In the second episode of this special two-part series recorded at the Milken Institute, Jeff Selingo moderates a wide-ranging conversation with higher education leaders, including the presidents of Dartmouth, Stanford, UC San Diego, and Yeshiva University, along with the CEO of ETS. Together, they tackle the most pressing challenges facing colleges and universities today—from campus protests to questions about the economic value of a degree.
The panel opens with a shared concern: higher education has lost its sense of identity. Sian Beilock, president of Dartmouth College, underscores the need to return to core values: “We are education institutions. We’re not political institutions, we’re not social activist institutions.” The discussion also addresses the rise in antisemitism during campus protests and how institutions are responding to pressure from the Trump Administration.
Looking ahead, the panelists agree that colleges must clearly articulate the value of higher education and foster a more inclusive culture—one that welcomes a diversity of perspectives and ideas.