Those kids already know coming in that they will be subjected to a lot of partisan claptrap masquerading as actual content. They have far more ability to shape attitudes of average college students who are partially or wholly ignorant of basic civics and history.
Where they probably have the most effect is through grad students. Remember that so many of these people aren't even teaching undergrads in 100 and 200 level classes. They have grad assistants doing that at larger universities, which presents its own problems. Profs have large sway in directing the research of grad students and you wouldn't believe much of the "research" being conducted by grad students in the humanities and social sciences. From these ranks, we get the next generation of "scholars," who themselves help shape public policy. Think about most of the things you hate about our federal government and you can probably trace that policy back to an academic. Take "criminal justice reform," which, as we speak, is releasing sex offenders, spousal abusers and worse into society. Its origins are with "The New Jim Crow" and other tripe from academics in the social sciences.