At Antioch, we are doing our part to deliver the core promise of American higher education. Members of Congress and the Department of Education must return the favor.

There has been a flaring of tension on major U.S. college campuses in recent days, weeks after police moved to break up protests across the country, from New York to California, arresting more than 2,000 people.

By following specific and proven strategies, the nation's colleges and universities can reassure nervous students, families and policymakers and build pathways to completion of credentials of value that can lift up individuals and communities.

Higher education powerhouses abroad are slowly increasing their reputation as over two-thirds of American universities slipped, according to this year's international university ranking by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global education strategy group.