President-elect Trump’s choice for Secretary of Education: What will it mean for higher education?

 

Betsy DeVos with Donald Trump and Mike Pence
Betsy DeVos with Donald Trump and Mike Pence

The Chronicle of Higher Education asked me to write a column about President-elect Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education, focusing on what impact she would have on higher education across the nation.  DeVos, who has a long track record as a Republican activist and supporter of charter schools and school vouchers in Michigan, was a surprise choice to many.  While she has paid much less of her attention to higher education, in the column I suggested a few areas on which she may focus as Secretary.

Bigoted actions across the nation and President-elect Trump

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Nov. 8. (photo: San Francisco Chronicle)
President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Nov. 8. (photo: San Francisco Chronicle)

During the presidential campaign I wrote about the higher education proposals of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.  Since the election last week there has been so much that has happened in our country  that I almost wouldn’t know where to start to comment. However, one thing that has been very disturbing has been the outbreak of racist, nationalist, misogynist, anti-immigrant, and other bigoted actions across the nation. This morning’s San Francisco Chronicle has an op-ed I authored calling on President-elect Trump to take quick action to stop them.