Charlie Kirk and the Future of American Higher Education with guest Michael Poliakoff

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and what his murder might mean for the future of free expression in higher education. They interview ACTA President and CEO Michael Poliakoff about the perils we face and how we can all help de-escalate the tensions roiling America. Steve and Justin introduce ACTA’s new Virginia Report Card, a systematic analysis of policies and survey data on the free speech and intellectual diversity climates at George Mason University, James Madison University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Tech. You don’t want to miss these results! They also preview ACTA’s upcoming 30th anniversary celebration and announce their latest “Hero of the People” and “Apparatchik of the Month” awards.

Radio Free Campus is offered by the Campus Freedom Initiative™ at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. Email us at [e-mail]!

ACTA’s 30th Anniversary: https://www.goacta.org/event/anniversary/

Virginia Report Card: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/va-report-card/

Michael and Steve’s Statement on the Assassination of Charlie Kirk: https://www.goacta.org/2025/09/on-the-assassination-of-charlie-kirk/

Website: https://www.goacta.org/

Campus Freedom Initiative™: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/

Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire

Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/

Michael Poliakoff: https://www.goacta.org/staff/michael-b-poliakoff