[Kirk] So, Jon, what might this mean for colleges and universities?
[Jon] Well, we’re already seeing some changes in higher education policy under the Trump administration. For example, they’ve rolled back regulations on for-profit colleges and student loan forgiveness programs. And they’ve also increased funding for apprenticeships and vocational training programs.
[Kirk] To get a sense of what’s next for colleges and students, we spoke with Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, the nation’s biggest association of colleges and universities.
[Ted Mitchell] I think it’s impossible to know exactly what the next four years will hold, but we do know that we’re going to have to continue to work with whoever is in the White House to ensure that higher education remains accessible and affordable for all students.
[Jon] So, Kirk, it seems like there’s a lot of uncertainty about what the future holds for higher education under a second Trump administration.
[Kirk] That’s right, Jon. And one policy that seems likely to move forward quickly is the expansion of apprenticeships. To learn more about this, we spoke with Jennifer Thornton, who works with the Business Higher Education Forum, and Maria Flynn from Jobs for the Future.
[Jennifer Thornton] Apprenticeships can provide students with valuable skills and experience that can help them succeed in the workforce.
[Maria Flynn] And by expanding these programs, we can help bridge the gap between education and employment, giving students more opportunities to learn and grow.
[Kirk] It’s clear that there are a lot of changes on the horizon for higher education, and it’s important for students and colleges to be prepared for what comes next.
[Jon] We also spoke with students who backed Trump and those who reacted to his reelection fearfully. And Jenson Wu of The Trevor Project, which advocates for LGBTQ youth, tells us how a second Trump term could have a particular impact on LGBTQ college students.
[Kirk] So, Jon, what’s the bottom line here?
[Jon] The bottom line is that the future of higher education is uncertain under a second Trump administration. But one thing is clear: colleges and students need to be prepared for whatever comes next.
[Kirk] Thanks for listening to College Uncovered from GBH News and The Hechinger Report. I’m Kirk Carapezza.
[Jon] And I’m Jon Marcus. Stay tuned for more episodes coming soon.
Listen to the whole series here.
TRANSCRIPT
It’s meant to create a framework for conversation and to galvanize people around a set of ideas. But the fact of the matter is that the Education Department is a very complex and very large organization. It touches the lives of almost every student in the country in some way. And so the notion that you could just eliminate it is not only unrealistic, it’s not a good idea.
[Kirk] Mitchell believes that the Education Department serves a vital role in providing support and resources to students and educators across the country. And he hopes that the incoming administration will prioritize education and work towards improving outcomes for all students.
[Jon] So as we look ahead to the next four years, it’s clear that there are many challenges and opportunities facing higher education in the United States. From accountability and transparency to student loan debt and international student enrollment, the decisions made by the Biden administration will have far-reaching implications for colleges and universities across the country.
[Kirk] And as always, we’ll be here to cover it all. Thanks for listening to this special episode of the Higher Ed Rewired podcast. Be sure to subscribe and stay tuned for more updates on the future of higher education.
[Jon] So, it seems like expanding apprenticeships is something that has broad support and could potentially have a big impact on workforce development.
[Kirk] Absolutely. It’s a policy area where there’s a lot of potential for bipartisan cooperation and positive outcomes for both workers and businesses.
[Jon] And with the Trump administration likely to continue pushing for apprenticeships, it will be interesting to see how this policy evolves in the coming years.
[Kirk] Definitely. It’s an exciting time for workforce development and education policy, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on how things develop. Stay tuned for more updates on these important issues. Thank you for listening.
[Kirk] So, it seems like the debate about the value of a college education and the role of higher education in society is far from over. As we move forward, it will be important to continue exploring alternative pathways to the workforce and ensuring that all Americans have access to the education and training they need to succeed. And perhaps most importantly, we must uphold the principles of academic freedom and democracy that are at the core of our educational institutions. Thank you for joining us on this journey of reflection and discussion.
Overall, the reactions from college students to Trump’s reelection and the potential impact on their future are varied. Some, like Matthew Trott, are optimistic about the economic benefits they believe Trump will bring. Others, like Samantha Greene and Cody Clark, are fearful of the potential setbacks for marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQ individuals. The divisive rhetoric and policies of the Trump administration have created a sense of uncertainty and fear among many college students, leading to concerns about their mental health and well-being.
As the country moves forward, it will be important for leaders to consider the diverse perspectives and experiences of college students in shaping policies and decisions that will impact their futures. It is crucial to create a more inclusive and equitable society that reflects the values and aspirations of all Americans, as envisioned by the founders of the nation. El informe de Hechinger proporciona informes detallados, basados en hechos y imparciales sobre educación que es gratuito para todos los lectores. Pero eso no significa que sea gratuito de producir. Nuestro trabajo mantiene informados a educadores y al público sobre problemas urgentes en escuelas y campus en todo el país. Contamos la historia completa, incluso cuando los detalles son inconvenientes. Ayúdanos a seguir haciéndolo.
Únete hoy.
Este episodio fue producido y escrito por Kirk Carapezza y Jon Marcus, y fue editado por Jeff Keating y Lee Hill.
Ellen London es la productora ejecutiva. Asistencia de producción de Diane Adame.
Mezcla en diseño de sonido por David Goodman y Gary Mott. Toda nuestra música es de bandas universitarias. Nuestra canción de tema y música original es de Left Roman de MIT. Mai He es nuestra gerente de proyecto, y el jefe de podcasts de GBH es Devin Maverick Robins.
College Uncovered es una producción de GBH News y The Hechinger Report, y es distribuido por PRX. Es posible gracias a la Fundación Lumina.
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