U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon escalated the Trump administration’s push for higher education policy changes, urging college leaders to publish commitments to admissions transparency, intellectual pluralism, free speech protections, and affordability by the end of 2026. The notice, framed as a “National Call to Action,” asks presidents and board members to make specific postings publicly on their websites. It also renews pressure tied to the administration’s earlier “Compact for Academic Excellence,” which many colleges rejected after concerns about institutional independence. Education Department officials said the approach is designed to “hold higher education accountable” while encouraging institutional autonomy in how reforms are implemented. A pending federal rule would give political appointees final say over certain grant decisions, keeping the policy stakes high for institutions seeking federal research dollars. Separately, an AGB CEO statement from Ross A. Mugler warned that board independence and institutional autonomy must remain the guardrails for any reform effort. The framing sets up a compliance moment for governance bodies balancing public trust concerns with academic freedom and fiduciary responsibility.