Article by Kerry D. Fulcher Date Published: January 2, 2026 at 6:10 AM PST
The start of a new year invites reflection. It’s a natural moment to pause, look more closely at the world around us and ask what truly matters as we move forward.
In the Christian tradition, Epiphany — observed in early January — marks a season of revelation, a time associated with light and clarity. As the Gospel of John puts it, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Outside of the religious context, an epiphany is a moment of insight: seeing what has been present all along, but perhaps overlooked. In a world crowded with distraction and uncertainty, these moments are increasingly rare yet deeply needed.
For higher education, this is one of those moments. Across our region, people are navigating rising costs, political polarization, rapid technological change and a steady stream of headlines that make the future feel fragile. It’s no wonder that many feel increasingly weary and skeptical about institutions of all kinds. Yet it is precisely in these times that the role of higher education becomes more consequential.
At its best, higher education prepares students to engage the world thoughtfully and responsibly. In a moment where polarization often drowns out dialogue, San Diego and its surrounding communities need citizens who can navigate complexity without losing empathy, who can disagree without dehumanizing, and who are willing to hold tension without retreating from one another. These are not just intellectual capacities; they are moral and civil ones. In an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, human judgment — critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and discernment — matters more than ever. The strength of our region tomorrow depends on how well we cultivate those capacities today.
In a distracted and polarized environment, depth of thought does not happen by accident. Teaching students to slow down, ask better questions, listen carefully and consider perspectives beyond their own is not a luxury; it is a public good. Distraction and uncertainty make this work harder, but they do not make it optional. As the Letter of James in the New Testament reminds us, we are called upon to be “quick to listen, slow to speak,” a posture of humility and restraint that remains essential in public life today.
Hope grows when we choose understanding over assumption and engage in disagreement with curiosity, a spirit of learning, and the ability to make room for perspectives different from our own. That is what we strive to practice every day at Point Loma Nazarene University: creating spaces where questions are welcomed, dialogue is encouraged and learning is shaped by mutual respect.
These are not easy capacities to cultivate in a culture that often rewards speed over substance and certainty over curiosity. But they are essential for rebuilding trust, renewing civic life and equipping students to engage the world with both courage and humility.
At the same time, it’s worth acknowledging that universities are not always championed or celebrated for their depth these days. More often than not, the conversation centers on efficiency, outcomes and return on investment— important measures, but incomplete ones. Yes, higher education must continue to evolve and expand access, meeting students where they are and opening doors for learners of all backgrounds. But if education becomes only about optimization — about speed, credentials or convenience — something essential is lost.
Higher education should offer more than pathways to employment. It should prepare people to think carefully, act ethically, and contribute meaningfully to the places they call home. At Point Loma Nazarene University, we believe education should develop the whole person — intellect, character and purpose — through challenging academics, spiritual formation and service-centered learning. While the language we use to describe these commitments grows out of our faith tradition, the values themselves — human dignity, thoughtful inquiry and responsibility to others — are widely shared. In today’s civic life, those values are not optional; they are essential.
As we move into a new year, my hope for San Diego is simple and enduring: that higher education will continue to serve the common good — forming students not only for careers, but also for citizenship and modeling the kind of engagement our communities need.
That is a hope worth renewing — for our students, for our neighbors and for the region we are privileged to serve.
To read Dr. Kerry Fulcher's article published with the San Diego Union-Tribue, click here.