Author Profile

Abraham Unger

Abraham Unger, Ph.D. is Director of Urban Programs and Associate Professor of Government and Politics at Wagner College. From 2017 to 2020 he also served as Project Manager of the East Shore Local Development Corporation for the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

He is the author of books on local economic development and community partnerships, including Business Improvement Districts in the United States and The Death and Life of the American Middle Class.

Articles by Abraham Unger

Why Liberal Arts Colleges Are Failing and How to Revive Them

Mar 31, 2021 · Abraham Unger · Comments Off

The loss of public trust in universities that has risen to front page news did not suddenly emerge in 2020. In 2018 the non-partisan Gallup organization found that, for the first time, less than half of Americans have “a lot of confidence” in higher education. Even more pointedly, Gallup reported that “No other institution has … Continue reading “Why Liberal Arts Colleges Are Failing and How to Revive Them”

A Chancellor Search Tainted with Suspicion and Shrouded in Secrecy Apr 19, 2021
The recent appointment of Darrell Allison to the chancellorship of Fayetteville State University (FSU) has sparked a controversy. The UNC Board of Governors’ (BOG) announcement elicited immediate pushback from those in the campus community and the story quickly attracted national attention. Allison was a member of the UNC BOG until last September when he abruptly … Continue reading “A Chancellor Search Tainted with Suspicion and Shrouded in Secrecy “
The Appalling Smith College Case—Race Tramples on Truth and Justice Apr 16, 2021
An unfolding case at Smith College shows how the obsession with race can blind administrators to facts and lead them to act in ways that harm innocent people. In 2018, Oumou Kanoute, a black student at Smith College, claimed that she was harassed by a janitor and police officer who had accused her of trespassing … Continue reading “The Appalling Smith College Case—Race Tramples on Truth and Justice”
Did You Know? Higher Ed Admissions Scandal Comes to Netflix Apr 15, 2021
Netflix’s documentary Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal tells the story of rich parents bribing their children’s way into their college of choice. While the story has been reported since 2019, the documentary shed light on some new information. Altogether, over 50 people were indicted for racketeering, mail fraud, and other charges. While many … Continue reading “Did You Know? Higher Ed Admissions Scandal Comes to Netflix”

A Conversation with UNC System President Peter Hans Apr 12, 2021
A new leader took the helm of the University of North Carolina system during a tumultuous time. In the midst of a global pandemic, Peter Hans was elected UNC system president on June 19, 2020 and assumed the role in August. The position was previously held by interim president Bill Roper, who stepped in after … Continue reading “A Conversation with UNC System President Peter Hans”
Did You Know? The Students Hurt Most by School Closings Apr 8, 2021
Over 20 percent of college students come from lower-income families, according to Inside Higher Ed. These students face the worst effects of school closings due to the pandemic—whether they’re in high school or college now. Elementary school students may be even worse off. Yale economist Fabrizio Zilibotti co-authored a study that found: Pandemic-related school closures … Continue reading “Did You Know? The Students Hurt Most by School Closings”
What Policies Are Conservatives Actually For in Higher Education? Apr 7, 2021
It’s no secret that higher ed reformers have struggled to offer a compelling alternative to free college and loan forgiveness offered from the left. This failure is partially because conservatives and libertarians are usually on the defensive about higher ed policy. In response to that problem, the American Enterprise Institute organized a panel discussion titled … Continue reading “What Policies Are Conservatives Actually For in Higher Education?”

Regional Colleges Can Compete by Emphasizing Choosing the Right Major Apr 9, 2021
The wage premium attached to a bachelor’s degree largely explains why high school graduates who would have previously looked for a job now apply to college. But they need to know up-front that what they major in has far more importance in landing a well-paying job than where they spend the next four years. For … Continue reading “Regional Colleges Can Compete by Emphasizing Choosing the Right Major”
What Policies Are Conservatives Actually For in Higher Education? Apr 7, 2021
It’s no secret that higher ed reformers have struggled to offer a compelling alternative to free college and loan forgiveness offered from the left. This failure is partially because conservatives and libertarians are usually on the defensive about higher ed policy. In response to that problem, the American Enterprise Institute organized a panel discussion titled … Continue reading “What Policies Are Conservatives Actually For in Higher Education?”
Why Liberal Arts Colleges Are Failing and How to Revive Them Mar 31, 2021
The loss of public trust in universities that has risen to front page news did not suddenly emerge in 2020. In 2018 the non-partisan Gallup organization found that, for the first time, less than half of Americans have “a lot of confidence” in higher education. Even more pointedly, Gallup reported that “No other institution has … Continue reading “Why Liberal Arts Colleges Are Failing and How to Revive Them”

A Chancellor Search Tainted with Suspicion and Shrouded in Secrecy Apr 19, 2021
The recent appointment of Darrell Allison to the chancellorship of Fayetteville State University (FSU) has sparked a controversy. The UNC Board of Governors’ (BOG) announcement elicited immediate pushback from those in the campus community and the story quickly attracted national attention. Allison was a member of the UNC BOG until last September when he abruptly … Continue reading “A Chancellor Search Tainted with Suspicion and Shrouded in Secrecy “
The Appalling Smith College Case—Race Tramples on Truth and Justice Apr 16, 2021
An unfolding case at Smith College shows how the obsession with race can blind administrators to facts and lead them to act in ways that harm innocent people. In 2018, Oumou Kanoute, a black student at Smith College, claimed that she was harassed by a janitor and police officer who had accused her of trespassing … Continue reading “The Appalling Smith College Case—Race Tramples on Truth and Justice”
Did You Know? Higher Ed Admissions Scandal Comes to Netflix Apr 15, 2021
Netflix’s documentary Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal tells the story of rich parents bribing their children’s way into their college of choice. While the story has been reported since 2019, the documentary shed light on some new information. Altogether, over 50 people were indicted for racketeering, mail fraud, and other charges. While many … Continue reading “Did You Know? Higher Ed Admissions Scandal Comes to Netflix”