dotEDU Live: The Trump Administration’s Pressure Campaign Continues

Aired April 30, 2025

In this episode of dotEDU Live, Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja dive into recent executive orders on accreditation, foreign influence, and more. Also, they discuss key takeaways from the House reconciliation bill, new risks for federal student aid, and proposed changes to immigration policy affecting international students.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

From ACE

Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education

Letter Opposing the House Budget Reconciliation Bill (the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan)
ACE | April 29, 2025

Summary of the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan
ACE | April 30, 2025

College Cost Reduction Act: By the Numbers

Hosts and Guests

Jon Fansmith

Senior Vice President

Government Relations and National Engagement

Jonathan Fansmith directs ACE’s comprehensive efforts to engage federal policymakers on a broad range of issues including student aid, government regulation, scientific research, and tax policy. His work involves representation before the U.S. Congress...

Co-host

Jon Fansmith

Senior Vice President

Government Relations and National Engagement

Mushtaq Gunja

Executive Director, Carnegie Classification Systems and Senior Vice President

Mushtaq Gunja serves as executive director of the Carnegie Classification systems and senior vice president at ACE, where he is in charge of running and reimagining the Carnegie framework. Prior to joining ACE, Gunja served as assistant dean in academi...

Co-host

Mushtaq Gunja

Executive Director, Carnegie Classification Systems and Senior Vice President

Sarah Spreitzer

Vice President and Chief of Staff

Government Relations

Sarah Spreitzer represents ACE and its members on matters related to research policy and funding, federal policy, international students, immigration, and legislative issues. Before joining ACE, Spreitzer held senior positions in higher e...

Co-host

Sarah Spreitzer

Vice President and Chief of Staff

Government Relations

Transcript

Read this episode's transcript

Transcript to come

About the Podcast

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

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