Under Secretary Kent Says Higher Ed Needs a "Hard Reset"

"If you want a partnership with the federal government, it must be a real partnership, grounded in transparency, measurable outcomes and a commitment to students and taxpayers alike. Change is coming whether institutions like it or not. I hope that you all are ready, having made it through the five stages of grief and, most importantly, reaching the final state of acceptance."

"Once a collaborative partnership funded by taxpayers to promote innovation and merit-based social mobility, higher ed has been tainted by ideologically driven universities that accept billions while resisting any meaningful accountability for results. Now, those days are over."

"I will point out the irony with [Kent's] concluding remarks that they want to work with us. Working generally involves a partnership, not acquiescence."

Education Under Secretary Nicholas Kent addressed the American Council on Education's annual meeting, declaring that American higher education requires a fundamental reset. He criticized universities for accepting billions in federal funding while resisting accountability for results. Kent stated that federal partnerships now require transparency, measurable outcomes, and commitment to students and taxpayers. Public opinion polls show declining trust in college degree value. Kent emphasized that institutional change is inevitable regardless of acceptance. College leaders in attendance expressed disagreement through murmurs and laughter. Jon Fansmith, the council's senior vice president, responded by noting that partnership requires collaboration, not acquiescence, highlighting tensions between higher education institutions and government.

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