Dartmouth College President Sian Leah Beilock has made multiple trips to Washington, D.C., this year as part of a wider effort by the College to protect federal research funding and financial aid during the second Trump administration, according to senior vice president for communications and government relations Justin Anderson.
Since January, Beilock has traveled to the capital eight times to meet with senators, members of Congress, and federal officials. Anderson described the visits as advocacy-focused, aimed at maintaining critical funding streams for the College’s students, faculty, and research programs.
In addition to presidential outreach, Dartmouth has taken public positions on broader national education issues. The College joined 16 other universities in June to file an amicus brief supporting Harvard University’s lawsuit opposing federal funding cuts. In October, the College declined to sign the Trump administration’s higher education compact, which had tied funding incentives to limits on international student enrollment.
Beilock’s efforts in Washington have not gone without criticism. In April, she was the only Ivy League president who did not sign a letter from the American Association of Colleges and Universities opposing federal funding reductions. Her decision prompted opposition from some students and faculty, including an open letter signed by over a third of faculty members. Beilock defended her stance by stating that “reflection does not mean capitulation.”
During her D.C. visits, Beilock met with federal officials including Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, a Dartmouth alumna. She also spoke with alumni serving in Congress, such as Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), and Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX).
Protecting research funding at the Geisel School of Medicine is a key priority, said Anderson. Dean of faculty research Dean Madden noted that the current administration introduced new grant-related restrictions and increased political oversight. According to Madden, these changes complicated the funding process and left researchers uncertain about compliance criteria.
In April and May, the federal government canceled four diversity, equity, and inclusion-related grants at Dartmouth. Madden said the College attempted to make up the shortfall but acknowledged that institutional funds could not fully replace the lost federal support.
Another significant policy issue for the College is the increased endowment tax. Enacted as part of July’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the new structure moved from a flat 1.4% rate to a tiered model based on endowment-per-student, raising Dartmouth’s rate to 4%. Anderson emphasized that the tax reduces available funding for financial aid and research initiatives.
International student support has also been a focus. Anderson said Dartmouth’s Office of General Counsel and Office of Visa and Immigration Services have worked to help students navigate visa challenges. After two graduate students had their visas revoked in April, the College took steps to appeal the decisions. Some students expressed fear about speaking publicly on political matters due to uncertainty about their immigration status.
Government professor and State Representative Russell Muirhead described the current landscape as challenging for higher education leadership. “We have government by presidential mood,” he said. “That makes it very hard for all institutions, companies, and universities to figure out what to do.” Still, Muirhead expressed confidence in Beilock’s approach, citing her judgment and diplomatic efforts.
As federal policies continue to shift, Dartmouth’s strategy appears to balance quiet engagement with targeted advocacy. College leaders have emphasized the importance of sustaining research and educational missions during a period of heightened political tension and regulatory change.
