With an ever-changing political landscape, there has been increased attention on higher education and whether there is value in attending a postsecondary institution. Varying approaches to determining the value of academic programs have been presented based on who was sitting in the oval office, and recent efforts by the Trump administration have piqued the interest, and sparked concerns, of many in the higher education space. In this session, we will learn about what is currently happening in the higher education landscape as it relates to actions by the federal government and what these actions might mean for the future of higher education. This insider’s perspective will be valuable to better understand whether higher education is in peril or if this is a moment in time to further examine the potential of higher education.

Emmanual A. Guillory is an advocate, policy expert, and motivational speaker who serves as Senior Director of Government Relations at the American Council on Education (ACE), managing a broad portfolio of legislative and regulatory issues related to higher education, including the Higher Education Act (HEA), student aid, institutional accountability, and equity in access. Previously, he held leadership roles at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and spent a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives. Recognized as one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists in 2020 and 2021 and a former president of the Committee for Education Funding, Guillory also leads a nonprofit that awards student scholarships and lectures through the Archers Fellowship Program in the University of Texas System. He holds degrees from Texas A&M University (B.S.), Bowling Green State University (M.A.), and the University of Pennsylvania (Ed.D.).