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We work with university, industry, and government partners to assess transparency and rebuild trust in global higher education.

Who We Are

Our Mission

TrustED’s mission is to forge a global higher education ecosystem rooted in trust and dynamism, where institutions not only uphold but exceed their commitments to students and society, fostering collaboration, transparency and accountability across the sector.

How We Drive Our Mission

Collaborations with higher education leaders, institutions, policymakers, and students to build benchmarks for assessing global higher education transparency

Awareness-raising media engagements, publications, and events
Conduct research and innovative tools for solving transparency challenges
Shape policies for assessing and regulating transparency across the sector

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What We Do

Global Awareness and Engagement

Compelling narratives and insights that spotlight transparency challenges in global higher education, engaging stakeholders, policy makers, and the public.

Policy Research and Reform

Shaping institutional and governmental policies through cross-sector partnerships with universities, financial institutions, industry leaders, and government bodies.

Research and Innovation

Collaborative, data-driven research delivers incisive assessments and innovative solutions to enhance transparency and promote systemic change.

Networking and Collaborations

Connecting stakeholders and build dialogues, strategies partnerships, and initiatives that drive trust, transparency, and accountability across the sector.

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Our Advisors

TrustED's advisors are visionary leaders, distinguished educators,

and tireless student advocates.

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Dr. Laura Perna

TrustED Principal Advisor

Dr. Perna is GSE Centennial Presidential Professor of Education, Vice Provost for faculty, and Co-founder of the Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy (Penn AHEAD) at the University of Pennsylvania

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Dr. Sajay Samuel

Dr. Samuel is Clinical Professor of accounting and Director of the 1-Year MBA Program at the Smeal College of Business at Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Chell Roberts

Dr. Roberts is the Founding Dean of the Shiley-Marcus School of Engineering at the University of San Diego

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Dr. Cecilia Orphan

Dr. Orphan is Associate Professor in the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver. She is also Co-Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges (ARRC)

Dr. G.B. Singh

Dr. Singh is Academic Director of the MS in Engineering Management and Leadership Program at the University of San Diego, and Director of Business Management at Solar Turbines

Eldho Mathews

Eldho Mathews is the Program Officer (Internationalization of Higher Education) of the Kerala State Higher Education Council (India)

TrustED Blog

Reimagining our higher education ecosystem, one insight at a time.

University Rankings and the Fallacy of Quality

Yesterday's release of the 2026 US News & World Report college rankings brings with it the familiar ritual of institutional scorekeeping...

Sep 245 min read

Free Speech and the Transparency Imperative

As if American higher education hasn't weathered enough upheaval lately, universities across the country now face a kind of violence...

Sep 175 min read

Where Do We Go From Here? What Happens in a Government-Institution Trust Breakdown

The question isn't whether we're witnessing a global crisis of trust between governments and higher education institutions—we are. The...

Sep 24 min read

Cracking the Fourth Wall: Understanding Data-Sensitive Stakeholders

Higher education transparency unfolds along lines of tension—from histories of suspicion, institutional memory, and lived experience....

Aug 204 min read

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ShiftED Talks Podcast

In collaboration with GradRight, welcome to a series that brings together higher education leaders, experts, and students to navigate today's most pressing challenges affecting global higher education.

35:18

Equity, Impact, and the True Value of a 'Good' College with Dr. Cecilia Orphan | ShiftED Talks Ep 6

31:00

Past, Present, and Future of AI in Global Higher-Ed with Dr. Bobbi Kurshan | ShiftED Talks Episode 5

22:02

Using Student Feedback to Build Student Trust with Sabrina Brown | ShiftED Talks | Episode 4

32:06

International Higher Education Then and Now with Prof. Philip Altbach | ShiftED Talks | Episode 3

Join Us

partners@trust-education.org