In the President’s Words ‘Most Importantly, Transforming Young Individuals’ Lives’ On an ABC News show, Mike Kotlikoff and three other university presidents discuss the future of higher education in the U.S. By Cornellians staff In mid-December, President Mike Kotlikoff joined the leaders of three other U.S. universities to discuss the current challenges to higher education—amid a nationwide debate around affordability, diversity, civil rights, federal funding cuts, and more. “It’s the time to take stock—and also play a little bit of offense on the value of higher education for our country,” Kotlikoff said in the discussion, which covered the University’s November 2025 agreement with the federal government to restore federal research funding, as well as tuition costs, the erosion of public trust in higher ed institutions, and other topics. “What’s critical is the opportunity, the possibility, universities present to kids that come from disadvantaged backgrounds—to have the opportunity to really change the trajectory of their lives,” Kotlikoff said. “That’s something that’s been a critical contribution of universities for decades—and that’s what we have to make sure we maintain.” It’s the time to take stock—and also play a little bit of offense on the value of higher education for our country. The other guests on the live program, “All Access with Linsey Davis,” were Neeli Bendapudi of Penn State, George French Jr. of Clark Atlanta University, and Suresh Garimella of the University of Arizona.In the segment, Kotlikoff also addressed the return on investment of a university education, Cornell’s commitment to doing the greatest good for the public, and higher education’s relevance in American society. “We are providing new knowledge, new products, impacting our economy,” he said, “and, most importantly, transforming young individuals’ lives.” (Top: Courtesy of ABC News.) Published December 11, 2025 Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Alumni Project Chronicles Experiences of Alums of Asian Descent Cornelliana Hail, All Hail, Cornell! Cornelliana A Cat Named Ezra (and Willard the Turtle, and a Car Called Carl …)