"National CrossTalk" is a publication of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. The National Center promotes public policies that enhance opportunities for quality education and training beyond high school. The primary purpose of "National CrossTalk" is to stimulate informed discussion and debate of higher education issues. This issue of "National CrossTalk" includes the following articles: (1) The Presidential Treatment: The Obama Administration Makes Big Advances, Faces Tough Challenges, in Higher Education Policy (Jon Marcus); The Virginia Plan: State's Community Colleges Confront the Need to Do More with Less (Robert A. Jones); (2) Indiana's "Eighth University" Western Governors University Brings Its "Competency-Based" Approach to the Hoosier State (Kathy Witkowsky); and (3) Allison Barber: WGU Indiana's Chancellor Leads a Public Relations Campaign. Regular sections include: (1) Editorial by Governor James B. Hunt Jr., former Governor of North Carolina and Chair of the National Center Board of Directors, and Patrick M. Callan, President of the National Center; (2) News from the Center; (3) Other Voices, which includes: (a) Not Ready for College: States Must Have a Systemic, Comprehensive Agenda for College Preparation (David Spence); (b) Making the Middle Class: Don't Let the Recession Fool You--Postsecondary Education Is More Valuable Than Ever (Anthony P. Carnevale and Michelle Melton); and (c) Baby Bonds: Government Sponsored Child Savings Accounts Could Help Families to Pay for College (David L. Kirp). "Strengthening College Opportunity and Performance: Federal, State and Institutional Leadership," a policy report from The Delta Project on Postsecondary Education Costs, Productivity, and Accountability, the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, and the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, is also included.