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USC Rossier Magazine
Rebuilding America's Trust in Education

Rebuilding America's Trust in Education

Illustration of a university building inside a broken snowglobe. — (Illustration/Edmon de Haro)

Over the last decade, schools—from universities to preschools—have become a battleground in the culture wars that have divided the American public. From disagreements over which bathrooms students should be allowed to use and college admissions scandals to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and tragic school shootings, education issues have been front and center. Coupled with rising tuition and stagnant income, these contentious debates and incidents have led to an erosion in trust in the institutions responsible for educating our communities.

The decline in confidence has hit higher education particularly hard. In 2015, a Gallup poll reported that around 57% of Americans had a great deal of confidence in higher education, and just 10% said they had little or no confidence. Fast forward to 2024 and the numbers shifted dramatically, with 35% of Americans reporting a great deal of confidence and 32% reporting they had very little or no confidence in higher education.

We’ve dedicated previous issues of the magazine to the important relationship between education and democracy, and last year, we turned our line of inquiry on ourselves and asked if we still need schools of education. These past issues explored pressing challenges facing education and defended the need for education in a free and just society. In this issue, we focus on solutions to repair the public’s trust in education and explore ways the USC Rossier community is working to do this.

Illustration a college banner that has been torn apart and tapped back together.

Dean's Byline

The work of earning trust

As public confidence in schools and colleges reaches historic lows, this issue of USC Rossier Magazine examines what led to this crisis of confidence and what it will take to restore faith in our nation’s institutions of higher learning.

Illustration of a crane lowering the roof down on top of a university administrative building.

Why Americans stopped believing in the promise of higher education

From rising costs to policy failures, the roots of distrust stretch back decades. Can understanding the past help rebuild faith?

Photo of Mary Helen Immordino-Yanng speaking at the launch of the USC CANNDLE Innnovation Lab project.

Reimagining learning from the inside out

With the launch of its Innovation Lab, USC CANDLE is partnering with educators and schools to co-create research-driven curricula that center student well-being, engagement and equity.

Illustration of different hands painting rainbow colored columns of a school administrative building.

Equity is everyone’s fight

As federal pressure shutters DEI programs, the Pullias Center is showing institutions how to integrate equity principles across departments, roles and campus priorities through a shared leadership model.

In Conversation

Defending education and renewing hope

At the annual Pullias Lecture, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera and Pullias Center Co-Director Adrianna Kezar took a candid look at the rising costs, political battles and enduring promise of higher education.

While on a trip to Jamaica to meet with government officials to discuss global development issues in 2019, Oduwole visited Mona Heights Primary School in Kingston, Jamaica, to speak with students.

Student Story

USC Rossier doctoral student Zuriel Oduwole nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

The internationally lauded 23-year-old filmmaker, education advocate and policymaker came to USC to deepen her understanding of leadership and organizational change.

Illustration of flowers emerging from a red backpack.

Tips for Educators

Planting the seeds of environmental citizenship

Using the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals as a framework, educators can help students reach their potential as agents of change.

PUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco welcomes Norma Coombs Elementary students back to school after the Eaton Fire. Credit: Photo/Courtesy of KLRN Pasadena

Leading through tragedy

In the wake of the Eaton fire, Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco EdD '09 rallied Pasadena Unified around one mission: reopening schools.

Westcliff University, rewired

Over the past decade, Anthony Lee EdD ’13 has embraced innovation, positioning his institution to thrive in the changing landscape of modern education.

How a USC Rossier EdD student led a national effort to boost vaccine confidence in Black communities

During her doctoral studies at USC Rossier, Synovia Moss EdD ’25 helped guide more than 40 community-based organizations nationwide in strengthening vaccine uptake, building trust and shaping a long-term strategy for future public health emergencies.

Illustration of blue and red hands holding up a mortarboard.

Opinion

Higher ed’s trust crisis can’t be solved alone

To restore Americans’ faith in their promise and importance, universities must act collectively.

Rossier Supporters

Her teaching career began at USC Rossier, and now she's giving back

Sandra Lieberman’s fulfilling work in special education inspired a scholarship fund to support the next generation of educators.