Student Affairs NOW 100 Days In: Power, Policy, and Pushback in Higher Education
May 2, 2025
Join Crystal Garcia, an expert in minoritized student experiences and associate professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, alongside OiYan Poon, co-director of the College of Admissions Futures Collaborative. They discuss the first 100 days under the current administration, revealing significant shifts in higher education policy. The conversation dives into the struggles of marginalized students, the balance of compliance versus pushback, and the vital role of faculty activism in advocating for equity. Their insights inspire hope and resilience amidst turbulent times.
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100 Days Reveal Education Assault
- The first 100 days of the Trump administration reveal a coordinated effort targeting higher education, slashing funding and undermining DEI and student protections.
- This period highlights escalating political pressure reshaping universities and exposing vulnerabilities in marginalized groups' experiences.
Students Baffled by Banned Words
- Crystal Garcia recounted students' shock at banned words lists in federal grants, illustrating real harm caused by politicized attacks on academic freedom.
- She narrated the confusion and fear felt by international and marginalized students facing visa scrutiny and legal uncertainty.
Trump's Strategy of Targeting
- Trump admitted targeting powerful institutions indiscriminately, signaling a tussle with legal norms and institutions.
- His surprise at some outcomes reveals the unpredictable nature of authoritarian tactics in higher education policy.
