U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon urged university presidents and board members to publicly commit to major policy reforms by the end of 2026, framing the call as a bid to restore public trust in higher education amid record-low confidence. Her letter asks institutions to post commitments on topics including transparent admissions, free speech and open inquiry, intellectual pluralism in faculty hiring, and affordability and student outcomes. The effort builds on—and adjusts—an earlier Trump administration “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” Officials said the new approach is less prescriptive, asking colleges to answer questions rather than pledging to adopt specific mandated changes. Deputy chief of staff for strategy Jonathan Pidluzny characterized the revised letter as encouraging “radical reform” toward merit and academic rigor. The administration’s strategy also leans toward future leverage over federal engagement. McMahon’s request echoes reporting that universities publishing their responses could be positioned for involvement in grant-related conversations as a proposed rule would give political appointees final say over federal grant awards.