It would be easy to end this year discouraged. From campus unrest to ideological extremes at some of America’s most prestigious universities, 2025 gave us more than enough to regret. But as a university president, and as we approach this Christmas season, a time marked by reflection, renewal and hope, I believe that the whole story of higher education this year was not just about collapse. It was also about conviction.
This was a year in which students spoke out. Parents got involved. Christian leaders stayed the course. And across the country, signs of renewal were beginning to take shape. Not everywhere. Not perfect. But unmistakable.
As I look back on this year in higher education, I think these five moments indicate that a meaningful shift is already underway.
1. Students and states stand up for fairness in women’s sports
This year there was a real push to protect women’s athletics from ideological dominance. States have passed legislation to keep competition fair. Student athletes spoke with clarity and conviction. And for the first time in years, the tide in public opinion began to turn. Biology is not bigotry. The truth is important. And this was the year that more students started saying this out loud.
I HAVE BEEN COLLEGE PRESIDENT AND HIGHER EDUCATION SHOULD EMBRACE DIVERSITY OF BELIEFS
Anti-Israel agitators build an encampment on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on Monday, April 22, 2024. (Peter Gerber)
2. Christian and conservative voices pushed back on speech restrictions and won
Free speech had a comeback in 2025. From student groups gaining official recognition to legal victories across the country, the message was clear. Perspective discrimination will not be tolerated. For too long, Christian and conservative students have been told to keep quiet. This year, many chose to speak with boldness and grace. And the courts started supporting them.
3. The fall of the credibility of the elite universities opened new doors
Scandals at top institutions like Harvard made more than just headlines. They exposed a deeper crisis of trust and leadership. As families watched these schools stumble, many looked elsewhere for wisdom, integrity and education. That shift is important. It means that the era of blind prestige can finally give way to a new era of purposeful education.
4. Parents are demanding their voice back in education
Across the country, parents stepped in with renewed focus and determination. Whether speaking out at school board meetings or reevaluating where their children should go to college, families resisted ideological extremes. They ask better questions, look for schools that reflect their values and take responsibility for the academic education of the next generation.
LAW students eager to battle corrosive campus ‘CANCEL CULTURE’ SPREADING NATIONALLY
5. Public confidence in higher education is shaking, and that’s a good thing
This year, public confidence in higher education reached an all-time low. That may sound like bad news, but it actually reveals something hopeful. People are not giving up on education. They give up broken systems. They hunger for models that prioritize truth, character, and community over bureaucracy and activism. This creates space for bold, mission-driven universities to lead.
As president of Southeastern University, I saw these changes take root firsthand. We continue to partner with churches, families, and communities to provide a model of higher education that is accessible, formative, and grounded in biblical truth. Our students are not trained to escape the world. They are equipped to provide leadership in this regard.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS ADVICE
Looking ahead to 2026, we must continue to build on this momentum. This is not the time to retreat. It is the time to innovate. For parents, this means choosing schools that care more about character than rankings. For students, it means pursuing truth over popularity. And for colleges, this means refusing to trade moral clarity for cultural approval.
Most importantly, we must lead with hope rather than fear. Fear only sees what is broken. Hope sees what can be repaired. Fear withdraws from the moment. Hope steps in. As Christian leaders, our role is not to reflect the culture’s fear, but to model resilience, faith, and joy. Our campuses must be places where the truth is not only protected, but proclaimed. Where students are not only prepared for the job market, but also called to a life of meaning, service and leadership. That is the future we are building, and this year we proved that we are not alone.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Free speech made a comeback in 2025. From student groups gaining official recognition to legal victories across the country, the message was clear. Perspective discrimination will not be tolerated.
There is still work to be done. But there is also reason to hope. This year we have shown that a better future for higher education is not possible alone. It has already started.
As we celebrate Christmas and look to a new year, we need to be reminded that the light shines brightest in the darkness. Let’s build institutions that reflect this truth. These should be places where courage is cultivated, faith is lived and hope is more than a feeling. It’s the basics.
CLICK HERE TO VAN KENT INGLE
