Hi there Reader,

This week’s theme?

Downstream consequences.

Whether it’s federal Medicaid cuts, a Supreme Court case, or the nervous system of your leadership team....

this week’s stories all point to one thing:

If you’re not proactively shaping your narrative and strategy, someone else will.

Rural Health Crisis = Higher Ed Crisis?

Key Takeaways from the Chronicle Article:

• $1 Trillion in Medicaid Cuts = A Budget Time Bomb.​
  The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is more than a federal health care issue—it’s an existential threat to rural universities, academic medical centers, and the financial models that underpin both.
• Eds & Meds Aren’t Just in Cities.​
  From farm families relying on campus staff jobs for health insurance, to regional hospitals serving as clinical rotation hubs, rural colleges and medical systems are interwoven. Cuts here will compound risks for both.
• What’s Next?​
  Expect pressure on university hospitals, reduced rural residency slots, and a fresh wave of small-college closures in medically underserved areas.

​Chronicle of Higher Ed: What a Blow to Rural Health Care Could Mean for Higher Ed​

Harvard vs. Trump: Why This Court Battle Will Reshape Higher Ed

Harvard is suing the Trump administration over what it calls “improper government intrusion.” At stake?

• $2 Billion in Frozen Contracts
• Federal overreach into hiring, admissions, and academic governance
• The long-term precedent for federal funding and campus autonomy

The Big 3 Questions:

1. Can the government yank funding based on speech or campus culture claims?
2. Does the First Amendment shield academic freedom when federal dollars are involved?
3. Will this case redefine how higher ed navigates politics—and who gets to decide what happens on campus?

Full article → 3 Big Questions at the Heart of Harvard’s Legal Battle With Trump​

Public Perception Update: Trust in Higher Ed Hits New Lows

The latest polling shows:

• Just 36% of Americans view higher education positively.
• Conservatives? Even lower. But skepticism is rising across the board.
• Key drivers: cost, political polarization, and doubts about career ROI.

Full piece → Higher Ed Dive: What Does the Public Think of Higher Ed?​

You Can’t Lead Real Change if Your Nervous System Is in Survival Mode

In our latest conversation, Genea Barnes dropped this wisdom:

• Students aren’t disengaged—they’re dysregulated.
• Your DEI strategy isn’t landing? Check the nervous system of your leadership team first.
• Culture change starts in the body, not the boardroom.

Listen to the Genea Barnes conversation → Watch the clip​

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Best,

-Mike O’Connor

O'Connor & Associates

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