Colleges must protect diverse viewpoints and fix workforce readiness gap

When I began my career in higher education, a college degree was universally viewed as part of the American dream. It was promised as a ticket to a flourishing life, and families would sacrifice almost anything to get their children into a university.

Today, the American view has shifted. As I interact with alumni, community leaders, and prospective families across the country, I hear a growing concern. They still believe in academic rigor and culture, but they are worried that the financial and cultural cost is too high to risk having their beliefs questioned and torn down. They look at the modern landscape on campuses and no longer see a place that will propel their child’s future. Instead, they see an unpredictable and expensive gamble.