WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama tested his persuasive powers Thursday, summoning university presidents to the White House to win their commitments to expanding access to higher education and to demonstrate a new determination to use his own presidential authority in the face of legislative roadblocks.

Obama called on an assembly of college and university presidents and leaders of nonprofit and other education groups to rally around a goal of widening opportunities for disadvantaged students.

“We still have a long way to go to unlock the doors of higher education to more Americans and especially lower-income Americans,” he said. “We’re going to have to make sure they’re ready to walk through those doors.”

The event, which attracted more than 100 leaders in higher education, underscored both the power of the presidency to convene influential figures to bring about change as well as the limitations of a second-term president trying to drive sweeping changes in the face of a divided Congress.

The program at the White House featured work sessions among White House and administration officials and educators.