Graduating Students Face Uncertainty Amid Policy Changes Under Trump Administration
As they prepare to graduate, college seniors like Bobby McAlpine, Alyssa Johnson, and Liam Powell are navigating a landscape altered by recent policy shifts under the Trump administration. These changes have significantly impacted their post-graduation plans and the broader academic environment.
For Liam Powell, a global health major, his path seemed clear with an internship at the State Department lined up. However, the hiring freeze put a halt to his plans. “The department hereby rescinds your tentative offer to participate in the student internship program,” he was informed, leaving him with a degree but no opportunity in his chosen field.
Alyssa Johnson, aiming for a doctorate in ecology, found her plans derailed as graduate admissions plummeted nationwide. “Graduate admissions across the whole entire country have gone to a very low point because universities and institutions and professors need to protect the people they already have,” she explained. Her research faced additional scrutiny over its funding sources due to its focus on diversity and climate, areas currently under increased scrutiny.
Bobby McAlpine, the outgoing student body president at Ohio State University, described a climate of fear and uncertainty among students. He shared, “One of the biggest things that I’ve heard from students – students have come to me and just – they feel really scared.” He delivered numerous letters to the Ohio governor opposing Senate Bill 1, a controversial bill eliminating offices of diversity and inclusion in public universities. “The only and sole reason why I am at the Ohio State University is because of our Office of Diversity and Inclusion,” McAlpine noted, highlighting the bill’s personal impact.
These policy changes have led students to reconsider their future plans. McAlpine has chosen to delay law school, citing the current turmoil in higher education. “Why would I place myself in that extreme unknown rather than wait a few years to try and see just how this is going to affect everything?” he pondered.
Powell expressed concern over the dismantling of USAID, a field he has dedicated his studies to. “There’s a feeling that’s pretty selfish of just knowing that the career field that I’ve spent so long studying for in my undergrad is just going to be in such a weird state of flux,” he said. Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful, seeing it as a delay rather than a dead end.
Johnson echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the difficulty of pursuing a career in public service amid these changes. “It takes decades to get these institutions set up. And usually once those things go private or if they’re shut down, they don’t come back,” she stated, realizing the precarious nature of academic funding.
The students emphasized the importance of staying informed and engaged, despite the overwhelming nature of the current climate. “Silence is not an option anymore,” McAlpine affirmed, encouraging collective action and resilience.
As they prepare for the next chapter, these seniors remain hopeful, albeit cautious, about their futures in an ever-shifting landscape.
