jobs that rake in the big bucks — but by and large, the typical college graduate in the U.S. will make $1.2 million more over their lifetime than someone who hasn’t been to college, and is 3.5 times less likely to experience poverty. Male graduates, in particular, will have the highest salaries.

This got the team here at Career.io pondering: where in the U.S. will college graduates make the biggest salary premium over a local worker who hasn’t been to college? And where will male and female graduates outearn their counterparts without a degree the most?

For every state and the 1,000 most populated cities in the U.S., Career.io used Census data to calculate the percentage difference between the median earnings of local college graduates and high school graduates over the age of 25.

Methodology Behind Study

To determine where college graduates earn the biggest salary premium in the United States, Career.io focused on the 1,000 most populated U.S. cities and each U.S. state.

For each city and U.S. state, they used the U.S. Census American Community Survey (2022) to discover the median earnings in the past 12 months (inflation-adjusted) for the population aged 25 years and over among High School Graduates, High School Graduate Males, High School Graduate Females, Bachelor’s Degree Holders, Bachelor’s Degree Holding Males, and Bachelor’s Degree Holding Females.

The Career.io team calculated the percentage difference in earnings for each location between high school graduates and bachelor’s degree holders. they repeated this analysis for male and female high school graduates vs. bachelor’s degree holders of the same gender.

After that, the study ranked the cities, cities per state, and states based on having the highest salary premium (%) for bachelor’s degree holders.

Results

The analysis of this data is correct as of February 2024.

SEE ALSO: Which U.S. Companies Pay the Most for Entry-Level Jobs?

The post What is the Wage Gap Between College and High School Graduates in Each State? appeared first on College News.

There were 353,000 new jobs added to the U.S. market in January 2024, with a particular boost in
healthcare, business service and retail roles. Unemployment is at a near-record low of 3.7%, putting
applicants in a strong position to negotiate relocation costs with employers. So, if you’re a new
entrant into the career market or considering a change of industry, it is interesting to note that the
pay for entry-level jobs varies widely, not just from firm to firm but around the country.

To help understand the lay of the land, CashNetUSA analyzed regional job listings and identified the
big companies that pay the best entry-level salaries in the U.S. and each state and major city.

Methodology Behind Study

To determine the best companies for entry-level wages in America, CashNetUSA reviewed publicly
available data on job salaries from Indeed in December 2023 and local area wages from the Bureau
of Labor Statistics.

The team ranked companies based on the percentage of entry-level job listings on Indeed whose
advertised salaries are above the annual median wage for the city in which they are listed. Data on
median annual wage for all occupations is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is at the
metropolitan statistical area level.

They included the 100 largest companies by number of employees, the 50 largest restaurant chains
by total sales and the 50 largest retailers by total sales.

Results

The data is correct as of March 2024.

SEE ALSO: Where is the Most Competition for Internship Roles?

The post Which U.S. Companies Pay the Most for Entry-Level Jobs? appeared first on College News.

Embracing these changes requires an open mind and a proactive approach to education. Students can make strategic decisions about their academic paths and career plans by staying informed about the latest trends. This shift in higher education impacts how knowledge is acquired and prepares students for a future where adaptability and lifelong learning are key to success. As we explore the significant trends shaping higher education, students are encouraged to consider how these changes can be leveraged to enhance their educational journey and future career prospects.

The Rise of Online Learning Platforms

The surge in online learning platforms has revolutionized access to education, making it possible for students around the globe to engage with high-quality learning resources at their convenience. This shift towards digital education offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing learners to tailor their educational journeys to fit their personal schedules and learning preferences. With courses ranging from introductory to advanced levels across various disciplines, these platforms cater to a wide array of academic interests and career aspirations.

Online learning has democratized education, breaking down geographical and financial barriers that once limited access to higher education. Students can now explore subjects beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings, gaining exposure to global perspectives and diverse teaching methodologies. Thanks to online learning platforms like Studocu, students get access to study notes, exam prep guides, and more all from the comfort of their homes, the coffee shop, or anywhere. This form of learning not only enhances academic knowledge but also cultivates essential digital literacy skills, preparing students for the increasingly digital workplace. As online platforms continue to evolve, they promise to offer even more innovative and interactive ways to learn, further enriching the educational landscape for students worldwide.

Artificial Intelligence in Education

AI is poised to transform the educational sector, offering personalized learning experiences that adapt to individual student needs. By analyzing data on students’ learning habits, AI can identify patterns and provide customized recommendations for study material, optimizing the learning process. This technology enables a more focused approach to education, where resources are tailored to address specific areas of weakness, thereby enhancing learning efficiency and outcomes.

Beyond personalization, AI also introduces automation in administrative tasks, freeing educators to focus more on teaching and less on paperwork. This shift not only improves efficiency but also enriches the learning experience, allowing for more interactive and engaging classroom sessions. As AI continues to integrate into the educational framework, it promises to open new avenues for innovation in teaching and learning, making education more accessible, engaging, and effective for students across the globe.

Global Classrooms are Expanding International Collaboration

The concept of global classrooms has emerged as a powerful trend in higher education, fostering international collaboration and cross-cultural understanding among students. By connecting learners from different parts of the world, these virtual classrooms offer a unique opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives, enhancing the educational experience. Through projects, discussions, and collaborative research, students develop a global outlook, preparing them for the interconnected world of the 21st century.

This international exposure not only broadens academic horizons but also cultivates essential soft skills such as cultural sensitivity, communication, and teamwork in a global context. As institutions continue to embrace and expand these global networks, students gain access to a richer, more diverse educational experience. This trend towards international collaboration in learning enhances academic knowledge and equips students with the skills and perspectives needed to thrive in a globalized workforce.

The Shift Towards Competency-Based Education

This change marks a significant evolution in the assessment of academic achievement, focusing on the mastery of specific skills and knowledge rather than traditional grade-based evaluations. This approach emphasizes practical, real-world applications of learning, ensuring that students not only understand theoretical concepts but can also apply them effectively. By prioritizing competencies, education becomes more aligned with industry needs, providing a clearer pathway from education to employment.

Competency-based education offers a more personalized learning experience, allowing students to progress at their own pace. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for adult learners and professionals seeking to upskill or reskill, as it accommodates different learning styles and life commitments. As higher education institutions increasingly adopt this model, students are empowered to take control of their learning journey, focusing on acquiring the skills and knowledge that are most relevant to their career goals and personal growth.

Student Well-being and Mental Health Focus

In recent years, there has been a significant shift in how higher education institutions approach student well-being and mental health. Recognizing the immense pressures and challenges students face, universities and colleges are now prioritizing support systems that cater to the psychological and emotional needs of their student body. This holistic approach acknowledges that academic success is deeply intertwined with mental health, and by providing accessible support, educational institutions are fostering environments where students can thrive both intellectually and emotionally.

The focus on mental health goes beyond traditional counseling services. It encompasses a broad range of initiatives, including workshops on stress management, mindfulness training, and peer support networks. These resources are designed to equip students with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of student life, promoting resilience, self-care, and emotional intelligence.

By embedding mental health awareness into the fabric of campus culture, institutions are creating a supportive community that recognizes the value of well-being as a cornerstone of academic and personal achievement. This shift towards a more compassionate and comprehensive approach to student welfare is transforming the educational experience, ensuring that students are supported to succeed in every aspect of their lives.

These advancements offer unique opportunities for personalized learning, international collaboration, and skill development tailored to the demands of the modern workplace. By adapting to these trends, you can enhance your educational journey, making it more flexible, interactive, and aligned with your career aspirations. The future of higher education promises exciting possibilities, and staying informed and adaptable will prepare you to seize them.

SEE ALSO: Higher Education Trends 2024 – What You Can Expect and What Not

The post The Future of Higher Education: Trends and Predictions for Students appeared first on College News.

With so many people trying to get their foot in the door, “getting an internship you are genuinely interested in these days is like winning a raffle or the lottery,” says one college student, speaking to Forbes. But surely that’s not the case everywhere? Or for every industry? …is it?

Intrigued, Resume.io used LinkedIn Jobs to find out where in the country budding interns are up against the most competition for the same role, where availability is the lowest and the industries offering the most and least room for interns.

Methodology Behind Study

Resume.io analyzed job listings for internship positions advertised on LinkedIn Jobs for the top 100 most populous cities in the U.S. in order to explore the competition and availability of internships across America at a state, city and industry level:

• Competition: the average number of daily applicants per internship in each location and industry.
• Availability (States and Cities): the number of internships per 100k population in each state/city.
• Availability (Industry): the number of internships per 1,000 jobs in each industry.

The industries are grouped according to LinkedIn’s own industry categories.

States

Cities

Industries

The data is correct as of January 2024.

SEE ALSO: Which Colleges and Universities Produce the Most Local Business Founders?

The post Where is the Most Competition for Internship Roles? appeared first on College News.

Online Learning and AI

• With technological progress, the demand for online education is skyrocketing. The education system becomes more creative, engaging, and effective daily. Online education is expected to grow in 2024 due to its flexibility and accessibility.
• The teaching process is now being upgraded and simpler, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). AI can customize learning patterns according to students’ learning styles, pace, and progress. AI can handle administrative activities, which will free up teachers for more student interactions.
• Researchers are using AI to aid their studies and make the research work easier. Administrators are also using AI to manage recruiting staff, admissions, student support, retention, and IT.
• The nonprofit Complete College America is forming a Council on Equitable AI. They represent a diverse group of higher education stakeholders and consult with large technology companies. They aim to boost the chances of “using AI to equalize and scale access to a college degree and the accompanying individual, economic, and societal benefits.”
• AI is also being used in the healthcare, medicine, cybersecurity, agriculture, climate change, law enforcement, mental health, material sciences, energy, finance, and banking sectors. More universities are providing advanced courses and undergraduate and graduate degrees in machine learning, big data, and AI.
• Universities will hire more AI-savvy academics to get government AI funding. Supporting AI research is expensive, so well-funded universities will have an advantage.

Nontraditional Education Models

There are several unique, nontraditional educational models trending in 2024.

• Microschools or small-scale educational institutions are offering personalized learning. These institutions use innovative teaching techniques. They also provide a community-oriented, personalized learning atmosphere. Microschools are getting popular in 2024 due to the old, non-effective, traditional schooling models.
• The “College in 3 Exchange” approach, started in 2021, trying to speed up the education process. It involves modifying the undergraduate curriculum to cut credit hours to 90 or less. The exchange involves 17 colleges, designing three-year undergraduate degree programs. Some options, including Brigham Young University-Idaho and the American Public University System, are already accredited.
• Colleges are trying to enrich traditional undergraduate majors with skills-based courses and training. The courses and training includes industry-approved certificates, internships, and capstone projects.
• Multi-classroom arrangements are currently used to solve teacher shortage issues. Through this model, the senior/experienced teachers coordinate with multiple classrooms at a time. This method optimizes resources and improves student learning experience.

Budget Issues on Campus

• Due to the pandemic, hundreds of colleges have had substantial budget deficits in the last 4 years. It is expected that the problem may continue in 2024 also.
• Like 2023, enrollment losses, rising costs, and decreased revenue will affect small private colleges, regional public universities, and two-year colleges. Large, well-known institutions will also feel the pinch.
• In 2024, more universities will encounter financial emergencies, leading to consolidations, closures, and declarations of monetary exigency. This is the worst financial crisis higher education has faced in decades.

Education Equity Campaign

• College admissions procedures and practices will be more active in 2024. Race-conscious financial assistance and admissions practices will face More legal challenges. More schools will aim to maintain student diversity with new enrollment procedures.
• Expect more universities to eliminate their legacy admissions procedure for the children of alumni.
• Direct or guaranteed admission programs will have a boost this year. This is because institutions are seeking strategies to improve enrollment and attract underrepresented students. To attract more students, schools will expand college preparation and bridge programs.
• The long-awaited FAFSA simplification might help more low-income students earn federal Pell Grants. But, it will add to the workload of overworked college admission/enrollment management personnel.
• Support workers, including full-time nurses, counselors, and special education co-teachers, can improve learning equity. These specialists can address additional student difficulties, especially in low-income districts, encouraging education equity.

Teacher Retention

• U.S. schools have an increasing number of teacher replacements. Title 1 schools are mostly affected, with an annual turnover rate of 8%. This issue could have major social effects. Compensation influences teachers to stay or quit their jobs. For some, the apparent pay gap forces them to leave. Others are continuing because they like their pay. This suggests that compensation issues may reduce teacher attrition, but a one-size-fits-all strategy may not work.

Community in Education

• A supportive community can boost teacher’s job satisfaction and retention. School districts must encourage teacher collaboration and support. A community can provide emotional support, exchange resources, and solve problems, improving job satisfaction and lowering burnout.
• Community cooperation can also benefit education. Local companies, non-profits, and community members can help schools improve learning, give resources, and address local issues. Partnerships can improve education and encourage community education responsibility.

Biden Administration Policy Litigation

• Several of the president’s policy plans face legal challenges. For example – a program under threat is the Biden administration’s “Borrower defense to repayment” rule. This rule helps students to get debt relief from educational loans. The Education Department’s program lowers all the difficulties students face to discharge their loans automatically. But, in a lawsuit launched by Career Colleges and Schools of Texas, representing for-profit institutions in Texas, the appeals court blocked the regulation last year.
• The American Association of Cosmetology Schools recently sued the Biden administration for its gainful employment regulation. The law requires for-profit schools to prove their graduates earn enough to pay off their student loan debts. The regulation would cut federal financing to institutions that fail the debt-to-earnings benchmark.
• The Education Department plans to unveil two highly anticipated Title IX regulations in March, outlawing sex-based discrimination in federally financed schools.
• One administration proposal would require institutions to investigate and prosecute sexual violence.
• The other would forbid them from banning transgender individuals from gender-appropriate sports. For fairness or safety, institutions could ban transgender athletes from teams. Republicans particularly disliked the sports-focused one. Conservative attorneys general stated they would fight to protect women’s sports before the Education Department released a draft rule.

Conclusion

The year 2024 will be crucial for education. We’ve examined teacher retention, online learning, non-traditional education methods, equity, and other trends that will impact teaching and learning in the future. We must continue to watch these changes and adapt our education methods to meet the changing requirements of students and society.

Author Bio: Attorney Loretta Kilday has more than 36 years of litigation and transactional experience, specializing in business, collection, and family law. She frequently writes on various financial and legal matters. She is a graduate of DePaul University with a Juris Doctor degree and a spokesperson for Debt Consolidation Care (DebtCC) online debt relief forum.

SEE ALSO: Which Colleges and Universities Produce the Most Local Business Founders?

The post Higher Education Trends 2024 – What You Can Expect and What Not appeared first on College News.

We know that new businesses can provide a significant boost to the local economy by creating jobs and attracting investment — but are any colleges particularly good at keeping their entrepreneurial alums within the local area?

Methodology Behind Study

To find out, the Switch On Business team used Crunchbase and LinkedIn data to find business founders who graduated from 250 colleges (schools separated) with the most alumni founders to reveal the U.S. colleges that see the most business founder graduates launch companies within their college’s city or state: https://switchonbusiness.com/where-founders-launch/

Top 20 Colleges That Produce the Most Local Business Founders

SEE ALSO: Which Colleges and Universities Produce the Most Business Leaders?

The post Which Colleges and Universities Produce the Most Local Business Founders? appeared first on College News.

While some legitimate journals, known as open-access journals, demand fees in order to publish submissions, they normally only demand fees once a submission is accepted after peer review and do not demand fees just to consider a submission. After all, the purpose of the fees demanded by open-access journals is so that individuals can read articles on these journals without having to subscribe to them. About four months after I submitted the essays, I recieved an email stating that my essays had been accepted for publication and that in the next couple weeks, I would receive further instructions via email. That email never arrived. The journal simply proceeded to publish the essays.

The professor that taught one of the classes in which I wrote the essay emailed the journal specifically asking them not to include them as a co-author. However, once the essays were published, both of the professors were listed as co-authors. My professor subsequently threatened to sue the journal but rather than simply removing their name from the article, the journal then removed both articles entirely. Interestingly enough, the journal never provided me with feedback from its reviewers, implying that the essays never underwent any peer review but were instead, immediately accepted as publishable after payment, an occurrence that is common for predatory journals.

Such predatory journals publish whatever material is sent to them as long as the submission and publication fees are paid. Needless to say, these journals are quite detrimental to academia. The journal originally agreed to offer me a refund but eventually withdrew this offer and even threatened to re-post the articles with a “Retracted: Academic Dishonesty” label if I kept insisting on a refund. I later became aware that the Journal of Student Research has been questioned in the past about the lack of peer review that submissions undergo. The journal responded that no peer review is often necessary because of the quality of the articles. However, closer inspection of the articles shows that many of them are riddled with typos. This would imply that articles are published before they are even proofread by the journal. Furthermore, it doesn’t even seem possible for a journal to determine if the research presented in an article is adequate if the only people screening these articles are the journal’s editors who are not necessarily experts on the given topic.

This unprofessional behavior underscores the importance of caution among college students when dealing with academic journals that demand payment for publishing articles. It serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of predatory journals within the academic landscape. As students navigate the complex world of scholarly publishing, they should exercise heightened vigilance to discern reputable journals from those with dubious practices. This case serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for students to thoroughly research and critically evaluate the legitimacy of journals before submitting their work or engaging in any financial transactions. It underscores the significance of promoting ethical publishing practices within academic circles and encourages students to prioritize journals that prioritize the integrity of the scholarly process over financial gain. In this environment, staying informed, seeking guidance from academic mentors, and leveraging institutional resources can empower students to make informed decisions and safeguard their academic pursuits from the potential pitfalls associated with predatory journals.

SEE ALSO: How and Why Do College Students Cheat on Assignments?

The post An Encounter with a Predatory Journal appeared first on College News.

Full List of Nominees:

The post Television Academy Foundation Announces Nominees for 43rd College Television Awards appeared first on College News.

Results

86% of surveyed students admit they cheat in college in one way or another. Among them, 76% just copied others’ works from online resources, thus infringing copyright. When we asked about the plagiarism issues, students confessed to trying to paraphrase or synonymize those works.

Others appeared to be more concerned about getting plagiarism-free assignments: 53% said they asked AI text generators to craft essays for them; 48% replied they better trust their works to custom writing services because it’s a human writer crafting papers from scratch there, and the originality won’t suffer.

Why do Students Use Custom Writing Services?

The #1 reason for using writing services is the pressure to succeed (87%). High expectations from teachers, parents, and the public in general, based on the stereotype that one should perform well in school and college to land a good job and succeed in life, lead to students’ stress and anxiety. Afraid to fail the expectations, students seek assistance to manage their academic results. Another motivation is panic: 63% feel their knowledge isn’t enough to write an A-worthy essay, addressing online services for help. (Impostor syndrome and fear of failure are also here.)

The extensive group of motivations behind cheating on written assignments relates to time management: 68% of students lack this skill and can’t organize their schedule to complete tasks on the due date. For 85%, things are more complicated: Struggling with academic overload, they can’t physically meet all the strict deadlines and decide to delegate some written tasks to related services.

An expectedly high percentage of respondents (71%) call laziness the motivation for ordering papers from writing services. For 54%, cheating is OK or even necessary to stay competitive: Seeing their peers doing that, not getting caught, and achieving high results while spending less effort, honest students lose motivation and decide to follow the lead of those classmates.

For 33%, the lack of interest in a subject is enough to ask someone else to complete this subject’s related tasks for them. More practical and career-focused, modern students don’t see any reason to spend effort on anything they consider irrelevant or invaluable for their future life.

How Often do Students Use Essay Writing Services?

Given the primary motivations behind using essay writing services, 55% of respondents admit they do it regularly. Others (31%) said they paid for papers a few times (1-3) when academic overload with lack of time came by.

At the same time, 14% of students from those coming to Writing-Help’s chat indicated they would never pay for essays because of ethics. Answering the question, “How can we help you?” they said they came to the chat because of curiosity.

SEE ALSO: Which Colleges and Universities Produce the Most Business Leaders?

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