Higher education revival a sign of hope as students push their limits in 2025

It would be easy to end this year discouraged. From unrest on campus to ideological extremes at some of America’s most prestigious universities, 2025 has given us more than enough reason to lament. But as a university president, and as we approach this Christmas season, a time marked by reflection, renewal, and hope, I believe the story of higher education this year is not just one of collapse. It was also a question of conviction.

This is a year where students spoke up. Parents got involved. Christian leaders stayed the course. And across the country, signs of renewal have begun to take shape. Not everywhere. Not perfectly. But undeniably.

As I reflect on this year in higher educationI believe these five moments signal that significant change is already underway.

1. Students and states champion fairness in women’s sports

This year has seen real momentum to protect women’s athletics from ideological excess. States have passed laws to maintain fair competition. The student-athletes spoke with clarity and conviction. And for the first time in years, the tide began to change in public opinion. Biology is not bigotry. The truth matters. And this was the year that more and more students started saying it out loud.

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2. Christian and conservative voices pushed back against speech restrictions and won

Freedom of expression saw a comeback in 2025. From official recognition of student groups to legal victories across the country, the message was clear. Point of view discrimination will not be tolerated. For too long, Christian and conservative students have been asked to remain silent. This year, many have chosen to speak boldly and gracefully. And the courts began to support them.

3. The fall in credibility of elite universities has opened new doors

Scandals at prominent institutions, like Harvard, have done more than make headlines. They revealed a deeper crisis of trust and leadership. As families saw these schools stumble, many began to look elsewhere for wisdom, integrity and training. This change matters. This means that the era of blind prestige may finally give way to a new era of focused education.

4. Parents reclaim their voice in education

Parents across the country have stepped up with renewed focus and determination. From speaking out at school board meetings to re-evaluating where their children should attend college, families have stood against ideological extremes. They ask better questions, seek out schools that reflect their values, and take ownership of the academic training of the next generation.

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5. Public trust in higher education is cracking, and that’s a good thing

This year, public trust in higher education has reached an all-time low. This may seem like bad news, but it actually reveals something optimistic. People don’t give up on education. They abandon broken systems. They crave role models who prioritize truth, character, and community over bureaucracy and activism. This creates space for bold, mission-driven universities to take the lead.

As president of Southeastern University, I have witnessed these changes. We continue to collaborate with churches, families and communities to provide a model of higher education that is accessible, formative and grounded in biblical truth. Our students are not trained to escape the world. They are equipped to lead there.

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By 2026, we must continue this momentum. Now is not the time to retreat. It’s time to renew. For parents, this means choosing schools that care more about character than ranking. For students, this means seeking truth over popularity. And for universities, that means refusing to trade moral clarity for cultural approval.

Most importantly, we must lead with hope rather than fear. Fear only sees what is broken. Hope sees what can be restored. Fear recedes from the moment. Hope is mixed in. As Christian leaders, our role is not to reflect the anxiety of the culture but to model resilience, faith, and joy. Our campuses should be places where the truth is not only protected but proclaimed. Where students are not only prepared to enter the workforce, but are called to lead lives of meaning, service and leadership. This is the future we are building, and this year has proven that we are not alone.

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Free speech saw a comeback in 2025. From the official recognition of student groups to legal victories across the country, the message was clear. Point of view discrimination will not be tolerated.

There is still work to be done. But there are also reasons for hope. This year has shown us that a better future for higher education is not only possible. It has already started.

As we celebrate Christmas and look toward the New Year, let us remember that light shines brightest in the darkness. Let’s build institutions that reflect this truth. They must be places where courage is cultivated, where faith is lived and where hope is more than a feeling. This is the foundation.

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