Higher Education

Beijing – September 20, 2026 -- Nearly 210 million people around the world are now learning or using Chinese, according to China's Ministry of Education, as the language moves from classrooms into everyday pop culture and career paths.

Ninety countries have added Chinese to their national school curricula

The Ministry of Education reports that 90 countries have incorporated Chinese into their education systems. In the first half of this year, 564,000 candidates worldwide sat for the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), a 36 percent increase year on year.

Social media is turning Chinese habits into global trends

On TikTok, Chinese American creator Sherry Zhu built a following of 740,000 in months by posting videos about drinking hot water, wearing cotton slippers and brewing goji berries. One user reportedly memorized the character "呢" by breaking it into the sounds "o-p-t."

Tempe – September 19, 2026 -- AceMyHomework, an online tutoring platform based in Tempe, Arizona, announced an expanded focus on personalized academic support for college students, after serving more than 10,000 students since 2019.

The platform connects learners with more than 500 verified subject experts and offers 24/7 online homework help across more than 50 academic subjects, including mathematics, statistics, nursing, programming, biology, chemistry, accounting, finance, economics, business and writing-intensive coursework.

Students often understand the material but get stuck applying it to a specific assignment

According to the company, a statistics student may know the formulas but be unsure which test fits a dataset. A nursing student may understand terminology but struggle with the reasoning behind a clinical scenario. A programming student may have code that looks correct but cannot identify why it fails.

Joliet, Illinois – September 19, 2026 -- A new HelloNation feature outlines what families can expect when a child starts dance classes for the first time, drawing on guidance from Lori A. Bowen, MDE, of La Danse Académie in Joliet, Illinois.

Early dance classes prioritize confidence over technique

Bowen, who serves on the Board of Directors for the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and chairs its Ballet Forum, explains that beginner dance is designed as a positive introduction to structured movement rather than a push for precise technique. Classes typically include creative movement, simple patterns, and musical games that let children succeed without pressure or comparison to peers.

Ypsilanti – September 19, 2026 -- Eastern Michigan University Credit Union (EMUCU) opened a full-service branch this summer at 611 W. Cross Street, directly across from the EMU campus in downtown Ypsilanti, just as the fall semester begins.

The branch, a division of the University of Michigan Credit Union (UMCU), serves EMU students, faculty, staff and Ypsilanti residents. Members can bank in person or use interactive video teller machines (ITM) to connect face-to-face on screen with an EMUCU representative.

The branch offers checking, savings and lending alongside financial education

Beyond standard checking, savings and lending products, EMUCU runs financial education workshops and group learning sessions covering budgeting, building credit and managing debt. The Cross Street location also provides competitive rates on home, vehicle and personal loans for students and residents.

Tallahassee, Fla. – September 19, 2026 -- Families saving for their children's education may be underestimating what a 529 plan can actually pay for, according to the Florida Prepaid College Board.

As National College Savings Month is marked this month, the Board is highlighting that 529 plans no longer apply only to traditional four-year degrees. Depending on the specific plan and applicable law, qualified withdrawals can cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, certain room-and-board costs, registered apprenticeship programs, select K-12 expenses, educational testing costs and limited student loan repayment.

Los Angeles -- September 19, 2026 -- A 17-year-old UCLA student has launched a platform designed to help college students trade seats in full classes instead of waiting on waitlists. Joseph Borna built ClassSwap after struggling to get into required courses during his own coursework at UCLA.

Students list the class they have and the class they want

On ClassSwap, users post the course or section they currently hold alongside the one they are trying to enter. The platform then attempts to connect students with matching, compatible needs. Users can also set alerts to watch specific classes and get notified when a relevant opening appears.

"I kept thinking that there are students all over campus trying to solve the exact same problem separately," Borna said. "There should be one place where they can actually find each other."

Colorado Springs – September 18, 2026 -- GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers will open its 64th location on Saturday, September 26, bringing free educational, therapeutic, career-development and social programs to individuals with Down syndrome and their families across the Pikes Peak region.

The grand opening celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2360 Montebello Square Dr, Suite A, in Colorado Springs. Founder and Chief Belief Officer Nancy Gianni and her daughter, GiGi Gianni, will attend to mark the milestone.

A group of local parents built the Playhouse from scratch

The Colorado Springs location began with families searching for resources after a Down syndrome diagnosis. Startup Lead Katie Stoddard found GiGi's Playhouse online shortly after her daughter Margo was born but discovered no location existed near her family, prompting a group of local parents to form a startup committee.

Mount Airy, GA – September 17, 2026 -- The Lutzie 43 Foundation will hold a Safe Driving Summit at Habersham Central High School on Tuesday, September 22, running from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2059 St. Hwy 197 S. in Mount Airy, GA. Sponsored by Bulldog Kia, the event targets distracted, impaired and unsafe driving among high school students.

Mike Lutzenkirchen opens with his son's story

Executive Director Mike Lutzenkirchen will deliver the keynote, recounting the death of his son Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Auburn University football standout killed in a single-vehicle crash in 2014. Lutzenkirchen said the goal is to have students adopt the foundation's '43 Key Seconds' safe driving routine, calling the combination of Philip's story and firsthand accounts from law enforcement, trucking and healthcare partners 'an eye-opening experience.'

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- GED Testing Service will mark National GED Day on September 16, honoring adults who earned a high school equivalency credential and the millions still working toward one.

More than 30 million U.S. adults lack a high school diploma

The GED program offers those adults a route into college, workforce training, military service, and jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, skilled trades, and technology, according to GED Testing Service.

One graduate turned her GED into a healthcare career

Iris earned her GED and now works as a Medical Assistant at a fertility clinic. She plans to become a Phlebotomy Technician next, with a longer-term goal of becoming a nurse. "My GED helped me take the first step toward the career I wanted," Iris said. "It was challenging and rewarding at the same time. My advice is to keep trying because it's never too late to invest in your education and build a better future."

PHOENIX – September 16, 2026 -- University of Phoenix has opened enrollment for a new three-year Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, a 90-credit online degree built specifically for working professionals already in the field.

The program requires at least three years of prior work experience

Unlike the university's standard four-year criminal justice bachelor's degree, which requires 120 credits, this accelerated track is capped at 90 credits and is open only to students with a minimum of three years of professional experience in criminal justice or security. The program sits within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and was approved by the Higher Learning Commission, which has continuously accredited University of Phoenix since 1978.