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Recent Submissions
Automated Unity: Evaluating the Uniform Law Commission's Autonomous Vehicle Act
(Washburn University School of Law, 2021-01) Hockstad, Trayce; Fisher, Justin
The Widening College Access Gap: Pell Grant Disinvestment and Declining Student Enrollment in the South
(Education Policy Center, 2025) Katsinas, Stephen G.; Keeney, Noel E.; Bray, Nathaniel J.; Alexander, F. King; Till, Garrett; Ogunnarin, Moses; Kelly, Patrick J.
This policy and research brief — produced by The University of Alabama’s Education Policy Center (UA-EPC)
for the Southern Education Foundation (SEF) — addresses the impact of inconsistent funding for Pell Grants and
their power as a tool for supporting students to and through college. Federal and state policymakers should push
for higher levels and steadier Pell Grant funding. Policymakers in the South should especially make consistent and
reliable Pell Grant funding a top priority in the federal budget, with an eye toward a better-prepared and more
skilled workforce to keep the region and nation economically competitive.
Iran/Afghanistan
(2025-04-21) GWSC
Broadband in Alabama’s Black Belt in 2025
(2025) Katsinas, Stephen G.; Vlacovsky, Henry N.; Till, Garrett A.; Bray, Nathaniel J.; Keeney, Noel E.; Blakley, Daniel J.; Ogunniran, Moses O.; Peterson,. Joscelyn K. J.; Bardwell, Kameryn
Broadband in Alabama’s Black Belt in 2025 describes the tremendous progress made to date and the persistent gaps that still exist. In partnership with the University of Alabama’ Center for Business and Economic Research, the Education Policy Center, UA’s oldest center or institute, has published 7 reports on Education & Workforce Development, 6 on Economic Development, Poverty, & Employment, 3 on Healthcare, and 4 on Infrastructure & Community Capacity. We draw from this extensive research, building on our 2020 brief, “Internet Access Disparities in Alabama & the Black Belt” and our 2022 brief, “Infrastructure in Alabama's Black Belt,” to answer three questions:
1. What is the total public investment of federal and state governments to achieve broadband connectivity since 2018, when the landmark Alabama Broadband Accessibility Act was passed?
2. What did these funds buy, especially in the Black Belt?
3. Given the moving target of changing high-speed benchmarks, what access gaps exist today that must be addressed to secure universal connectivity?
Uncertain Recovery for Community Colleges: Findings from the 2024 National Survey of Finance and Access
(Montezuma Publishing, 2025-09-01) Katsinas, Stephen G.; Till, Garrett A.; Bray, Nathaniel J.; Keeney, Noel E.
The 2024 National Survey of Finance and Access, conducted by The University of Alabama's Education Policy Center (EPC), draws on responses from state community college leaders in 45 states who possess broad knowledge across all educational sectors. The survey reveals concerning financial prospects for public higher education. State operating budget increases are projected below inflation (2.4% vs. 2.5%), with tuition expected to rise across sectors by an average of 2.3%. Community colleges show the strongest enrollment growth at 2.2%. Nearly half of the respondents cited recession as a major budget concern. A significant majority (63%) indicated that uncertain state funding threatens progress to improve access and completion. The slow FAFSA rollout compounds these challenges, creating a difficult environment for institutions supporting student success initiatives. These findings indicate a continuing pattern where the “high tuition/high aid” model fails to maintain affordability and access in economic downturns.