10 News You Should Know About U.S. Higher Education and K-12 Trends (April 2025 Edition)
- bonniechen54
- Apr 25
- 3 min read
1. Universities Push Back Against Government Intrusion
Over 200 college presidents have signed a public letter protesting the Trump administration's "unprecedented government overreach" in areas such as diversity initiatives and academic freedom. Leaders stress that institutional autonomy is crucial to maintaining U.S. education’s global leadership. Concerns also mount over the impacts that altered federal funding policies may have on student experiences.
2. Nationwide Day of Action Defending Higher Education
Source: Diverse Education – "Faculty, Students to Hold Nationwide Day of Action Defending Higher Education"
Faculty and students across the U.S. are organizing to demand tuition-free public higher education, student debt cancellation, and safeguarding of free speech on campus. A special emphasis is placed on protecting non-citizen students and ensuring union rights for all university workers.
3. Student Loan Collections Resume After Pandemic Pause
The U.S. Department of Education will restart collecting on defaulted student loans, ending the leniency that began in 2020. Millions of borrowers could soon face wage garnishment and withheld government benefits, highlighting the crucial need for sound financial planning among current and future students.
4. Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Frozen Funds
Harvard University has filed a lawsuit challenging the freezing of $2.2 billion in grants. Harvard alleges that the Trump administration's actions violate the First Amendment and critical research projects risk major disruption.
5. State Department Preserves Key International Exchange Programs—For Now
Despite prior fears, the State Department will maintain the Education and Cultural Affairs Bureau. However, looming budget cuts and possible staff reductions threaten exchange programs critical to U.S. global competitiveness.
6. Ph.D. Students Strike at University of Rochester Over Union Rights
Graduate students have gone on strike, opposing election oversight by the Trump-era National Labor Relations Board, which they argue lacks impartiality. They fear it could compromise unionization rights at private universities nationwide.
7. Limestone University Narrowly Avoids Closure—For Now
Facing financial collapse, Limestone University has found a tentative funding source. While optimistic, university officials warn that contingency plans for full online operations remain necessary given past deficits and declining enrollments.
8. FSU Shooting Shocks Campus, Cancels Classes
Two individuals were killed and six injured during a shooting at Florida State University’s student union. A student suspect is in custody. Classes and sports activities have been suspended through the weekend as investigations continue.
9. NIH Tightens Rules on Research Grants: DEI Compliance Now Mandatory
The National Institutes of Health now requires institutions to certify adherence to anti-discrimination laws and pledge not to boycott Israel in order to maintain or obtain funding. Non-compliance could mean grant termination and repayment demands.
10. Texas State’s GPA Recovery Program Shows Early Success
Through its "Bobcats Bounce Back" initiative, Texas State University is helping students with GPAs below 2.0 recover academically. Early feedback shows an uptick in support service engagement and improvements in student academic performance.
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