Podcast Summary: Up First from NPR
Episode: The Class of 2025
Release Date: May 25, 2025
Host: Aisha Rascoe

Introduction

In this episode of NPR's Up First, host Aisha Rascoe delves into the challenges faced by the Class of 2025 amid significant federal funding cuts affecting higher education and government-related career paths. Through personal stories and expert analysis, the episode highlights the resilience and determination of graduating seniors as they navigate an uncertain future.

Impact of Federal Funding Cuts on Graduating Students

Liam Powell's Story: A Promise Broken

The episode begins with the poignant story of Liam Powell, a senior at Duke Kunshan University, whose anticipated internship with the U.S. Department of State was abruptly canceled due to a federal hiring freeze.

• Transcript Highlight:
  Liam Powell (00:17): “Dear William N. Powell, thank you for your interest in an internship with the US Department of State.”
  Liam Powell (00:41): “We regret to inform you that the U.S. Department of State has canceled the summer 2025 cycle of the student internship program...”

This setback not only disrupted Liam's career plans but also symbolized the broader impact of government policy changes on emerging professionals.

Graduation Amid Uncertainty

As the Class of 2025 celebrates their achievements, many like Liam grapple with impending uncertainties. Host Aisha Rascoe reflects on the duality of graduation: a time of celebration overshadowed by the unpredictability of the future.

• Transcript Highlight:
  Aisha Rascoe (03:10): “A lot has changed in higher education in the last several months. It seems like every time you turn on the news, there's a headline about how universities are being affected by the decisions of the federal government.”

Legislative Impact on Universities

Supreme Court Decisions and Administration Policies

The episode sheds light on significant legislative actions impacting higher education:

• SUPREME COURT RULING:
  Alyssa Johnson (03:10): “The Supreme Court recently cleared the way for the Trump administration to cancel roughly $65 million in federal education grants linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

• VISA Cancellations and Staff Layoffs:
  Liam Powell (03:22): “The visas of 18 students at FIU [Florida International University].”
  Alyssa Johnson (03:25): “Columbia University announced today it is laying off 180 staff members working on research funded by federal grants...”

These actions have led to reduced funding for diversity programs, layoffs at major universities, and disruptions in student and faculty opportunities.

Student Perspectives: Voices from the Frontline

Host Aisha Rascoe interviews three seniors—Liam Powell, Alyssa Johnson from Purdue University, and Bobby McAlpine, student body president at Ohio State University—to understand their personal experiences and aspirations amidst these changes.

Changing Career Plans and Deferred Dreams

• Alyssa Johnson on Career Shifts (06:26):
  “I thought I was going to go to graduate school to get a PhD, but everything that's been going on has kind of changed my life plans.”

• Liam Powell on Internship Challenges (06:41):
  “I was really expecting to have some sort of referral or return offer at either of my last two internships that I've had, and both of those prospects have fallen through.”

Impact on Campus Morale and Support Systems

• Bobby McAlpine on Campus Morale (07:07):
  “A lot of people have asked me this question, and I always struggle to answer it because, on the one hand, we are an amazing school. We just won a national championship for football. But on the other hand, students have come to me and just... they feel really scared.”

• DEI Office's Role (08:51):
  Bobby McAlpine: “I was able to stay afloat... they allowed you to be heard.”

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office emerges as a crucial support system for students facing both personal and academic challenges, especially in times of administrative and legislative turmoil.

Navigating Funding Cuts and Research Challenges

• Alyssa Johnson on Research Funding (10:18):
  “Graduate admissions across the whole entire country have gone to a very low point because universities and institutions and professors need to protect the people they already have.”

• Issues with Grant Review Processes (11:12):
  “They're using either people who maybe don't have a lot of expertise towards reviewing these grants and understanding... to screen through the names of grants for words like diversity, equity, climate change.”

These challenges highlight systemic issues in how research funding is allocated and reviewed, often influenced by political agendas rather than scientific merit.

Resilience and Future Outlook

Despite the adversities, the students exhibit remarkable resilience and maintain a forward-looking perspective.

Commitment to Public Service and Adaptation

• Aisha Rascoe on Career Aspirations (13:54):
  “I want to go into government relations and government affairs... why would I place myself in that extreme unknown rather than wait a few years to try and see just how this is going to affect everything?”

• Liam Powell on Long-term Goals (15:09):
  “It's definitely not something for me that I've completely ruled out... it's more of a delaying of what my goals look like and where I want to be.”

• Alyssa Johnson on Public Service (15:29):
  “I would love to be a public servant if academia didn't work out for me... funding was always going to be there.”

Strengthening Activism and Community Engagement

• Aisha Rascoe on Student Activism (16:53):
  “It's forcing a lot of students to really look at how all of these universities are funded. How can we make sure that they continue to be funded?”

• Shared Determination (17:23):
  Alyssa Johnson: “I can't look away.”
  Aisha Rascoe: “Silence is not an option anymore.”
  Liam Powell: “We have to work together for change and just like for, I don't know, for something better than this to happen.”

Optimism for the Future

• Final Motivational Words (18:45):
  Aisha Rascoe: “Determined people remain and a determined people rise. Class of 2025, this is not the end of the road. This is the start of a new chapter. Let it be bold, let it be brave. Let it be worthy of the journey that it took to get here.”

The episode concludes on a note of hope, emphasizing that while the Class of 2025 faces unprecedented challenges, their collective resilience and activism pave the way for meaningful change.

Conclusion

Up First’s episode on the Class of 2025 poignantly captures the intersection of personal aspirations and broader socio-political challenges. Through the voices of graduating seniors, the episode underscores the critical impact of federal policies on education and career pathways while celebrating the unwavering spirit of the new generation poised to drive future change.

Notable Quotes:

• Alyssa Johnson (03:10): “The Supreme Court recently cleared the way for the Trump administration to cancel roughly $65 million in federal education grants linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
• Aisha Rascoe (13:00): “Higher education should not be a political football, period.”
• Aisha Rascoe (16:53): “It's forcing a lot of students to really look at how all of these universities are funded. How can we make sure that they continue to be funded?”
• Aisha Rascoe (18:45): “Determined people remain and a determined people rise. Class of 2025, this is not the end of the road. This is the start of a new chapter.”

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