I help academics outline their research findings and thought leadership ideas. Next, I assist in the drafting and placement of Op-Eds. I pitch to preferred national and regional outlets. Successful placements elevate the university and author, and deliver critical messages to new audiences and donors.

Services

What’s the tab?

Every Op-Ed is different and can present unique challenges and pathways, but here’s a recent example: The former Dean of an ACC business school shared a draft of an Op-Ed he had crafted. After reading it and suggesting changes, formatting it and recommending a headline, we agreed on a final draft. I offered suggestions about outlets where our pitch might be accepted, and he prioritized the list. Within 24 hours his piece had been accepted at The Hill. I calculated two billable hours and charged $200 for my services.

Identify, outline Op-Ed topic

$100.00

Collaborating on an Op-Ed begins with communication: discussing the issue, the impact and the position the author advocates. I share a specific, easy-to-follow outline format will serve as a guide to creating the first draft. My fee is $100 per hour.

Edit draft, discuss desired outlets

$100.00

I work with the author to edit the piece for clarity, publishing style and length. What separates an Op-Ed from all other writing is the element of advocacy. A classic opinion piece must crisply, and firmly take a stand on the issue and recommend what must be done to solve it. When there is agreement on a final draft the author can pitch the Op-Ed or engage me to reach out to my contacts.

If you are interested in developing your thought leadership or disseminating some of the headlines or your research findings far beyond your academic circles — you need Op-Eds for Higher-Ed.

I work with universities and their faculty to increase visibility through strategically placed op-eds in top-tier outlets. After serving as the Commentary Editor at an ACC school for seven years, I had collaborated with dozens and dozens of professors and administrators and achieved more than 250 Op-Ed placements. A few made it into The New York Times and The Washington Post, but most were published in the preferred national and regional outlets strategically targeted by the author or institution. The keywords shared in the Op-Ed and the pitch to editors often get the attention of prospective students, parents and donors.

Faculty research has the potential to shape public debate — but many scholars struggle to translate their expertise into compelling, publishable commentary. That’s where I come in and where my services can be most effective:

· One-on-one coaching to help faculty turn research into timely, persuasive op-eds.

· Editorial support to ensure pitches meet the standards of major opinion editors.

· Workshops designed for groups of faculty who want to engage the public more effectively.

The result: your institution’s voices are not only heard, but also recognized as thought leaders on issues that matter.

Who needs Op-Eds for Higher-Ed?

What clients say about working with Robert Ehlert after collaborating with him to create and publish Op-Eds. Once published in preferred outlets, these pieces bring notoriety to their research and to their institutions.

From Professor Michael Davis, an economist for the Cox School of Business, SMU Dallas. Davis collaborated with Robert Ehlert on nearly two dozen op-eds that were published in outlets such as USA Today, Fox News Online, The Chicago Tribune, The Hill, The Orange County Register, The Houston Chronicle and The Dallas Morning News. Regarding a Davis piece published in the Kansas City Star in June 2025 (comparing the careers of Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Josh Hawley), there was this unsolicited comment from the deputy opinion editor: “Thanks for the contribution. This is the best written guest piece I've had in a long time.”

“Bob amplified my voice without changing it. He was a great editor who would sharpen my writing without blunting the message. He knew which outlets to approach and how to get them to look at what I wanted them to publish.”

From Professor Jared Schroeder, an associate professor at the renowned University of Missouri School of Journalism. Schroeder was Robert Ehlert’s very first op-ed client just after Ehlert joined SMU as its Commentary Editor in 2018. They collaborated on such topics as Emerging Technology (AI, deepfakes, disinformation during elections), Freedom of Expression, Press Rights and First Amendment issue. Schroeder’s opinion pieces were published in USA Today, The Hill, Slate, Texas Tribune, The Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News and numerous others.

“I probably published a dozen op-eds in a variety of outlets with Bob’s help. He coached me into becoming a better op-ed writer. He gave me insight into what editors were looking for and had the contacts to get my pieces in front of the right people. The pieces we published helped elevate my institution and my career.”

From Professor Neely Laurenzo Myers, Chair of the Department of Anthropology at SMU Dallas and an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical School. Professor Myers had always wanted to craft op-eds and when her new book was released, Breaking Points: Youth Mental Health Crises and How We All Can Help (University of California Press, 2024), she was ready to engage. Myers understood the marketing advantages that opining on her book would provide, and her Op-Eds got educated families about a mental health crisis. d their parents.

“Bob is an excellent editor adept at trimming thoughts and ideas without sacrificing content — while respecting my authority and independence. He was also very well-connected and was able to secure swift and enthusiastic responses from multiple opinion editors. . . and place my pieces in two strong venues for the scope and topic. He had a keen sense of what would be a good fit with which editor.”

From SMU Professor Robert Hunt:

“I’ve worked with Bob for many years. He has helped me successfully place many Op Ed pieces in that time. With his editorial guidance, based on a keen sense of different media markets and their demands, my submissions have always been a success. He is a great person to work with: sharp, attentive to individuals, and prompt. “

From SMU Professor Jill DeTemple:

“Bob is a crack editor, really understands how placing op-eds works in a competitive arena, and has personal contacts in local and national media outlets. He helped me place several pieces that would have languished in obscurity without his wise and timely intervention.