Changing Enrollment Rates and the International Day of the Girl Child

In this week’s episode of JustLove, first up we will be taking a look at some of the demographics of higher education and the recently reported changing enrollment rates between male and female students, and what some of the potential consequences of these differences might be for the future. Our second guest, we commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child on Monday, October 11th through the work of the Los Angeles-based non-profit “WriteGirl.”

Dr. Douglas Shapiro Ph.D. is the Executive Research Director at the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, the research arm of the National Student Clearinghouse, and works with higher education institutions, states, districts, high schools, and educational organizations to better inform practitioners and policymakers through accurate longitudinal data reporting, about student educational pathways leading to improved student outcomes. Dr. Douglas Shapiro talks with us a bit about the recent findings that seem to show a growing gap between the number of males and females that are enrolling in American institutions of higher education, how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted this gap between male and female enrollment in higher education. What are some of the causes and consequences of this growing gap?

Keren Taylor is the Executive Director and Founder of WriteGirl, a Los Angeles-based creative writing and mentoring organization that spotlights the power that girls have through their pens, promoting creativity and self-expression. During this week, we commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child on Monday, October 11th. Keren Taylor talks about the work of “WriteGirl” and how the organization lives out its motto: ”Never Underestimate the Power of a Girl and her Pen.” WriteGirl encourages achievement in their alumna, including Amanda Gorman, who – at 22 years old – was the youngest inaugural poet for this past January’s 59th Inaugural Ceremony.

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