Few institutions in the United States constitute as much aspiration and contestation as higher education. Our colleges and universities have long been the focus of significant public funding investment and have historically been viewed as a means of social mobility for aspiring students pursuing their version of the American dream. To that end, our institutions have produced significant genius to drive breakthroughs in nearly every domain important to the American economy. In these ways, higher education has helped students realize their American dreams, fueled American ingenuity through research, and advanced the American economy. This is the promise of US higher education.
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
