Recently, President Donald Trump suggested reallocating $3 billion in federal funding from Harvard to trade schools. This move sparked a broader conversation about the state of higher education. As the president of a university, I think he’s really hit on an important issue that needs attention.
For quite a while now, many elite institutions have strayed from their original missions. They sit on massive endowments while many ordinary Americans are burdened with hefty student loans for degrees that don’t necessarily lead to job opportunities.
The result? Students often find themselves in a tough spot, caught between rising costs, a pipeline that’s not working, and a sense of lost direction.
I’ve seen firsthand that not every student is suited for a traditional college route. This isn’t a flaw that needs fixing; it’s simply the reality we should accept.
In my experience, education should empower everyone, from teachers and entrepreneurs to tradespeople like electricians and builders. I’ve witnessed students who thrive on job sites rather than in classrooms. Learning technical skills can do more than build a career—it can restore self-esteem, dignity, and purpose.
This issue is personal for me. I lead a university and believe that education ought to serve people. That’s why I feel strongly that the future of higher education must include practical skills as a core aspect.
Christian teachings highlight this connection well. Jesus, for instance, worked with his hands before preaching. The Bible endorses both skilled labor and spiritual work as significant. Paul even encourages people to “live a quiet life and work with your hands.”
What’s needed now is a cultural shift—one that stops denigrating trades and starts investing in them. Parents should support their children’s paths, even if it leads away from typical office jobs. Pastors should remind their congregations that all genuine work is valuable. This, in turn, would encourage universities to offer flexible, high-quality training that aligns with students’ skills and aspirations.
The aim shouldn’t be to pit trade schools against traditional universities; rather, it’s about restoring balance. The future of our country will be shaped not just by those in prestigious positions but by hardworking individuals with tools in their hands and goals to achieve.
This isn’t merely good policy; it’s essential for our nation’s renewal.
