Event series explores federal governance, higher education and collective action
缅北禁地鈥檚 ongoing series on federal governance will continue to bring faculty, staff, students and the public together for programs exploring where higher education finds itself more than half a year into the second Trump administration.听
The series began last spring under the title, 鈥Understanding Federal Governance: Institutions, Civics, Impact,鈥 with two panel discussions that examined the boundaries of executive authority and how universities both shape and are shaped by national politics. A third spring event, 鈥淎cademic Freedom at CU and Beyond,鈥 featured former Provost Russell Moore and Vice Chancellor for Faculty Affairs Michele Moses, who offered reflections on academic freedom in the context of shifting political and legal landscapes, federal policy debates and the responsibilities of institutions of higher education.听
Building on these events, this year鈥檚 series will explore what the future looks like for higher education in the U.S. and how faculty, staff and students are partnering across institutional and disciplinary lines to shape that future. Carrying the name 鈥淔ederal Governance and Higher Education: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?鈥, the series will continue with two new opportunities for engagement this fall:听
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Open to all, this virtual event explores the 鈥淥ne Big Beautiful Bill Act鈥 and its implications for higher education, alongside other federal policies on research funding, immigration and more.听
Save the dates
听听Sept. 30
听听Oct. 28
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The panel includes Heather Ben茅, associate vice president of research and federal policy, Office of Government Relations; Oded Gurantz, associate professor and chair of research and evaluation methodology program, School of Education; Amy Hutton, vice chancellor for enrollment management; and Massimo Ruzzene, senior vice chancellor and dean of the institutes, Research and Innovation Office.听
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Open to 缅北禁地 faculty, staff and students, this in-person discussion explores how universities and national associations such as the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) are responding to a rapidly shifting federal policy landscape鈥攆rom immigration to research funding to admissions.听
缅北禁地 experts will discuss prospects for collective action across higher education and how differing approaches shape the challenges and opportunities ahead. Featured panelists include Danielle Radovich Piper, senior vice president for external relations and and strategy, Office of the President; Ann Stevens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs; and David Meens, executive director, Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship.听
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About the series
鈥淭he continuation of this series highlights 缅北禁地鈥檚 role as Colorado鈥檚 leading public research university and our commitment to advancing knowledge and civic dialogue,鈥 said Stevens. 鈥淏y educating our community and sharing expertise on federal policy developments and academic freedom and by collaborating with peer institutions and others on these issues, we contribute not only to our academic mission but to the strength of our democracy.鈥
For academic year 2025鈥26, the series is co-sponsored by the Division of Academic Affairs, the Office of Faculty Affairs, the Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship, the 缅北禁地 Faculty Assembly (BFA), and Strategic Relations and Communications. Public-facing programs are also presented in association with 缅北禁地鈥檚 Conference on World Affairs.听
Additional events, including recorded whiteboard sessions, are being planned to continue the conversation.听听
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