“Education is the antidote to uncertainty”
Like many Americans, part of how I make voting decisions includes an in-depth consideration into how a particular candidate or policy will impact my livelihood.
For most other decisions I usually consult with my four year-old daughter and a rotating committee of our two cats and one very opinionated dog. So far we’ve abolished nap time; passed a non-binding resolution honoring the service of Daniel Tiger; and instituted a mandatory treat-and-pet policy by which no animal shall go more than 24 hours without being delivered a treat and petted for an amount of time to be determined at some later date.
It’s safe to say that conditions on the national level are measurably less copacetic. Post-election, some are thrilled. Some are terrified. Many are a mixture of confused and concerned about where to go from here.
As a marketer working in higher education, I share that concern. What happens in higher education under a Trump administration? More regulation? Less? What happens with financial aid? Our international student populations? All fair questions. Trump himself, along with his surrogates, has made a series of comments — some in speeches, some in other formats — that describe what his impending administration would do to address some of the major issues in higher education. But we’ve got no detailed policy to work from. And that creates a feeling of uncertainty.
But a very smart person told me recently, “Education is the antidote to uncertainty.”
Luckily, I have a weekly meeting with that very smart person. In fact, she’s one of the sharpest leaders in higher education — Willamette University MBA Dean and JELD-WEN Professor of Free Enterprise Debra Ringold.
I wanted to get her opinion on what a Trump presidency might mean regarding issues related to education in the United States, and specifically higher ed.
What impact do you expect Trump to have on education policy?
If Mr. Trump’s approach to higher education is consistent with his stated positions on, for example, energy production, the financial sector, and U.S. Department of Education, we might expect his administration to fast track the deregulation of higher ed and place a moratorium on new regulations. Higher education in the U.S. epitomizes “school choice,” diversity of curricula, local control, and many other desirable education characteristics cited by Mr. Trump.
What do you think about his approach to higher education?
Mr. Trump would benefit from a careful analysis of how colleges and universities actually work. To date, Mr. Trump has focused on rising tuition, “tremendous” administrative “bloat,” student debt, and endowment spending but has largely ignored the increasing role that federal regulation plays in our cost structure and, therefore, the tuition we charge.
What factors do you think he should consider when addressing issues of college affordability or student debt?
I don’t think the federal government should have a role in addressing issues of college affordability. Clearly, higher education is overbuilt, overpriced, and underperforming. State legislatures should demand more of their tax supported institutions. Donors and trustees should demand more of the private colleges and universities they support. Parents and students should shop carefully and choose a college or university with a track record consistent with their objectives.
How would you advise him to proceed?
Since 1970, the performance of public K-12 in the U.S. has steadily deteriorated. This is negatively affecting the performance of students pursuing a college degree. The College Board reported that fewer than half of 2013 SAT takers graduated from high school academically prepared for the rigors of college-level work and since then the number of under-prepared SAT test takers has remained virtually unchanged. Yet, undergraduate enrollments continue to increase.
As important, professional and academic integrity has declined. Surveys of high school students consistently indicate that about two thirds admit to cheating on a test. Achievement must be redefined to include integrity.
Mr. Trump should look to the states to experiment with charter schools, voucher programs, recovery school districts, and other innovative approaches to improve K-12 outcomes. Improved K-12 outcomes will improve undergraduate outcomes.
Hopefully, we’ll all have a better idea soon as to how specifically Trump and his team plan to address higher education in America. And, hopefully, Trump will learn from education leaders like our own Dean Ringold on how to proceed in a way that best benefits students.
I know there’s still a lot of concern out there around much larger issues in the wake of this election. We have a lot of deep divide across the social, cultural and economic spectrum and we’re only days removed from a bruising presidential campaign. Education is certainly an area those of us in higher ed — faculty, staff, students and those with college or graduate school in their future — are anxiously awaiting more clarity.
In the meantime, I take at least some solace in the idea that “education is the antidote to uncertainty.” Six simple words that can be applied far beyond higher education.
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Willamette University MBA is Oregon’s top-ranked MBA program with an Early Career & Career Change MBA in Salem, Oregon, and our MBA for Professionals in both Salem and Portland.
