As the incoming Trump administration prepares to take office, the state of Florida's educational reforms are being touted as a potential national blueprint. Meanwhile, educational institutions and associated groups are responding to the inauguration in diverse ways, from mental health support to travel advisories for international students.
With Inauguration Day coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many schools will be closed. However, various universities and educational organizations are offering resources and activities for students. Some groups, like the Students for Justice in Palestine and Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Illinois Chicago, are planning anti-Israel protests.
In anticipation of the inauguration, some institutions are focusing on mental health. Emory University's Rollin School of Public Health, for example, published an interview with a clinical psychologist offering advice on managing anxiety during presidential transitions. The psychologist recommended limiting social media and news consumption and focusing on community engagement and personal well-being.
The Close Up Foundation is offering middle school students a trip to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration, aiming to provide a firsthand look at how national ideals are put into practice. Conversely, several universities, including Cornell, USC, Harvard, MIT, and Penn State, have advised international students to return to the U.S. before the inauguration, citing potential changes to immigration policies.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has instructed teachers to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from taking action against students or families on school grounds. Following Trump's election win, some universities, such as Georgetown and Northwestern, offered dedicated spaces and activities for students to manage post-election stress.
