The Decline of Trust in Institutions

In this thought-provoking clip, Meredith Woo reflects on the deep-rooted structural challenges confronting U.S. higher education and its connection to the health of liberal democracy. She explores how universities — originally conceived as engines of social mobility — now face growing public skepticism amid rising inequality and political polarization. Woo critiques the internal dynamics of academia, where institutional self-interest often outweighs public mission, and where prestige-driven models blur the lines between public and private institutions. Emphasizing the importance of looking outward, she calls on universities to reengage with their civic purpose.