Each academic year, the University of Vermont explores an aspect of today’s society through several components of its Presidential Lecture Series. Each lecture, made possible by endowments from generous donors, explores a particular aspect of that theme.

For the 2025-26 academic year, the University explores the future of higher education. Changing demographics, upended federal and state policy, new technologies, evolving student and family expectations, uncertain job markets, rising mistrust of the academy, lessons from Covid, technological innovations, and disagreement about the very purpose of an education all raise questions about higher education’s ends and the means to those ends.

Paul S. Dean and Lauren A. Rivera will argue for and against this year’s Janus Forum resolution: “Obtaining a college degree no longer enables adequate social mobility.”

Dr. Tromp delivers welcoming remarks. A Q&A will follow.  ALS and CART services provided.  Light refreshments provided.