In this in-depth conversation, Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris joins Gerardo to unpack how America’s obsession with elite college rankings distorts our sense of what higher education is for. From his days inside U.S. News & World Report to his years building an alternative ranking system rooted in upward mobility, research, and civic service, Glastris offers a powerful critique — and a hopeful vision for how colleges can once again serve democracy.



They dig into:




The myth of “best” colleges and how exclusivity became a badge of honor



Why schools like Fresno State and Berea College outshine Ivy League institutions in real impact



How higher ed has become a political battleground — and what’s at stake for our democracy



What vocational education really looks like when it’s not just political theater



How students, families, and educators can use data wisely and choose institutions that serve the public good




Listen if you care about:



Educational equity • Democracy • College access • First-gen students • Public policy • Media and truth-telling



Guest:



Paul Glastris, Editor-in-Chief of The Washington Monthly



Follow him on X and BlueSky: @glastris



Explore the latest college rankings at washingtonmonthly.com



Host:



Gerardo A. Muñoz — 2021 Colorado Teacher of the Year, educator, scholar, disruptor, and co-host of Too Dope Teachers and a Mic



Music by:



Kevin Adams



Links Mentioned:




Washington Monthly 2025 College Rankings: washingtonmonthly.com/college-guide



Washington Monthly Podcast

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