The Boston Globe publishes thousands of stories each year, but only a select few capture the public’s attention for weeks on end. The Secret Lives of Shelby Hewitt: 32 year old high school imposter is one such story—a fascinating tale of a 32-year-old woman who posed as a teenager to re-enroll in high school. This deep dive reveals the ripple effects on the schools, the Department of Children and Families, and the lives of those deceived by her audacious con. Prepare to be captivated by the first installment in a series that uncovers the shocking truth behind the masquerade.

To read more about what happened to Shelby Hewitt and all those who were affected by her deception catch up on all of Patricia Wen’s reporting:

A new twist in the saga of Shelby Hewitt, high school imposter

‘I lied to you about something big’: Confessions of Shelby Hewitt, high school imposter

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In part three of this collaboration with WNYC’s On The Media, the deep history of Harvard and the distinctly American idea of “diversity” is the hidden subtext for much of the recent strife. For most of the past half-century, the academy (and the business world) has embraced a concept of diversity as a social good.That concept, was developed at Harvard and endorsed by the Supreme Court, until the high court ended race-based affirmative action in 2023. This episode also looks at what’s in store for universities as the incoming Trump-Vance administration promises to pressure them to change curricula.

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In part two of this collaboration with WNYC’s On The Media, Claudine Gay is accused of academic plagiarism, just days after giving testimony to Congress. The drip-drip of new allegations keeps the story in the headlines. It also reinforces critics’ allegation that Gay is a “diversity hire,” unworthy of the job. We hear from two of the writers who broke that news, and from a defender of Harvard’s diversity efforts.

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