AAC&U released “The Trust Agenda,” calling on colleges and universities to rebuild public confidence through a proactive plan focused on trustworthiness and measurable action. The framework urges campuses to accelerate innovation, deepen community partnerships, recommit to inclusive excellence, and tell a clearer story about higher education’s role in opportunity and economic mobility. The agenda also includes a mission-centered defense of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, framing the response to political pressure as a governance and communications problem rather than a defensive posture. AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella said trust cannot be restored without commitments to action and accountability that demonstrate higher ed’s value to surrounding communities. For presidents, boards, and student affairs leaders, the near-term task is translating the agenda into deliverables—so public engagement efforts and transparency measures align with campus strategy. The report’s emphasis suggests institutions will be judged not just by policy statements but by how campuses engage stakeholders and show outcomes amid continuing political scrutiny.