A NABITA Tip of the Week by John Wesley Lowery, Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
As a longtime researcher and policy analyst in higher education, I’ve spent decades studying how federal law, regulation, and politics shape practice on the ground. In my keynote at the 2025 Joint ATIXA and NABITA Annual Conference, I’m not aiming to predict the future, but I do want to help all of us navigate it with more clarity, control, and confidence.
This year can only be described as chaotic. There’s a fast-moving, high-volume flood of federal action, with new regulations, court decisions, Executive Orders, and an unprecedented number of lawsuits. Each change demands our attention, and together they’re creating a climate of uncertainty and urgency for practitioners in higher education and K-12 alike. I hope to offer calm in the storm.
Understanding the Moment
The past few months alone have brought an avalanche of policy shifts and administrative directives, some legally binding and others more performative. For Title IX professionals, behavioral intervention teams, and civil rights staff, discerning which government guidance applies to their work has become a crucial aspect of their roles. I view it as my professional duty to help colleagues filter out the noise and focus on what truly matters.
I’ll be drawing on more than 35 years of experience in higher education, including my scholarly work on the Clery Act, Title IX, and other landmark legislation. For the last two and a half decades, I’ve also taught in colleges of education, working closely with K-12 colleagues. While my focus is rooted in higher education, I’ll frame the keynote with both systems in mind.
Theater or Threat? Knowing the Difference
A primary goal of the opening keynote is to help attendees distinguish between political theater and genuine policy shifts that warrant serious response.
When an administration announces plans to shut down the Department of Education without having the authority to do so, we shouldn’t panic. Still, we should understand the process and legal context. When guidance misinterprets or misrepresents the law, we must know how to identify it and explain it to others.
My keynote won’t just highlight what’s happened so far. It’ll also point to what’s likely coming next, and what we can do now to prepare.
Reclaiming Agency in Uncertain Times
This work can feel overwhelming. I know many of us are juggling multiple responsibilities and trying to make sense of change at a breakneck pace. We may feel a sense of despair or, at the very least, deep concern. But we’re not powerless. There are opportunities to respond individually and collectively that align with your institutional mission and values.
We’ll discuss how to:
- Identify which issues are urgent
- Stay informed without burning out
- Advocate effectively at both the personal and institutional levels
- Maintain values-driven practices, even when policies change
Why This Keynote, and Why Now
I’m honored to be part of NABITA and ATIXA’s opening session because this moment demands thoughtful, engaged, and realistic leadership. For those of us working in schools, districts, and campuses, we need more than just updates; we need frameworks that provide a solid foundation for effective implementation. We need reminders that some of what we’re seeing is familiar, even if it’s louder and faster than before.
I won’t have all the answers in October. But what I hope to offer is a sense of stability, some critical questions to ask, and practical tools to help you feel less alone and more prepared for what’s next.
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