Above: Donald Trump signs an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. Photo courtesy of ABC News.

Left: SAU Senior and Biology Major Noah Maske. Photo courtesy of Noah Maske.

Meet Noah Maske, a SAU senior who says he is worried about the future of his career.

“Hello, my name is Noah Maske and I am a senior Biology major. I have been passionate about biology for as long as I can remember. To be able to study that and be able to learn more about the world around me outside is a blessing. 

“I plan to go to graduate school next fall for marine science and biology at a different institution,” he tells The Buzz. 

However, Noah has hit some recent roadblocks.

“The dismantling of the Department of Education has had a major impact on my graduate school admissions process and could dismantle many different future job opportunities within my field of interest.

“Scientists all over the country are seeing diminished funding, therefore limiting the funding available to bring in new graduate students such as myself,” says Noah.

“So far in my graduate admissions process, I have faced decreased seats in programs, pushed back deadlines and results, and even the closing of opportunities due to grants and funding being put on hold due to the current state of the government.”

Federal Policy Affects Local Students.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20th to bring an efficient closure to the Department of Education. According to this official statement on the White House’s official website, the intent is to remove the power over education from the federal bureaucracy and give it back to the states and to families. The money involved in the department will be redirected to other programs. So how does the Department of Education normally use this money?

According to this New York Times article, the Department of Education’s main goal is to distribute grants and loans to college students. K-12 schools who receive federal aid for low income and disabled students are also aided through this department. The department even enforces some anti discrimination laws.

While the White House’s official website states this executive order is for the best intentions for students, it is not helping all of them. For Noah, the trouble doesn’t stop at education.

“All in all, the dismantling of the Department of Education may impact my life beyond just graduate school, as scientific funding is taking an all time hit and job opportunities for people like myself are becoming few and far between.

“I do not know much about the government giving out student loans, but I do know that, for myself, them directing money on loans will be pointless as the funding of my potential job opportunities are being sucked away like a leech.”

However, some SAU students with a different major do not share the same concerns.

“As an education major, I’m not worried about it affecting the future of my career,” says a SAU freshman who wishes to remain anonymous. 

“I’m not as familiar as I’d like to be when it comes to what the Department of Education does exactly, but I don’t believe there is a real threat if it comes to being dismantled. I think that if it is being taken down, there is probably a good reason and I trust that it will be better because of it in the future.

“There will always be a need for teachers, and if it gets dismantled, I will still be fine when it comes to finding a job.”

For sophomore education major Kaitlyn Knoche, dismantling this department is more of a mixed bag.

“There are pros and cons to dismantling the Department of Education, and I think the goal in theory is good. The cost to operate this department is high, so it would be saving money, and it would give more freedom back to the state.

“From my understanding, the side of the department that deals with higher education funding and educational research would be delegated to other agencies, and equity-driven K-12 funds would be given to the states to decide how it is used.

“My worry is that the success of this change depends on whether or not the states have systems in place to make sure support is given to the necessary areas, such as special education and low-income schools. However, completely dismantling the Department of Education might not be as likely because it has to be approved by the Senate and Congress.”

As for whether or not her future will become more volatile, Kaitlyn shares her thoughts.

“As of right now, I don’t think so,” Kaitlyn says in response to our question. “As a future Iowa teacher, I think Iowa has good systems in place that will continue to support areas that need extra funding.This will allow the state to control funds that the federal government used to control; therefore, they can push it towards areas that they think will be most beneficial. 

“I do worry about the funding that goes towards special education and low-income schools, but that funding should still be available to give if the states decide to give it to that area.”

According to the same New York Times article, there is some belief that the executive order is part of a push towards more homeschooling and private schooling. However, our anonymous freshman is more worried about what this means for future K-12 students rather than his own career.

“When I’m ready to be a teacher, I do want to be working in the public school system,” he says. “If there is a bigger push for more homeschooling and private schooling, I’m worried that I won’t be able to positively impact as many students as I’m hoping for.

“More importantly, I think public schooling is really important for students regardless of who they are or where they come from in any regards.

“Public school is where you can meet any kind of person, and I believe that helps you get ready for the real world in a better way than private school or homeschool can do. 

“The social connection you start learning by interacting with all kinds of people is a good headstart when it comes to future schooling and life outside of school.”

Kaitlyn sees similar values to this freshman when it comes to public schools. “I think public education is very valuable; public systems can’t turn anyone away—they are available for everyone. 

“I don’t see a problem with parents choosing to send their kids to homeschooling or private schooling; however, if those schools are being supported in the same way as public schools, they should have the same accountability and requirements that public schools do.

“I am not necessarily worried about my career because all types of schools will need teachers, but education should be available for all, and public schools can provide that.”

Not everyone in the Education Department feels as easy going, however.

“As an education professor, I see the dismantling of the Department of Education not as a

symbolic gesture, but as a direct attack on the promise of equal opportunity in America,” says SAU education professor Dr. Edwin Ubeda.

“It is deeply troubling to witness the executive branch encroaching on constitutional boundaries to destroy the Department of Education. While such a move would technically require congressional approval, the threat is very real. 

“We see this defiance in federal judges’ orders. We’re not just imagining possibilities—we’re witnessing policy blueprints like Project 2025 quietly unfold, even as leaders denied their involvement during the political campaign.”

Dr. Ubeda tells us who he worries about most with this dismantling. “My concern is not for my career, but for the future of our country. 

“I worry for every educator who has dedicated their life to serving children, and for every student who relies on a public education to dream bigger and reach higher. That includes students in under-resourced rural towns, inner-city neighborhoods, and everywhere in between.”

Dr. Ubeda shares his opinions on a push to home and private schooling as well. 

“The movement to dismantle public education is not about improving outcomes—it’s

about removing protections, avoiding accountability, and weakening the collective voice of educators,” he says. 

“Teachers’ unions remain one of the last strong labor institutions in this country, and

undermining public education is the fastest way to erode their influence. 

“Promoting charter schools or homeschooling as a replacement for public education is deeply misleading. Not all children can access these alternatives, especially in rural areas where options are limited or nonexistent. 

“A lottery system is not a guarantee. We cannot build an equitable society on a system of chance. Instead of funneling resources away from public schools, we should be investing in every child’s right to a world-class education—regardless of their zip code.”

Policy Changes Could Hit Too Close to Home for St. Ambrose.

As a private school, it is fair to wonder how these national changes in policy could bring about change to St. Ambrose University. Dr. Ubeda gives us his insights of what he sees coming. He says, “The impact would be immediate and profound. At St. Ambrose, like at many institutions, federal student loans make higher education possible for a vast majority of our students. 

“Removing that support would make college unaffordable for many. Public schools would suffer even more. Title I funding, which supports low-income schools, special education, and rural districts, would be slashed or eliminated. 

“We see this happening in Iowa. That would mean fewer resources, larger class sizes, and more children falling through the cracks. We cannot allow that to happen.

“But I believe in the power of educators, students, and communities to rise up. We are not

powerless. The movement to protect public education is growing—and together, we can ensure

that our schools remain places of opportunity, hope, and dignity for all.”