Higher education has long faced calls to improve its commitments to free expression and intellectual pluralism. Now under more pressure than ever to do so, and cognizant of historically low public confidence in the sector, institutional leaders are trying to figure out how to respond. In a recent survey of university presidents, 51 percent said their institutions have undertaken at least one initiative to address the issue. At the same time, only 16 percent thought higher education’s response so far has been “moderately effective” or better. One issue is that many of the reported efforts focus solely or primarily on public relations and marketing. While it’s important to educate the public about the many contributions America’s colleges and universities are already making to society, a more successful strategy will include making substantive reforms that respond to concerns expressed by critics both within and outside the institutions.
Beyond Programs: Leadership Lessons from Ireland’s Inclusive Universities
During a recent sabbatical studying inclusive postsecondary education in Ireland, I visited four universities—University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Mary Immaculate
Ashley Rodrigues
July 20, 2026
