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EXCLUSIVE: Valley Forge Military College in Pennsylvania has made history by becoming the first institution to sign up for President Donald Trump’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. This decision comes after seven prominent colleges chose not to participate in the initiative.
On Tuesday, Valley Forge Military College sent a formal letter to Dr. David Barker, who serves as the assistant secretary for postsecondary education under the Trump administration. In this letter, the college expressed its commitment to joining the compact.
The letter stated, “On behalf of Valley Forge Military College, we are writing to express our desire and honor to be the first military college to support you and our Commander in Chief, President Donald J. Trump, by signing the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” Furthermore, they emphasized their alignment with the compact’s principles aimed at enhancing educational quality, accessibility, and accountability within American higher education.
Founded in 1935, Valley Forge Military College operates as a two-year junior college and offers programs designed for early commissioning as officers in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard. A remarkable 98% of its graduates transfer to four-year institutions to continue their education. Additionally, the college provides a Citizen Leader Program tailored for civilians aspiring to experience the structure and discipline associated with military education.
“Our mission—to educate, train, and inspire the leaders of tomorrow—aligns naturally with the Compact’s goals of promoting institutional excellence and preparing students for meaningful contributions to society,” the letter elaborated, showcasing their commitment to the cause.
Understanding the Compact’s Principles
At its core, the Compact proposes a set of guiding principles aimed at redefining the landscape of higher education. These principles include merit-based admission policies and hiring processes that transcend considerations of race, gender, political belief, ethnicity, and nationality.
Moreover, it calls for the preservation of freedom of expression while taking a firm stance against institutional practices that would target conservative ideologies. It includes provisions relating to the recognition of biological sex in athletic competitions, restroom designations, and locker room access. Political neutrality is highlighted as a requirement within higher education institutions, alongside expectations for fiscal responsibility and guidelines regarding admissions of international students.
In return for adhering to these guidelines, participating colleges may receive preferential federal funding, enhancing their financial support from the government.
Responses from Other Colleges
While Valley Forge Military College has embraced the compact, many other institutions have opted out, asserting that their existing principles align closely with its stipulations. Some colleges argue that joining the compact could potentially undermine academic freedom.
Valley Forge Military College, however, takes a contrasting stance. In their letter, they expressed that involvement in the Compact could offer beneficial opportunities geared towards collaborative efforts, shared learning experiences, and ongoing educational enhancements.
“We are particularly eager to contribute to discussions on leadership education, student resilience, and pathways from two-year programs to four-year institutions. These are areas in which Valley Forge has developed effective practices and measurable outcomes that could benefit peer institutions,” the college indicated.
Signed by Marine Corps Col. Stuart Helgeson, who serves as president of Valley Forge Military College, and John English, a Marine Corps veteran and current chairman of the school’s board, the letter illustrates strong administrative support for Trump’s initiative.
A Unique Perspective on Funding
In an interview, Colonel Helgeson shared insights on the school’s decision to participate. “We are a small, private institution, so if it allows us to revamp parts of our campus and enhance our program offerings, we believe this could be a positive move,” he said. “We are not chasing down government money from the Department of Education. Our model is tailored towards training future military officers, and we pride ourselves on that specialization.”
English expressed that unlike many institutions that depend on attracting international students, Valley Forge Military College holds a distinct position by focusing solely on developing military leaders. “What we’re doing here is very straightforward. We’re cultivating officers and warriors to serve our country,” he stated.
Industry Reactions
The Trump administration has reached out to nine colleges, consisting of both public and private universities, to seek their opinions on the compact. By the set deadline of October 20, none had expressed willingness to sign. Esteemed institutions such as MIT, Brown University, Dartmouth College, and others have all declined involvement.
Some universities, including Vanderbilt University and the University of Texas at Austin, have taken a noncommittal stance on the proposal, reflecting broader hesitation among campuses nationwide.
English noted the reluctance from some colleges to engage with the compact, suggesting that fears of backlash from students, faculty, and donors may be influencing their decisions. “They appear to be uncertain about their direction. In contrast, we have a clear mission: to produce well-trained military leaders who can ensure the safety of our nation,” he argued.
Valley Forge’s Commitment to Nonpartisanship
Both Helgeson and English emphasized that at Valley Forge Military College, partisan political factors do not influence educational directives. The institution aims to cultivate graduates who are prepared to continue their academic pursuits and serve their country with honor.
Helgeson rhetorically questioned, “Why should politics hinder the progress of educational institutions?” A focus on developing programs, like the NSA-certified cybersecurity initiative and a new drone piloting program, remains a priority for the college.
“Our aim is to construct attractive laboratory environments where students can obtain advanced training, positioning them as valuable assets to our nation,” he concluded.
