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NCHE President Alec Thomson at public schools rally

Communications Toolkit: Speak Up for Higher Education

Protecting Higher Education
NEA's Higher Ed members—faculty, staff, and graduate employees—know that a healthy and accessible system of higher education is critical to students and communities.

What's in this toolkit

Higher education is a cornerstone of our democracy. Unfortunately, some politicians are seeking to limit what can be said and taught in college classrooms, cutting research funds to universities, eliminating diversity and inclusion programs that support all students, and dramatically slashing funding that lowers the cost of college and vocational school.

Public colleges and universities—and the U.S. Department of Education—exist because all students should have the opportunity to pursue their passions, to learn to think critically, and be prepared for careers. Today's college students are tomorrow's teachers, counselors, scientists, engineers, and artists. Their success is our nation's success. 

Our campuses also are the incubators of American innovation. From Alzheimer's to artificial intelligence, university researchers are investigating—and improving—issues affecting everyone. And, unlike big business, their motive isn't profit: It's to help people.

This is why we are coming together to protect higher education. Use our resources to learn more and take action.

Becky Pringle speaks at the Feburary 12 Rally to Protect Public Schools in Washington, DC
“Unions exist for moments like this. We, the NEA, will always fight like hell when people come for our kids, our professions, and our communities.”
Quote by: Becky Pringle, NEA President
Learn more about the rally to protect public schools & colleges

RESOURCES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The pace of Trump's executive orders is dizzying, but your union is keeping up. Check out these NEA resources to help NEA Higher Ed members protect and strengthen higher education.
college_professor

Diversity & Inclusion

NEA’s attorneys have issued a legal advisory about the administration’s recent “Dear Colleague” letter that misinterprets law and wrongly asserts that efforts to increase diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in higher education are illegal.
NEA's Legal Advisory
Higher ed professor explaining something to student

College Affordability

Students who receive support for career training or to attend two- and four-year colleges could lose Pell Grants and federal student loans, leading to fewer options for families and more students dropping out.
Learn More
Woman outside holding a sign that says "we are the future" in front of an American flag

Immigration Justice

Check out NEA's new guidance around immigration issues, such as the importance of Safe Zone policies, especially for higher education.
Learn More NEA President responds to Trump's harmful immigration actions
transwomen-marching

Protecting LGBTQ+ Students

Our LGBTQ+ students need us to ensure our schools are places where all students are protected and empowered.
Learn More NEA President responds to executive order on gender-affirming care Educator Support for Transgender, Nonbinary and Intersex Students

In Defense Of

We dedicate our lives to higher education. But some anti-public education politicians want to push us out of the profession with hostile work environments, low pay, and no respect.
Clarissa Henry and grad student Elisabeth Kilroy

Research

University-based researchers rely on federal funding to investigate and innovate around today's issues. That funding has been cut dramatically by the Trump administration.
Learn more
Black woman choosing a book at a library

Racial & Social Justice

Faculty, staff and students should be seen, supported, and celebrated for their identities.
Learn more NEA President: Trump’s latest punitive executive order silences and punishes educators for teaching the truth Advisory on the February 14 "Dear Colleague" Letter from ED
Black female with bullhorn

Collective Bargaining Rights

We won’t let anyone weaken our union and collective bargaining rights so they can keep wages low, create hostile work environments, and silence faculty and staff voices.
Learn More

THE FIGHT TO PROTECT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The U.S. Department of Education was founded to help realize the promise of a quality public school for every student no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or how much their family makes. If the Trump Administration is successful we will lose valuable resources for students, staff, and schools:

Lower income students and their families in rural, suburban, and urban communities in every part of the country would lose needed funding.
Students and families who receive support to attend college and vocational schools could lose Pell Grants or federal student loans, leading to more students dropping out, fewer choices, and less options for families.
Students with disabilities and their families would lose the support they need at school and at home.
Students with disabilities and lower-income students and their families would lose access to Upward Bound, TRIO and other programs that encourage them to participate in higher education.
Black and white photo of the White House with storm clouds above

The Project 2025 Agenda for Higher Education

President Trump and Elon Musk have plans to gut public education to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. Together, we can defeat their agenda.

Related Content

Clarissa Henry and grad student Elisabeth Kilroy

Scientific Research is Getting Cut—and That Should Scare All Americans

The Trump administration’s cuts to federally funded STEM research is devastating current and future innovations by NEA Higher Ed members.
Linda McMahon

What We Learned from Linda McMahon’s Confirmation Hearing

The nominee is ready to dismantle the Department of Education and steer federal funds away from public schools to pay for private school vouchers and tax cuts for the rich.
students in classroom

How Dismantling the Department of Education Would Harm Students

Educators and parents will not stand for the destruction of our country’s commitment to equal educational opportunities for all students.

Sign up for our Higher Ed Newsletter

Sign up for the NEA Higher Education email newsletter and get resources, insight into news and trends, and opportunities to advocate for you and your students.

Protect Public Schools

Educators and parents know that America's students need us to strengthen public schools. Use our resources to learn more and take action protect public schools.
Collegiate students in class

Let's make a difference.

The best way you can support students across your campus and advocate for a high-quality higher education is to get involved directly in your community. At NEA, we partner closely with our state and local affiliates on your campus to support you where you live and work.
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Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.
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