Presidents' Trust
The Essentials
The Essentials
An exclusive benefit of the Presidents' Trust, The Essentials is a series of monthly briefs designed to help college and university presidents convey the value of liberal education.
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Principled Leadership to Advance Public Trust in Higher Education
The Agility Imperative: How Employers View Preperation for an Uncertain Future
Global Learning Gains Strategic Ground
Academic Freedom, Viewpoint Diversity, and the "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education"
Principled Leadership to Combat Antisemitism
Preparing for the Effects of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"
Americans' Perceptions of Higher Education
Mission-Advancing Leadership in the Face of Federal Overreach
Geographic and Political Trends in Signers of “A Call for Constructive Engagement”
Enhancing Student Success Through Transparent Assignment Design
Education-to-Career Coaching Supports Better Career Outcomes for College Graduates
Higher-ed Professionals Feel Respected, But Overworked
AI's Impact on Teaching and Learning
Past Issues
- December 2024: President-Elect Trump's Plan for Higher Education
- November 2024: Faculty Perspectives and Experiences Related to Academic Freedom
- October 2024: Preparing for the Days After an Election
- September 2024: Student Loneliness Is a Major Challenge for Colleges
- August 2024: Approaching Election Day in the US: Tensions, Turnout, and Teachable Moments
- July 2024: What Works to Advance Student Success
- June 2024: Political Threats to Higher Education’s Autonomy
- May 2024: How College Value is Perceived by the Public
- April 2024: Teaching Durable Skills: An Intentional Approach
- March 2024: Civic Learning and Community Engagement at Community Colleges
- February 2024: 2024 Legislative Landscape
- January 2024: Assessing College Students’ Quantitative Literacy Skills
- December 2023: How Much do Rankings Matter to Students and Alumni?
- November 2023: Creating Distinctive New Academic Programs
- October 2023: How Restrictions on Academic Freedom Affect Graduates’ Employability
- September 2023: Micro-credentials and More: Learning for Life
- August 2023: College Students' Written Communication Skills
- July 2023: Race-Based Affirmative Action in Higher Education
- June 2023: Embracing Artificial Intelligence
- May 2023: Preparing for the Supreme Court's Ruling on Race in Admissions
- April 2023: The American College President Today
- March 2023: College Students' Critical Thinking
- February 2023: The Mental Health and Well-being of Young Professionals
- January 2023: Preparing for the Presidents' Trust Symposium
- December 2022: Common Learning Outcomes for Four-Year College Students
- November 2022: Legal Restrictions on Educational Discussion and Instruction
- October 2022: Articulating the Value Proposition of Higher Education
- September 2022: Digital Equity
- August 2022: Exhaustion, Mental Health, and Resilience
- July 2022: Inflation, College Costs, and Institutional Reputation
- June 2022: Workforce Transformation Impacting Higher Education
- May 2022: Using VALUE to Accelerate Authentic Assessment
- April 2022: Fostering Equity in Access to Learning
- March 2022: Public Perception of College Admissions Tests
- February 2022: Responding to Student Protests
- January 2022: Equity Commitments and Learning Outcomes

Contribute
To propose a topic for The Essentials or contribute content, contact Kathryn Enke, Vice President for Leadership, Strategy and Advancement.