dotEDU: Higher Education Policy Explained

The latest episode of dotEDU Live unpacks the sweeping layoffs at the Department of Education and their implications for colleges and universities. Hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja are joined by ACE President Ted Mitchell to break down the budget battle in Congress, the department's restructuring, and the ripple effects on financial aid, student services, and institutional oversight.

The discussion also covers the Trump administration's ongoing investigations into higher education institutions, including Title VI enforcement actions and DEI-related scrutiny, as well as the shifting landscape for federal grant funding.

Send suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation on X or Bluesky or email [email protected]. Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Education Department Cuts Half Its Staff as Trump Vows to Wind the Agency Down The Associated Press | March 11, 2025

Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Significant Layoffs at the Department of Education ACE | March 11, 2025

U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Sends Letters to 60 Universities Under Investigation for Antisemitic Discrimination and Harassment Department of Education | March 10, 2025

Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell Opposing the Trump Administration's Cancellation of Grants and Contracts to Columbia University ACE | March 10, 2025

Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness White House | March 7, 2025

Office for Civil Rights Initiates Title VI Investigations into Institutions of Higher Education Department of Education | March 14, 2025

OPINION: Here's Why We Cannot Permit America's Partnership with Higher Education to Weaken or Dissolve By ACE President Ted Mitchell The Hechinger Report | March 18, 2025

Trump Demands Major Changes in Columbia Discipline and Admissions Rules The New York Times (sub. req.) | March 13, 2025

Susan Collins Announces Reinstatement of University of Maine System's Paused USDA Funding Maine Public | March 12, 2025

In this episode of dotEDU, Sarah Spreitzer and Mushtaq Gunja give an update on the unprecedented workforce cuts at the Department of Education and share their concerns about the immediate and long-term implications for higher education.

After that, the hosts take a look back at the troubled rollout of the new FAFSA system. Jeremy Singer, president of the College Board, talks about his time at the Department of Education last year leading the FAFSA relaunch effort at Federal Student Aid. He shares firsthand insights into what went wrong, the challenges of managing a large-scale federal program, and the lessons learned from the rollout.

Send suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation on X or Bluesky or email [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's episode:

Education Department Lays Off Nearly Half of Staff Inside Higher Ed | March 11, 2025

Department of Education Investigating 60 Colleges and Universities Over Antisemitism Claims CNN | March 11, 2025

Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness The White House | March 7, 2025

White House Cancels $400 Million in Grants and Contracts to Columbia The New York Times (sub. req.) | March 7, 2025

Johns Hopkins Plans Staff Layoffs After $800 Million Grant Cuts The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | March 11, 2025

USDA Halts Millions in Funding for University of Maine System Portland Press Herald (sub. req.) | March 11, 2025

What Is the FAFSA Simplification Act? Federal Student Aid

FAFSA Is Officially Out, and Everyone Is Cautiously Optimistic The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Nov. 21, 2024

Flawed FAFSA Rollout Leads to 11.6% Drop In Students Filling Out the College Financial Aid Form Chalkbeat Colorado | July 8, 2024

New Clearinghouse Data Shows Freshman Enrollment Has, in Fact, Increased Diverse: Issues In Higher Education | Jan. 23, 2025

As colleges and universities face mounting federal scrutiny, dotEDU Live hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the latest developments from the Department of Education, the White House, and Congress. They discuss the Education Department's revised FAQ on DEI policies, newly confirmed Secretary Linda McMahon's plans for the department, and the Trump administration's increasing use of federal funding to pressure institutions. The conversation also covers ongoing research funding disruptions, the potential for a government shutdown, and heightened federal investigations into campus protests.

Send suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation on X or Bluesky or email [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Dear Colleague Letter SFFA v. Harvard U.S. Department of Education | Feb. 14, 2025

ACE, Higher Education Groups Urge Department of Education to Rescind DEI "Dear Colleague" Letter ACE | March 3, 2025

U.S. Department of Education Releases Frequently Asked Questions on Dear Colleague Letter About Racial Preferencing U.S. Department of Education | March 1, 2025

Secretary McMahon: Our Department's Final Mission U.S. Department of Education | March 3, 2025

Linda McMahon Confirmed as Education Secretary Inside Higher Ed | March 3, 2025 Education Dept. Workers Offered Buyouts Ahead of 'Very Significant' Layoffs The New York Times | Feb. 28, 2025

Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Cost Efficiency Initiative The White House | Feb. 26, 2025

Trump Threatens to Pull Federal Funds for U.S. Schools Allowing 'Illegal Protests" The Guardian | March 4, 2025

ED, HHS, and GSA Announce Additional Measures to End Anti-Semitic Harassment on College Campuses U.S. Department of Education | March 3, 2025

The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has issued a sweeping directive declaring that race-conscious student programs, financial aid, and support services violate federal civil rights law—giving colleges just 14 days to comply. ACE President Ted Mitchell joins hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja to discuss the implications for campuses. The episode also covers recent developments, including funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health and Linda McMahon's Senate confirmation hearing for Secretary of Education.

Note: For examples of grants that have been stopped, please send stories and concerns to ACE Government Relations.

Send suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation on X or Bluesky or email [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

U.S. Department of Education Directs Schools to End Racial Preferences U.S. Department of Education | Feb. 18, 2025

Senate Questions McMahon on the Future of the Education Department, DEI, and Student Aid in Confirmation Hearing ACE | Feb. 14, 2025

Trump Taps Biden Critic Nicholas Kent as Under Secretary Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 11, 2025

Higher Education Association Lawsuit Challenges NIH Action on F&A Reimbursement ACE | Feb. 10, 2025

Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs Explainer Association of American Universities | YouTube

After Sweeping Anti-DEI Guidance, What Should Colleges Do? Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 18, 2025

Post-SFFA v. Harvard & UNC Decision Resources: Admissions and Beyond ACE | Dec. 10, 2024

Higher Education Leaders Gather in Washington for ACEx2025 ACE | Feb. 14, 2025

In this all-Q&A episode of dotEDU Live, hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the latest policy shifts, legal battles, and administrative chaos facing colleges and universities in the Trump administration's first weeks. From the fallout of the now-blocked federal spending freeze to the uncertain future of DEI funding and research grants, they answer audience questions on how agencies are interpreting new executive orders, the impact on funding, and whether the administration can really dismantle the Department of Education.

Send suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Higher Education & The Trump Transition American Council on Education

Trump Planning EO Directing Education Department to 'Diminish Itself,' Reports Say Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 3, 2025

Republicans Praise Trump Plans To Dismantle Department of Education, but Others See a Contradiction The Boston Globe (sub. req.) | Feb. 5, 2025

Higher Ed Fights Back Against Trump's DEI Order Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 5, 2025

Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism White House Executive Order |Jan. 29, 2025

U.S. Department of Education Probes Cases of Antisemitism at Five Universities Department of Education | Feb. 3, 2025

HHS' Civil Rights Office Acts Swiftly to Combat Anti-Semitism Department of Health and Human Services | Feb. 3, 2025

Justice Department Announces Formation of Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism Department of Justice | Feb. 3, 2025

Trump Orders Disrupt Academic Research Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 3, 2025

NOTE: Both parts of this episode were recorded before the administration rescinded the order.

The Trump administration's sweeping pause on all federal grants set off a wave of confusion and concern across higher education. But just minutes before it was set to take effect, a federal judge blocked the order, putting the freeze on hold until at least next Monday. In this episode recorded Jan. 28, Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja provide important context on the rapidly evolving situation. Jon and Sarah are later joined by ACE President Ted Mitchell for a deeper conversation on what we know, what's at stake, and what could come next for colleges, universities, and students nationwide.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

M-25-13 Temporary Pause to Review Agency Grant Loan and Other Financial Assistance Programs Office of Management and Budget | Jan. 27, 2025

Instructions for Federal Financial Assistance Program Analysis in Support of M-25-13 Office of Management and Budget | Jan. 27, 2025

Office of Management and Budget Guidance Document on M-25-13 Office of Management and Budget | Jan. 27, 2025

Trump's Executive Orders Shift Higher Education Landscape American Council on Education | Jan. 27, 2025

Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Federal Assistance Pause American Council on Education | Jan. 28, 2025

Higher Ed Alarmed by Trump's Plan to Freeze Federal Grants Inside Higher Ed | Jan. 28, 2025

Trump Spending Freeze Upends Washington, Triggering Legal Threats and Delays The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Jan. 28, 2025

The Federal Funding Pause Does Not Apply to Student Loans and Pell Grants The New York Times (sub. req.) | Jan. 28, 2025

States, Nonprofit Groups Pursue Lawsuits to Stop Grant Freeze Roll Call | Jan. 28, 2025

National Council of Nonprofits, American Public Health Association, Main Street Alliance, and Sage v. Office of Management and Budget

Does Trump Have the Power to Block Spending That Congress Has Authorized? The New York Times (sub. req.) | Jan. 28, 2025

White House Tries to Clarify Trump Federal Spending Freeze as Confusion Spreads The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Jan. 28, 2025

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration Freeze on Federal Grants and Loans Associated Press | Jan. 28, 2025

Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the early days of the Trump administration's second term and its impact on higher education. With 28 executive orders already issued—many targeting DEI, immigration, and gender policies—the hosts analyze what's changed, what's stayed the same, and what's likely to face legal challenges. Key topics include new executive actions on immigration that could affect international and undocumented students, the administration's sweeping approach to DEI restrictions, and the implications for federal grant programs. They also discuss how colleges and universities can respond strategically in an uncertain policy environment and what ACE is doing to advocate for higher education.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

President Trump's Executive Orders Impacting Higher Education

Issue Brief: Immigration-Related Campus Concerns ACE | Jan. 16, 2025

Statement from a DHS Spokesperson on Directives Expanding Law Enforcement and Ending the Abuse of Humanitarian Parole Department of Homeland Security | Jan. 21, 2025

White House Orders Government DEI Employees to Be Placed on Leave CNN | Jan. 22, 2025

Trump Executive Order Says Federal Government Only Recognizes "Two Sexes" CBS News | Jan. 21, 2025

President Biden Drops Unfinished Protections for Trans Athletes ABC News | Dec. 21, 2024

In this special episode of dotEDU Live, hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer engage with the distinguished ACE Fellows, a prestigious group of faculty, staff, and administrators who are preparing for senior leadership roles in higher education.

Jon and Sarah kick off the discussion with an overview of the recent election results and the shifts in congressional leadership, highlighting key moments such as the election of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).

The episode features an engaging Q&A segment where Jon and Sarah address audience questions about executive actions, regulatory changes, and practical advice for navigating the evolving political landscape.

Interested in applying for the next ACE Fellows cohort? Go here to learn more about the program.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

ACE Fellows Program American Council on Education Heavy Snow and Ice Shift From Midwest to Mid-Atlantic as Major Storm Treks Eastward The Washington Post | Jan. 6, 2025 Johnson Re-elected as Speaker After Putting Down GOP Revolt The New York Times | Jan. 3, 2025 Quick Action Planned for 'Big, Beautiful' Budget Bill Roll Call | Jan. 5, 2025 Smith Floats University Endowment Tax Hike to GOP House Members Bloomberg Tax | Jan. 4, 2025 College Cost Reduction Act: By the Numbers American Council on Education Republicans' real immigration dilemma: How big to go in Congress Semafor | Jan. 2, 2025 Trump Plans Major Reshaping of U.S. Policies Within Hours of Taking Office Reuters | Dec. 11, 2024 Colleges Warn Foreign Students to Get to Campus Before Trump Takes Office The New York Times | Dec.11, 2024 Trump Initiatives Might Be Foiled by the Right's Defeat of Chevron The Washington Post | Nov. 25, 2024 J.D. Vance Called Universities 'The Enemy.' Now He's Trump's VP Pick. Inside Higher Ed | July 16, 2024

In this episode of dotEDU Live, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are joined by a full team of ACE experts—Steven Bloom, Peter McDonough, and Emmanual Guillory—to take a deeper look at what the post-election landscape looks like for higher education policy.

This episode covers key developments, including Linda McMahon's nomination as Secretary of Education, shifts in congressional leadership, and the Trump administration's stance on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The discussion also explores upcoming regulatory challenges and what to expect during the administration's first 100 days.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Colleges Wonder if They Will Be 'the Enemy' Under Trump The New York Times | Nov. 12, 2024

Trump Initiatives Might be Foiled by the Right's Defeat of Chevron The Washington Post | Nov. 25, 2024

The Only Certainty Is Uncertainty Inside Higher Ed | July 2, 2024

GOP Caught Between Immigration and Tax Cuts for Early 2025 Priorities The Washington Post | Dec. 4, 2024

Campuses Advise International Students to Return by Inauguration Day Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 26, 2024

Trump Says he Wants DACA Recipients to be Able to Stay in the U.S. NBC News | Dec. 8, 2024

DOJ v. DEI: Trump's Justice Department Likely to Target Diversity Programs Reuters | Dec. 10, 2024

Trump Likely to End Title IX Trans Protections Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 15, 2024

How Linda McMahon Might Approach the Dept. of Education The New York Times | Nov. 20, 2024

On Trump Tax Cuts, Energy and Immigration Plans, Clash Emerges Between House, Senate GOP Leaders CNBC | Dec. 4, 2024

House Republicans Aim to Pass Higher Ed Overhaul Inside Higher Ed | Dec. 6, 2024

College Cost Reduction Act: By the Numbers American Council on Education

Campus Safety Resources on Title IX American Council on Education

Will Submitting the FAFSA Put Undocumented Parents at Risk? This Group Thinks It Could NASFAA

In the third episode of our special series dotEDU Global Voices, hosts Sarah Spreitzer and Devorah Lieberman—ACE senior advisor and president emerita of the University of La Verne—welcome Silvia Giorguli, president of the Colegio de México (COLMEX), a hub of intellectual leadership in Latin America.

From her efforts to expand research areas and foster student mobility to her groundbreaking initiatives addressing gender equity and institutional change, Giorguli provides a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of her presidency.

Giorguli is one of 10 women featured in Devorah's book, Spotlighting Female Leadership: Strategies, Stories, Perspectives, which highlights the experiences of women leaders from universities around the world. The book was developed as part of Devorah's work with the IAUP Women's Leadership Initiative.

This podcast series is produced in partnership with the ACE Women's Network, which connects and supports women in higher education across the country, helping them develop leadership skills and advance in their careers. Learn more at www.acenet.edu/womensnetwork.

Be sure to visit the dotEDU webpage for our regular policy-focused episodes.