Afternoon Update: A spy at Yale

Plus, after a first-year rocked by protests, a university president starts over. ADVERTISEMENT [Afternoon Update Logo]( Get to know the pioneer of American studies: a spy himself Norman Holmes Pearson made a lasting impression on American culture and colleges, although his work has remained largely invisible. During World War II Holmes created and led “X-2,” or the Office of Strategic Services’ counterespionage program. He turned down high-ranking positions in the State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency after the war to return to Yale, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1941. At Yale he took on an active role recruiting new agents from the university’s student body. But that’s not all he did. You also have Pearson to thank, in part, for the prevalence of American studies departments. [Read more about his enduring legacy in this Review essay](. Can’t get enough of espionage? This essay posits that the CIA secretly exploits higher education. [In his 2017 essay for the Review]( Daniel Golden writes about the two antithetical cultures — academe’s openness and international work, and intelligence agencies’ clandestine and nationalistic obligations — and how they’ve collided throughout the years. Ann Cudd had big plans for Portland State University, then came the protests. Cudd had a clear assignment when she started her first year at PSU: enforce budget cuts guided by a strategic plan. The university’s enrollment and finances were trending downward, and the board wanted the institution in steadier financial water. Then, protesters stormed a board meeting, occupied the library, and chained themselves to an administration building. The strategic plan had to be put aside for more urgent questions like, if and when to send armed police into the library to remove protesters. With the start of a new academic year, Cudd has a fresh start. [Our David Jesse reports](. Upcoming Workshop [The Chronicle's Career Pathways Workshop | October 2024] Join The Chronicle’s Career Pathways Workshop this October! This half-day virtual program will provide individuals at every stage of the career exploration journey with the necessary insights and tools needed to consider diverse career opportunities beyond the faculty. [Learn more and register today.]( Subscribe to The Chronicle Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. Virtual Events: Tune In Live ENROLLMENT AND RECRUITMENT [The Year Ahead: Enrollment Issues and Solutions]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: October 16, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Every fall, colleges take a breather and evaluate whether enrollment went well. Join this virtual forum to gain insights on how you can make next year’s enrollment a success. With Support From MARKETview. [Register here.]( ENROLLMENT AND ADMISSIONS [Microcredentials’ Macro-Potential]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: October 17, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Headlines about the state of the humanities make dire predictions. But some colleges are seeing enrollment increases in these disciplines. Join us to explore the future of the humanities.With Support From Teagle. [Register here.]( STUDENT SUCCESS [The Student-Success Journey: Helping Students Overcome Loneliness]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: October 23, 2024 | 2 p.m. E.T. Loneliness is a silent epidemic on college campuses. Join this virtual forum to see how colleges are handling this issue, and how you can too. With Support From Mongoose. [Register here.]( From the Chronicle Store [Adapting to AI - The Chronicle Store]( [Adapting to AI]( Artificial intelligence has taken higher ed by storm, and the implications extend far beyond the classroom. [Order this report]( to improve your understanding of AI technologies, and explore how other colleges are adapting their policies and guidelines. Job Opportunities [Search jobs on The Chronicle job board]( [Find Your Next Role Today]( Whether you are actively or passively searching for your next career opportunity, The Chronicle is here to support you throughout your job search. Get started now by [exploring 30,000+ openings]( or [signing up for job alerts](. Read Our Other Newsletters [Latitudes]( | [Race on Campus]( | [The Review]( | [Teaching]( | [Your Career]( | [Weekly Briefing]( | [The Edge]( Newsletter Feedback [Please let us know what you thought of today's newsletter in this three-question survey](. [The Chronicle of Higher Education Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037