680. Can Universities Win Back Our Trust?

Dartmouth president Sian Beilock, a psychologist by training, made her name studying why people choke. Now she’s applying those insights to one of the most scrutinized jobs in America. No pressure! SOURCES: Sian Beilock , president of Dartmouth College. RESOURCES: " Growing share of Americans say the U.S. higher education system is headed in the wrong direction ," by Kim Parker (Pew Research Center, 2025). " Standardized Test Scores and Academic Performance at Ivy-Plus Colleges, " by John N. Friedman, Bruce Sacerdote, Douglas O. Staiger, and Michele Tine (NBER, 2025). " Americans’ Trust in One Another ," by Laura Silver, Scott Keeter, Stephanie Kramer, Jordan Lippert, Sofia Hernandez Ramones, Alan Cooperman, Chris Baronavski, and Bill Webster (Pew Research Center, 2025). Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To , by Sian Beilock (2011) EXTRAS: " Why Does Vanderbilt Keep Winning? " by Freakonomics Radio (2026). "' A Low Moment in Higher Education ,'" by Freakonomics Radio (2024). "' If We’re All in It for Ourselves, Who Are We?' " by Freakonomics Radio (2024). " Why We Choke Under Pressure (and How Not To) ," by Freakonomics Radio (2018). H…