Advancing Public Trust in Higher Education: A Conversation with the Philanthropic Community

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

3:20 PM - 4:30 PM East Coast USA Time

Location: Marquis Salons 1 & 2 - Level M2

Moderator(s)

Nancy Cable

Chair, AAC&U Presidents' Trust
Executive Director, William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust

Presenter(s)

ZE

Zakiya Ellis

Principal
EducationCounsel
PH

Phillip Brian Harper

Program Director
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
JH

Jonathan Holloway

President and CEO
Henry Luce Foundation

Higher education has become a flashpoint in political discourse. Its curricula have been scrutinized, its values have been questioned, its funding has been reduced, and its autonomy has been circumscribed. Alongside these escalating challenges, public trust in higher education has plummeted. In this session, attendees will discuss practical strategies for making the case for higher education and rebuilding public trust.