For students and families, navigating the world of higher education isn’t easy. Some of the challenges, like student loan debt, have been going on for years. Other challenges come from more recent changes in how the federal government approaches universities.

To explore these challenges, we're talking to John Maduko, who was appointed Interim Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system in June. We'll also hear from Jamal Watson, whose new book is The Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency.

GUESTS:


Jamal Watson: Journalist covering higher education. He’s also Associate Dean of the School of Professional and Graduate Studies and Professor of Strategic Communication and Public Relations at Trinity Washington University. His new book is The Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency.


John Maduko: Interim Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system.

If you want to learn more about higher education, you can listen to our recent interview with Beverly Daniel Tatum. You can also listen to our 2022 interview with John Maduko.

For students and families, navigating the world of higher education isn&rsquo;t easy. Some of the challenges, like student loan debt, have been going on for years. Other challenges come from more recent changes in how the federal government approaches universities.
To explore these challenges, we're talking to <a href="https://www.ct.edu/chancellor/bio">John Maduko</a>, who was appointed Interim Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system in June. We'll also hear from <a href="https://www.jamalwatson.com/">Jamal Watson</a>, whose new book is <a href="https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506495163/The-Student-Debt-Crisis">The Student Debt Crisis: America&rsquo;s Moral Urgency</a>.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.jamalwatson.com/">Jamal Watson</a>: Journalist covering higher education. He&rsquo;s also Associate Dean of the School of Professional and Graduate Studies and Professor of Strategic Communication and Public Relations at Trinity Washington University. His new book is <a href="https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506495163/The-Student-Debt-Crisis">The Student Debt Crisis: America&rsquo;s Moral Urgency</a>.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ct.edu/chancellor/bio">John Maduko</a>: Interim Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system.
</li>
</ul>
If you want to learn more about higher education, you can listen to our recent <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted/2025-10-10/dr-beverly-daniel-tatum-reflects-on-the-peril-and-promise-of-being-a-college-leader-today">interview with Beverly Daniel Tatum</a>. You can also listen to our <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted/2022-12-14/from-12-community-colleges-to-1-a-new-connecticut-state-community-college">2022 interview with John Maduko</a>.

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.

Visit ctpublic.org/disrupted for more! 

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.
Visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted">ctpublic.org/disrupted</a> for more!

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