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