Author: Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig
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This past week, I had the opportunity to gather with colleagues and scholars from around the world at the 2025 AERA Annual Meeting in Denver. It was a time to reconnect, to reflect, and to engage deeply with new ideas shaping the future of education research and policy. One of the moments that resonated with…
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Last week, I found myself exploring the vibrant neighborhoods and beautiful landscapes of Puerto Rico—from the lively streets of Old San Juan and colorful La Perla to the rhythm of bomba at Piñones Beach, the art of Calle Cerra, the energy of La Placita, the innovation of the T-Mobile District, the serenity of Condado Beach…
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Please don’t yawn. When most Americans hear the word “accreditation,” their eyes glaze over. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t spark headlines like student debt relief or campus protests. But accreditation is one of the quiet, foundational pillars of American higher education. It’s the gatekeeper of federal student aid, the validator of institutional quality, and the primary public…
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Donald Trump didn’t need to understand pedagogy, curriculum theory, or student development to begin reshaping American education. He only needed to understand one thing: most educational leaders lack courage and savvy. That’s the real hack. Trump recognized that superintendents, college presidents, school boards, and state commissioners—many of whom were trained and hired in an era…
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On April 23, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a new Executive Order titled the White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. On paper, it may appear to be a continuation—perhaps even an expansion—of past White House commitments across political administrations to HBCUs. It name-checks prosperity. It invokes innovation.…
Cloaking Inequity 