Education

Megha Vemuri, the 2025 class president of MIT, was barred from attending her graduation ceremony after delivering a speech criticizing the war in Gaza. The decision has sparked support from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which condemned the university's actions as a violation of academic freedom.

Recent college graduates, especially Black and female graduates, confront heightened unemployment rates amid dwindling demand in tech and STEM sectors. The challenges include underemployment and significant student loan debt burdens.

Northern Illinois University has become a focal point for solidarity between Black students and their international peers amid increasing visa revocations and deportation concerns. These students are advocating for policy reforms and greater transparency to safeguard diversity and innovation within the academic community.

Howard University and other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) celebrated their 2025 commencement ceremonies with keynote addresses from notable figures such as LeVar Burton, Brad Holmes, Joan Higginbotham, and Jasmine Crocket. These speakers emphasized the importance of perseverance, preparation, and resilience in the face of challenges, encouraging graduates to remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence and to overcome obstacles with determination.

The White House has instructed federal agencies to terminate all outstanding contracts with Harvard University, totaling approximately $100 million, marking a significant escalation in its ongoing campaign against American higher education institutions.

In the five years since George Floyd's murder, school districts have largely reneged on their commitments to eliminate armed officers, opting instead to broaden their policing tactics through surveillance software and AI tools that disproportionately affect Black students.

Harvard University has initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration following the revocation of its certification to enroll international students. The institution argues that the move constitutes retaliation for its refusal to comply with policy demands from the White House.

Kermit the Frog, renowned as a Peabody Award recipient and advocate for all living beings, addressed graduates at the University of Maryland on May 21, imparting a message centered on optimism and self-belief.

The US Department of Justice ended a long-standing federal school desegregation order in Louisiana, potentially signaling a shift in the federal government's role in enforcing Brown v. Board of Education, leaving Black students more vulnerable to racial segregation and inequitable access to quality education.

In K-12 education, Malcolm X's legacy remains largely absent, yet educators such as Jesse Hagopian are actively working to incorporate his full story into their teaching, empowering students to advocate for a more equitable future.