What college students hope, fear from the new presidential administration

“I’m concerned about how (Trump) said he wants to ban, as he says, ‘DEI stuff,’ because I think that will make college campuses a much less diverse area,” McCullough said. “I think it’s overall going to foster less empathy and understanding of people’s diverse experiences. … I can definitely see arts and humanities classes taking a hit, as well as classes about cultural diversity.”

“I’m also concerned about how he just signed (an executive order) that there are only two genders … which could affect resources that are given to trans students,” she continued. “I know that a lot of universities, including (UC San Diego), have places like STRIDE that give out gender-affirming need products. I’m concerned that funding for that will be cut short.”

By Abby Offenhauser

“I am an immigrant, and I didn’t come here to do anything bad,” Mejias said. “They think that anybody who comes here, that is not from the U.S., has bad intentions. People don’t immigrate just because they want to leave their country. They immigrate because they want to change their future. They want to work and have a different life.”

Mejias’ goal is to transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo following the completion of the required computer science transfer courses at Saddleback College. Then Mejias wants to find remote work and return home to Venezuela.

“I really miss my country, my people,” Mejias said. “I will see if I come back,” he added, because the changing social climate and attitude toward immigration in the U.S. has contributed to Mejias’ hesitation about a future visit to the states.

He also feels more comfortable in California. “I’ve been to different states, and there you see people (who are possessive of) their territory. They carry guns and everything. I’m like, ‘Oh, I am going back to California,’” Mejias said. “I think because I am here in California, I feel way way more safe than being in any part of the U.S.”

By Tasmin McGill

“Half the research projects that were supposed to interview me today were canceled because the (principal investigators) no longer know if they have funding or can support a new member with the freezing of NIH funds,” Garcia said, referring to recent announcements about cuts to research funded through the National Institutes of Health.

“I feel so disheartened and almost pessimistic (for) the future of biomedical research because research and academia has a long history of excluding groups of people … resulting in clinical conclusions that aren’t actually accurate or generalizable.”  

By Jordan Montero

“My hopes regarding the new Trump administration regarding high education are low,” Martinez said. “I would hope for continued support for policies that protect the rights of students and faculty to express a wide range of views, particularly those that may be seen as controversial or conservative in nature.”

Continued Martinez, “My concerns are in him cutting off federal funding for education … particularly for research. The Trump administration’s more restrictive stance on immigration could create barriers for international students, who are an important part of many U.S. higher education institutions. Restrictions on visas and work opportunities could deter top global talent from studying in the U.S., affecting the country’s standing in global higher education rankings and innovation.

Martinez is not feeling hopeful. “I fear for my people, and for me. For my education, my future.”

By Queena Duong

“I just hope things go OK… that (Trump) doesn’t do anything too drastic. He’s already problematic with some of the racist stuff he’s said.”

Rivera also expressed her concerns for her undocumented peers.“I feel really bad for them (undocumented students). It’s so hard to be in a position where you’re so unstable … every presidential term and you don’t know if (you’re) going to be deported, if (your) family members are going to be deported at any time.”

By Raina Dent

“My hope for the new Trump administration in higher education is that they continue to fund people that are from minority backgrounds, like allowing (Educational Opportunity Programs) to continue,” Munyoki said. “I know that there were talks of getting budget cuts in that way.”

Munyoki said he is concerned about the Trump administration’s AI infrastructure plan and what it could potentially mean for humanities-related departments and jobs.

“I hope that (money) goes into the higher education field, rather than just commercializing AI in a way to make the economy boom. Having a smarter nation that would be utilizing AI as a tool rather than a cheat code would be more important,” Munyoki said.

By Jenna Ramiscal

“I think the way that the Trump administration dismisses facts, especially when it comes to science and climate change, is an issue,” Neal said. “There are thousands of people that are studying this,” she said, yet she believes facts are being disregarded “just based on his word,  with nothing to back it.”

Added Neal, “I think they undermine educators and researchers and the purpose of why we’re going to school in the first place.”

She also expressed concern about knowing what’s actually true. “I think media literacy is the most important thing right now — being careful about everything we see on the news and also on social media as well,” Neal said.

“As people who are college students in higher education, maybe we are a little more attuned to that, but it’s so hard to know what’s real and know what’s actually happening; I feel like with the Trump administration, they do a really good job of masking what’s really going on.”

By Kelcie Lee

“I don’t want federal funding to be taken away, because that is something a lot of students depend on,” including herself, Davila said. “I also hope it doesn’t get harder to get into colleges, because everyone deserves an education,” she said.

Davila also expressed concerns with Trump signing a new executive order to end all diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

“My major concern is funding and the DEI initiatives. There is a lot of diversity at CSUDH, so taking away programs that include every type of student would take away happiness in the school,” she said. “A lot of students love all different types of programs.”

By Mia Garcia

“As a queer person, I’m just really concerned for the state of our rights right now,” Redclift said. “Especially trans health care, gender affirming care, pronouns, things like that.”

Redclift, who uses they/them pronouns, is a member of the LGBTQ+ Public Health Club on campus — said one of their goals for the semester is to provide support to those impacted by the Trump administration policies affecting higher education.

“Being a part of this community, a lot of people are really, really worried, and I just am fearful of the mental health impacts of that. I think that’s going to be really detrimental if all that access gets cut away,” they said. “We really need that more than ever right now.”

By Emily Wilson

“My big concern is that there’s going to be a general defunding of higher education,” Martires said. He called Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order to freeze all federal grants and loans a “big mistake.”

The order has been temporarily blocked by a U.S. District Court judge, but if implemented, would affect research grants and funding for minority-serving institutions. “I get the auditing angle, but the problem is that there are people who can experience material harm from not being able to access these resources.”

Martires hopes “right-wing misconceptions” about “wokeness” on college campuses are addressed. “A ton of (Republicans) seem to have this mythic belief about what is really being taught at schools. They think it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, they’re learning to hate the U.S.A. at these liberal indoctrinating colleges,’ when really, we’re just doing math here.”

By Carissa Coane

“I took a science class on global warming last semester, and I’m afraid that classes covering those topics won’t happen anymore,” Rice said, who is concerned that conservative ideology will overtake courses that Trump sees as controversial.

“All of these deeply interesting classes, such as critical race theory and women and gender studies, are so important to our society, and I’m afraid they’ll be considered taboo.”

Rice said that she believes censoring courses would be “a recipe for terrible education.”

By Ally Valiente

“My one hope is that we are at a place where we don’t need diversity, equity, and inclusion, that no one will be at a disadvantage,” Neuschaefer said. He hopes the decision to remove DEI programs is a reflection of the progress as a society rather than limiting the accessibility of education.

“At the end of the day, the discussion of changing the curriculum — not teaching critical race theory — that’s all theater,” Neuschaefer said.

“We’re already at a point where the education system is flawed in this country. There is a lot of inequality in our education system.”

By Nathalie Herrera

“My hopes are that (education) will continue to be funded, because I believe education is one thing that allows America to stay on the forefront of technology,” McFadden said.

“Similarly, a big concern of mine is that he’ll defund higher education. (Obviously that’s oversimplified, but) especially seen with his latest budget proposals, they basically increase the deficit; all that money goes to the military, while everything gets defunded.”

Continued McFadden, “What I know right now is that 38 Republicans in Congress shut down this latest budget proposal because it is so obscene. I think that goes to show just how insane of a budget plan that is, considering that 38 people from his own party (are) still fighting him on that. I believe that speaks volumes.”

By Joshua Silla

“I feel a little bit worried about funds that might be getting cut off in this new administration, especially for those who rely on funds and scholarships. They may not be able to access education due to the new terms,” Dodson said.

She also is concerned about diversity, equity and inclusion programs. “There’s been a lot of issues surrounding DEI. I feel like DEI is a huge part of college campuses in a lot of different aspects, with clubs and academics. I think it depends on each specific university, but as a whole, it’s definitely not going to be taken as seriously.”

Dodson said she is not feeling optimistic, but “maybe something will surprise (her).”

By John Washington