ACTA - American Council of Trustees and Alumni

08/31/2026

Legendary university president Stephen Trachtenberg asks how to revitalize the study of American history when it remains dominated by "dreadful" books like Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States, "a litany of our sins".

08/29/2026

ICYMI: ACTA's Michael Poliakoff interviews Lt. General H.R. McMaster and diplomat & scholar John Hillen on what makes America exceptional in history and today - and how to teach this to the next generation of informed patriots.

Watch on Youtube:https://youtu.be/9MEw5gBISQ0

On this episode of Higher Ed Now Civics Edition, ACTA President Mic...

08/29/2026

Strengthening knowledge of the American Founding. Guidance for how to adapt in the age of AI. Oh, and rebuilding US history and civics in core curriculum nationwide.

Just a few things ACTA got up to this summer.

ACTA continued its efforts to strengthen civic literacy and understanding of the American Founding, highlighting A Broadside for the Nation

08/28/2026

📹 General H.R. McMaster explains how the US military has never been tasked with determining policy. George Washington set the precedent, even though he was frequently frustrated by the Continental Congress's broken promises.

08/27/2026

📹"You're part of that tapestry, whether you want to be or not."

On a special video edition of Higher Ed Now, diplomat John Hillen explains the civic tapestry of the United States - the conversations in US history that led us to the present.

08/26/2026

Katherine Johnson is most famous for her 33-year career with NASA. But she studied every subject with zeal, which served her well during her long and storied career. Today’s students must take earning a well-rounded education just as seriously.

Read the new blog post celebrating what would be Katherine's 108th birthday:

Education is taken for granted in the United States. It is readily available, yet many students pursue their studies half-heartedly.

08/25/2026

📹VIDEO PODCAST: General H.R. McMaster & diplomat John Hillen explain the three gifts George Washington gave his country - and why the US was lucky to have a man of such powerful character as its founding Father.

Watch this special video episode of Higher Ed Now on Youtube:

08/23/2026

"And we are, I will say without hesitation, exceptional."

On the Glenn Loury Show, ACTA president Michael Poliakoff explains what makes America extraordinary:

08/22/2026

"Sometimes it's just a matter of, 'y'know, we learned that's actually a bad idea, and we really need to not allow these.'"

Keith Whittington explains why most universities failed to act quickly and decisively during the height of anti-Israel encampments.

08/21/2026

Overall, the Education Department's newly-proposed revisions to accreditation standards are a step in the right direction. ACTA is especially supportive of the efforts to incentivize the creation of new accreditors that can drive reform in a stagnant industry.

But it's not enough. Congress must reauthorize the Higher Education Act if we want accreditation that truly promotes student achievement and institutional outcomes.