Dismantling the DOE: Potential Impacts on AV in Higher Education
On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that charges Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the dismantling of the Department of Education with the purpose of “sending educational decisions back the states.” While it is indeed shocking to some that the president would touch a government agency so many Americans are reliant upon, for others, the move is viewed as Trump keeping a campaign promise. Likely, the executive order will face serious legal challenges, not to mention Congress’s “ownership” of the Department. But, assuming it were to go through, what are the true potential implications of eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, specifically through the lens of an audiovisual tech manager? Let’s explore both the possible benefits as well as adverse outcomes, considering administrative processes, funding opportunities, technological innovation, standards alignment, equity in resource allocation, and compliance obligations. ... [Read more at HigherEdAV.com]
Dr. Josiah Way is the Executive Director, Digital Spaces at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), known as a revolutionary visionary and innovator in the audiovisual industry. As the leading educational technology thought leader, Joe was recognized as the 2019 AV Professional of the Year, 2023 AV Living Legend, 2008 Businessman of the Year, and is named to multiple top industry and influencers lists, including the 2024 global Top 100 Innovators and Entrepreneurs, 2024 Who’s Who in America, 2023 Top 50 UC Professionals, and 2019 and 2022 Top 30 Higher Ed IT Leaders lists. He is a highly sought keynote speaker and writer, most acclaimed for his innovative design of the technology standard for hybrid instruction and business development within the higher ed vertical. Joe is the cofounder of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA) and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Higher Ed AV Media, host of the Higher Ed AV Podcast, and writer of the Business of AV monthly column. Dr. Way authored the bestselling book, Producing Worship, and is a regular contributor to multiple leading AV-industry publications, while also serving on numerous corporate and higher education advisory boards. Joe has over 30 years’ experience in education, technical production and the arts, and organizational leadership and management. He has been featured in Forbes Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, ABC and PBS Television, Yahoo News, and consulted for high profile organizations like the United Nations, US Department of Education, and over forty Fortune 500’s. In his free time, Joe enjoys cruising the lake on his boat with family and friends, golfing PGA West, and perfecting his Traeger meat-smoking techniques. Oh, and he once won his fantasy football league. Joe is available for speaking engagements, media appearances, and business development consulting.
