Since the start of the second Trump administration, American colleges and universities have been subject to intense political scrutiny by the White House. Both public and private institutions have negotiated settlements at the expense of DEI programs, admissions, and hefty fines and fees. Law firms, media outlets, and even cultural institutions have also been targeted.
Wesleyan University President Michael S. Roth is a widely recognized defender of academic freedom, democracy, and a leading voice in discussions about the future of colleges and universities. His seventh book, (2021), addresses some of the most contentious issues in American higher education, including affirmative action, safe spaces, and questions of free speech. More recently, his bylines in and , fiercely defended higher education, and called on civil society to remain steadfast in opposition to extortion under the guise of dealmaking. His efforts have awarded him the 2025 PEN/Benenson Courage Award for 鈥渉is unwavering commitment to defending academic freedom, protecting protest rights, and resisting attempts to silence dissent in higher education.鈥�
Join us at the City Club as we sit down in conversation with Wesleyan University's 16th President, Michael S. Roth on the state of higher education in an era of uncertainty.
Speaker
Michael S. Roth
16th President, Wesleyan University
Moderator
Nigamanth Sridhar, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President and Provost, Cleveland State University