In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Sara Goldrick-Rab, author of Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream, joins us to explore the critical issues of housing and food insecurity faced by young people in college. A senior fellow at Education Northwest and adjunct professor at the Community College of Philadelphia, Sara brings insight into how students are being underserved by the very system meant to support their educational journey. We delve into the impact of these financial challenges on students' academic success, well-being, and future aspirations, illuminating the urgent need for reform in financial aid and institutional support. Our conversation launches a new arc in this podcast series, exploring the human capacity for change and adaptation. We reflect on humanity’s enduring ability to adapt across behavior, thought, and culture—essential traits for survival and progress. Sara's work urges us to consider a more adaptable, inclusive vision for college that supports students in both learning and life.

Sara Goldrick-Rab is a scholar-activist whose pathbreaking research, teaching, and advocacy has changed how higher education understands and supports college students. A sociologist, she focuses on reducing poverty by revealing unheard truths and sharing that knowledge with multiple publics. Sara’s award-winning book, Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream, documents the failures of policymakers and higher education institutions to make college affordable. Her scientific studies identifying and addressing college students’ basic needs for food, housing, childcare, transportation, and health supports sparked the internationally-known #RealCollege movement and inspired federal and state data collection and legislation, as well as countless privately-funded programs.

Resources:

https://saragoldrickrab.com/

Sara's book "Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream: https://www.amazon.com/Paying-Price-Financial-Betrayal-American/dp/022640434X

You can find Sara on X: https://x.com/saragoldrickrab

Mentioned in this Episode:

Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much: https://www.amazon.com/Scarcity-Having-Little-Means-Much-ebook/dp/B00BMKOO6S