As universities navigate the evolving political landscape, professors at the University of Pittsburgh are finding new ways to adapt to changes in higher education funding and policies.
Since Donald Trump commenced his second term, the consequences of federal research funding cuts have been felt nationwide, leading to hiring freezes and pauses in graduate admissions, including at Pitt. This has sparked a broader discussion about the worth of education. Numerous faculty members have voiced their concerns about how these changes are impacting research and students.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding has faced threats and terminations under the Trump administration, significantly impacting labs and educational institutions. This year, Pitt will experience a $183 million reduction in NIH support, a substantial 25% cut according to a recent report.
Naima Mohammadi, a teaching assistant professor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, expressed apprehension about teaching sensitive topics like LGBTQ+ issues and women’s rights as an Iranian immigrant. She said, “The reason I decided to move to the U.S. was a lack of freedom of speech, and in my home country, I couldn’t publish my articles.” Her teaching approach is cautious to protect both herself and her students from political repercussions.
Federal funding cuts have also affected Mohammadi’s research opportunities, as she lost support from organizations such as the Middle East Studies Association (MESA). Despite these challenges, she acknowledges the support from her colleagues and the university community as crucial for maintaining morale. “The University wanted immigrant scholars to share their experiences, and they invited us to be around one another for support,” she noted.
Liann Tsoukas, director of undergraduate studies in the history department, highlighted the broader pressures on higher education. “Let’s be honest, higher education is under attack. It’s being accused of all sorts of things. It’s being accused of indoctrination,” Tsoukas said. She emphasized that even departments not directly affected by funding cuts feel the ripple effects.
In the Swanson School of Engineering, associate professor Takashi Kozai reported that several research initiatives have been canceled due to budget constraints. He noted the university’s efforts to assist impacted graduate students but expressed uncertainty about the future value of grant proposals amidst ongoing cuts, questioning, “Is it worth spending 40, 60, 70 hours writing another grant?”
The economics department is also grappling with these challenges. Associate professor Lester Lusher shared that while his tenured position remains secure, the hiring freeze hampers the department’s ability to meet increasing student demand. He raised concerns about international faculty’s ability to travel and return, mirroring issues faced by students on visas.
Anthony Ocepek, a teaching assistant professor in political science, is encountering difficulties securing external funding for initiatives like a model NATO program at Pitt. He remains focused on delivering quality education and exploring new ways to engage students.
John Boonstra, teaching assistant professor in history, is addressing contentious historical topics that have been challenged by the Trump administration. He remarked on the importance of confronting these issues, stating, “It is a product of human history and shutting our eyes to it won’t make its consequences go away.”
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