Latest
Op-Ed
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July 24, 2026
The Future of Rural NC Won’t be Built by Degrees Alone
When people think of North Carolina, they often picture two places: the Research Triangle that encompasses Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill; or the booming skyline of Charlotte. But anyone who truly knows our state understands that North Carolina’s strength isn’t found only in its biggest cities. It lives in our small towns, farming communities, and rural counties where hard work and grit still define a person’s character.
Statement
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July 23, 2026
AFPI Applauds Department of Education’s Rollback of Disparate Impact Doctrine
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) released the following statement from Michael Shires, Ph.D., vice chair of Education Opportunity, in response to the Department of Education’s recent announcements addressing compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (CRA)
Op-Ed
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July 20, 2026
10 Years Ago, I Traded Honesty for a Degree
It was the morning after President Trump’s surprise victory in the 2016 election. Just before 8:00 a.m., I walked into the Brewster Building at East Carolina University to make copies for an exam I would be proctoring later that day. I was in my second year of graduate studies in American history, and after the previous night’s dramatic election results, I was curious to see how the campus was taking the news.
Commentary
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July 15, 2026
DEI has Devastated America’s Colleges and Universities
Just a few days ago, we celebrated America’s 250th birthday, and the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This proclamation launched America on a path to freedom, opportunity, and prosperity unrivaled in human history. The central premise of the Declaration of Independence is the notion that all men are created equal, and the pursuit of this ideal has fueled American success since the nation’s inception.
Statement
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July 14, 2026
AFPI Applauds Common-Sense Policies that Put Students Ahead of Bureaucracy
Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) released the following statement from Michael Shires, Ph.D., vice chair of Education Opportunity at AFPI, regarding policies that would return education to the states:
Experts on Post Secondary Education
Erika Donalds
Chair, Education Opportunity
Jay Menees, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Analyst, Higher Education and Economy & Trade Policy
Christopher Schorr, Ph.D.
Director, Higher Education Policy
Michael Shires, Ph.D.
Vice Chair of Education Opportunity Policy, Higher Education Policy, and Senior Policy Officer
Jovan Tripkovic
Analyst, Higher Education Policy
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