Within the last couple of months, the Department of Education has gone through some big changes. The Trump Administration has appointed Linda McMahon as education secretary. According to the White House website, the mission currently is to “Return authority over education to the states and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs and benefits on which Americans rely.”
On April 24, Federal Judges Stephanie Gallagher and Landya McCafferty ruled that the Department of Education did not follow proper procedure when issuing its Feb. 14 letter addressing the changes to DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) policies. All of these quick changes have made some students, educators and administrators worried about their institutions.
Marywood’s President Lisa Lori is optimistic and hopeful about the future of education at Marywood. Lori said, “I’m not worried about it, they need congressional approval to disband it. They’ve reduced it but that does not concern me because I think the components move to other departments. I do not think anything will change for students, I think it will be different administratively. We have to wait and see but Marywood is nimble and will adjust.”
Throughout this transitional period, Lori believes that the hardest thing about this period is the waiting. Lori states, “It’s the waiting. We all must get accustomed to it and I hope the change will be for the better.”
Some students in school for education are fearful of the changes. Many students have had worries about financial aid and the effects of the “Dear Colleague” letter. Students are afraid there may not be a place for them at their university.
When asked about her feelings on the changes being made to the department, theater education student Samantha Magan said, “It makes me worried to see the direction that we are heading in. It is important that everyone is able to get the education that they deserve. Dismantling the Department of Education will create a situation where there will be a very misguided framework and important services and information will get lost in the distress.”
Magan also commented on how Marywood is handling these changes, stating, “I think that the Education faculty at Marywood has a very united belief that education is about bringing people together and providing equal opportunities to all to have the best outcome in terms of learning and understanding. I don’t think that this belief will change when a decision is made.”
Students, faculty and administration alike at Marywood believe that the school will deal with these changes when they come and will bounce back from what comes their way.
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