In 1796, President George Washington emphasized the importance of education for national unity, proposing the establishment of a national university and military academy in his eighth address to Congress. His vision reflected a belief that education was essential to the nation’s future success. Over two centuries later, higher education remains critical to driving economic growth, innovation, and social progress. As a faculty of Educational Policy Studies who studies leadership in higher education, I believe it is crucial to evaluate the contributions of presidents to higher education and identify opportunities for President Trump’s administration to build on this legacy by broadening access to higher education, ensuring that more Americans can benefit from its transformative power—an investment vital to the nation’s future.
The early leaders who founded the United States recognized the critical role of higher education in strengthening the nation. Leaders like George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson played pivotal roles in shaping a higher education system designed to meet the country's strategic needs. Although George Washington lacked a formal college education, he valued education, science, and government training as essential tools for preparing future leaders. John Adams viewed higher education as fundamental to sustaining liberty and good governance. His contributions to the Massachusetts Constitution emphasized the establishment of academies and universities, laying the groundwork for expanding access to education and influencing the development of state universities. Thomas Jefferson further advanced this vision by founding the University of Virginia. He sought to make liberal arts education more accessible and freer from religious influence. Jefferson introduced an innovative curriculum that included law, medicine, science, and the humanities, reflecting his belief in education as a pillar of democracy.
Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter
Modern presidents have significantly shaped higher education access and support. Under President Eisenhower, the GI Bill, initially signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt, was expanded to benefit more veterans, increasing their access to higher education. Eisenhower also championed the National Defense Education Act (NDLA) of 1958, which funded science, math, engineering, and foreign language education to bolster U.S. competitiveness during the Cold War. Initiatives like the creation of NASA, the expansion of the National Science Foundation, and the establishment of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) further advanced science, education, and economic growth.
President Kennedy expanded financial aid programs and focused on improving access to higher education while continuing support for science and math education. President Johnson’s Great Society initiatives included the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, which provided grants and loans for low-income students, established Federal Work-Study Programs, and supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The HEA laid the foundation for Pell Grants, a critical source of financial aid for millions of low-income students.
President Carter created the Department of Education in 1979, strengthening oversight and support for higher education. President Obama’s American Opportunity Tax Credit made college more affordable. At the same time, his College Scorecard provided transparent information on costs and outcomes, helping students and families make informed decisions about higher education. His push for free community college also aimed to help Americans access affordable workforce training.
Presidents can influence higher education by supporting funding, reducing student debt, broadening access, declaring research priorities, promoting workforce development, and ensuring accurate, accessible data is available to students and policymakers to help decision-making. With concerns like rising college costs, technological advancements, and political polarization, presidential leadership is more important than ever.
The incoming Trump administration has an opportunity to prioritize access and inclusiveness in higher education through key reforms. Improving financial aid to ensure students can afford college while addressing student debt is essential to upholding higher education’s promise as a driver of economic mobility.
Investments in Minority-Serving Institutions, like Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and community colleges—critical institutions for working-class and underserved students—can close educational opportunity gaps, enhance workforce readiness, and boost national economic competitiveness. Strategic tax policies could strengthen university funding and ease student loan burdens, while an expansion of funding could support vocational training and apprenticeships. Strengthening partnerships between public universities and private industries would help ensure workers develop critical skills to succeed in rapid growth fields like STEM, AI, automation, and green energy.
If President Trump dismantles the Department of Education, he will have a reputation regarding higher education that is in stark contrast to past presidents who actively supported and broadened access to education. It would be a departure from the founding vision of education as a national priority. By interrupting pathways to postsecondary access, he would also be viewed as a president who restricted access rather than expanding it, especially harming students who rely on the support of financial aid.
Whereas previous presidents invested in science, technology, and workforce training to promote U.S. security competitiveness, the current administration’s efforts to weaken federal support for education would risk our nation’s ability for innovation and economic growth. Trump’s approach to higher education is likely to be seen as ignoring student financial struggles and increasing barriers to access, such as increasing education costs.
The Department of Education also enforces key protections such as Title IX, which promotes gender equity and addresses sexual assault on university campuses, as well as disability accommodations (ADA compliance) and civil rights protections. Without federal oversight, these safeguards could be inconsistently enforced across states, leaving students vulnerable to inequitable policies and practices. This would undermine fundamental rights and damage the president’s reputation by restricting rather than expanding educational opportunities.
Eliminating the Department of Education, a move the current administration appears to be pursuing would profoundly reshape higher education, threatening federal programs that provide essential student aid and increasing barriers to access. Millions of students who rely on Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study programs would face significant obstacles, leading to higher costs for students and families and fewer affordable financial aid options. The Department of Education also funds critical educational programming, workforce development, and teacher training. Losing this support would weaken educational research and workforce training initiatives, ultimately harming U.S. global competitiveness. Eliminating ongoing research efforts will likely delay or halt an investigation into persistent critical education challenges. The research and data gathered by the department provide essential insights into complex educational issues, helping to identify solutions that enhance teaching, learning, and, ultimately, student success. This critical research informs evidence-based policymaking, ensuring that education policy is grounded in data and best practices, leading to more effective and equitable outcomes for students and educators. The What Works Clearinghouse exemplifies the effective use of research to inform educational practice and sound policymaking.
A strong higher education system is vital to American progress and global leadership. The quality and strength of our educational system are fundamental to the success of our society. While the system is not perfect and has room for improvement, dismantling the Department of Education would unravel its very foundation. By focusing instead on reforms that expand access, improve affordability, and promote inclusivity, the Trump administration could build upon the foundation laid by previous presidents and strengthen opportunities for future generations.
Just outside one of my classrooms at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, a glass case displays a Nobel Prize diploma awarded to a faculty member. Before class, I often sit at a nearby table, reviewing my lecture notes, and occasionally glance up at the display. Each time, it serves as a powerful reminder of the university's significant societal mission, inspiring me to reflect on my moral and professional responsibilities in this remarkable institution.
Dr. Anthony Hernandez is a faculty member in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin—Madison (UW-Madison). Dr. Hernandez received a research award from the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation for his study on leadership in higher education. He has also been recognized with four teaching awards at UW-Madison.
Marshall Ganz, left, and Tomás R. Jiménez, professor of sociology and comparative studies in race and ethnicity and the founding codirector of Stanford’s Institute for Advancing Just Societies.
