Challenges of Managing Humanities Academic Programs During Trump’s Second Term
In recent years, the landscape of humanities education has evolved into a precarious environment, marked by declining funding and increasing political scrutiny. Notably, in 2025, programs dedicated to the study of gender, sexuality, and women’s issues, among other critical disciplines, face unprecedented challenges. At prominent institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, where the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program operates, these difficulties have brought the essential role of humanities into sharp focus.
The ongoing erosion of financial support for humanities scholarship is alarming. As federal and state funding diminishes, particularly for fields related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), many crucial academic areas—such as Africana, Asian American, Latinx, and gender studies—are losing traction. This trend poses significant risks to the future of these programs, leading to reduced budgets, fewer faculty positions, and diminishing research opportunities.
While the effects of funding cuts on science disciplines have gained considerable media attention, the impacts on the National Endowment for the Humanities and similar organizations are equally concerning. Scholars from diverse backgrounds often find themselves navigating a restrictive environment wherein funding is contingent upon alignment with shifting political narratives that may undermine the core principles of their work. The politicization of education has created a climate of fear, where educators face potential harassment or threats for engaging in academic discourse surrounding contentious topics.
For many who navigate these humanities disciplines, the implications extend beyond mere financial constraints to a broader cultural and ethical crisis. Faculty members report experiencing threats and harassment, which stifle open inquiry and discourage meaningful discussions around essential societal issues. The ongoing debates regarding the definition of sex and the constraints on conversations regarding gender identity further complicate the academic landscape, as scholars are increasingly pressured to conform to prevailing political ideologies.
The ramifications of undermining humanities education reverberate beyond the classroom. The skills cultivated within these programs, such as critical thinking, empathy, ethical reasoning, and nuanced social understanding, prepare students for active citizenship in a complex world. As universities aim to equip students to address pressing societal challenges, the importance of sustaining humanities programs has never been clearer.
To ensure the continued relevance and vitality of humanities education, educators and institutions must engage in better communication about the value of these studies. By linking the skills developed in humanities classrooms to diverse career pathways, the narrative around these disciplines can shift to highlight their essential role in fostering creative, adaptable, and well-rounded individuals. Upholding the principles of humanities education is critical, as it acts as a bulwark against the forces that seek to diminish its significance, ultimately reinforcing our ability to challenge assumptions and strive for a more just society.
The struggle to maintain humanities programs is not merely about funding; it represents a broader commitment to preserving the intellectual tools that inspire critical thought and meaningful discourse in our increasingly complex world. As higher education faces new challenges, the call to defend and promote humanities education has become imperative.
