Congress funded equity and access. The Trump administration calls it discrimination.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Aired September 22, 2025

The Trump administration is cutting off or moving funding for TRIO, GEAR UP, and MSI programs—even though Congress approved the money. Hosts Mushtaq Gunja, Jon Fansmith, and Sarah Spreitzer explain what’s happening, why it matters, and what colleges should do next. ACE President Ted Mitchell also joins to talk about the murder of Charlie Kirk and the need to protect free expression and civil dialogue on campus. 
 


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

U.S. Department of Education Ends Funding to Racially Discriminatory Discretionary Grant Programs at Minority-Serving Institutions
Department of Education | September 10, 2025

Trump Administration Delays $660M for College Access Programs
Inside Higher Ed | September 12, 2025

Trump Redirects Millions to Historically Black Colleges, Charter Schools
The New York Times (sub. req.)

Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers
White House | September 19, 2025

Trump to Impose $100,000 Fee Per Year for H-1B Visas, in Blow to Tech 
Reuters | September 20, 2025 

White House Tries to Tamp Down Corporate Panic for High-skill Visa Holders after Last-minute Overhaul 
Politico | September 20, 2025

Hosts and Guests
Ted Mitchell
President
​​Former college president and top federal policymaker Ted Mitchell became president of the American Council on Education (ACE) on September 1, 2017.  Mitchell brings a wide array of experience and accomplishments from across the higher ...
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Ted Mitchell - President - Guest
Guest
Ted Mitchell
President
Mushtaq Gunja
Executive Director
Carnegie Classification Systems
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...
Read More
Mushtaq Gunja - Executive Director - Host
Host
Mushtaq Gunja
Executive Director
Carnegie Classification Systems
Jon Fansmith
Senior Vice President
Government Relations and National Engagement
Jonathan Fansmith is the senior vice president for Government Relations and National Engagement at the American Council on Education (ACE), where he leads federal advocacy efforts on behalf of the nation's colleges and universities. He oversees ACE's e...
Read More
Jon Fansmith - Senior Vice President - Host
Host
Jon Fansmith
Senior Vice President
Government Relations and National Engagement
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...
Read More
Sarah Spreitzer - Vice President and Chief of Staff - Host
Host
Sarah Spreitzer
Vice President and Chief of Staff
Government Relations
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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