Credo Higher Education Consulting’s Post

Is a college degree worth it? 😞 55% of the conversation was negative 😐 38% was neutral 😀 7% was positive The public believes the purpose of higher ed is to gain value from the degree, and they're regularly questioning the value of post-secondary degrees, whether the outcomes are "worth it,” and what they gain. Our research explores more of the conversation and how leaders can rebuild trust. https://hubs.li/Q02tCyzR0

Tomorrow officially kicks off the Summer 2024 Unify Challenge College Bowl! Students from across the country will practice skills like active listening, perspective-taking, perspective-sharing, and critical thinking. What's on deck for these students, exactly? They'll each be paired virtually with someone from a different school, across political or geographical backgrounds for a guided conversation about hot-button issues in America. Last year, we partnered with the University of North Dakota to publish a case study showcasing the power of dialogue across different perspectives. Thanks to the proactive support from President Andrew Armacost and the efforts of Vice Provost Jeffrey Holm and Educational Opportunities Officer Casey Hoffman, UND faculty received stipends to integrate this into their curriculum. One UND student shared, "I was surprised that I could have a genuine conversation with someone from a completely different area. Even when we disagreed, we found common ground." This sentiment echoes the core of the Unify Challenge - fostering understanding and respect. Faculty from diverse fields, including social work, aviation, and political science, participated and proved that civic learning transcends disciplines. This is not just about dialogue. It's about transforming the way we approach diverse viewpoints and teaching our future leaders to disagree better. Curious to learn more? Check out https://ow.ly/3mN550SpBQu Read the full case study: https://ow.ly/OjyA50SpBQr #UNDproud #CivicEngagement #UnifyChallenge #CollegeBowl #HigherEd #Leadership #FutureLeaders #CivicLearning

Academic publishing for me has felt out of reach, intimidating and dare I say elitist BUT... When opportunity gifts you with supportive mentors and guides in the journey, Rob Filback, Ph.D. and Diane Hoppey, and you get to contribute to a case study that may be helpful to future institutions of learning, to future practitioners, to future educational leaders...it is worth venturing into the unknown and evolving my perceptions. #FirstTime #EducatorPrep #InternationalEducation

"We should be optimistic. We are having this conversation among educators, community leaders, employers, and civil society. It is a conversation about the competencies of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, creativity, and imagination. We need to think this way, and think about it together, if we are going to be able to tackle problems for which we don’t yet have solutions and anticipate a better future. Now is the time for step change requiring a global perspective and a strong sense of global responsibility." NCEE board of trustees co-chair, Anthony Mackay on how countries can learn from one another to improve professional learning, the educator workforce, and outcomes for students. https://lnkd.in/gTDMQRRM Learning Forward #LearningToLeading #FutureOfEd #GlobalEducation

📊 New Study Release! 📊 Danica Brown, PhD dives deep into the college-going culture in New Orleans high schools, revealing key insights for building supportive environments. From effective collaboration to structured resources, the study explores how schools can better prepare students for college success. 📚 Read more about the pathways to college readiness and equitable student support in our latest report: https://lnkd.in/g_bfeYdm

"Just because it worked today doesn't mean it's going to work tomorrow." (Dr. Emily Barnes) Joe Sallustio, EdD Kate Colbert and Elvin Freytes have put together an exceptional book that looks at higher Ed, from every perspective. They include interviews from 100+ leaders in higher Ed, so we get to hear real stories from the trenches. One of the more provocative chapters is called ,"Old School vs. New School," where they discuss what the school of the future looks like. Three especially valid observations from leaders: Dr. Emily Barnes notes that it's vital to realize what is essential and what can be removed, regardless of tradition, culture and the good ole days. Institutions will have to look deep inside to determine what is critical to keep. This encompasses the entire college experience. Dr. Stephen Spinelli(Babson College) reflects on curriculum. Letting your faculty help pave the way. Get them together to collaborate and you will see "..sparks fly..." Dr. Michael Cioce(Rowan College) says it's time to do away with the traditional college schedule with fall, spring, and summer sessions -- and instead let starting times be dynamic. There is a ton more in this chapter. Can't wait to get to it.

The University of California strives to be a leader in providing inclusive education that ensures success for all students. While UC has celebrated increasingly high graduation rates in recent years, gaps remain. For example, first-generation students at UC have a 6% lower graduation rate compared to their peers. To bridge the divide, it’s mission critical to lean on both data-driven techniques and personalized support. What we know about each student’s personal experiences and needs can help us better scale successful models. Let’s equip leadership, faculty, advisors, and coaches with data to better support students with greater context. Every student deserves to participate in a college culture where they feel a sense of belonging – and are given the best chance to succeed. The UC 2050 vision calls for a comprehensive approach that will not only improve individual outcomes but also the overall academic experience at UC. Learn more about our strategy for equitable student success: https://lnkd.in/gkGUe4rY Janet Reilly [Photo: University of California San Diego]

To understand systemness in higher education, we must first understand systems thinking, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of various components within a system. It encourages leaders to view the organization not as a collection of isolated parts but as an integrated whole where changes in one area can have far-reaching impacts across the entire system. This perspective is particularly useful in multi-campus systems, where each campus operates within its distinct context, yet must align with the overarching mission and strategic goals of the larger system. Below are some ways for leaders to consider how to implement systemness: *Resource Allocation: Distributing resources equitably across campuses with varying needs and priorities. *Coordination and Communication: Ensuring seamless communication and coordination among campuses to achieve system-wide coherence. *Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the distinct needs of students, faculty, and staff across different campuses. *Balancing Coordination and Diversification: Managing the tension between local campus autonomy and central oversight. *Cultural Integration: Fostering a unified system culture while respecting the unique identity of each campus. What are other ways you think about systemness as a leader?

Is college still the golden ticket to success? In our latest thought leadership blog post, we dive into the evolving debate about the value of a college degree, rising costs, and alternative pathways. Explore how today's young adults are navigating the challenging landscape of education, employment, and financial realities. Read more to understand the complexities and potential solutions. https://lnkd.in/gQCrwYwb

As I continue to reflect on my calling in higher education administration during this brief pause from doctoral studies, and the transition from a PhD to an EdD program, I am taking time to engage in leisure reading. It's refreshing to pick up an academic book on shared leadership, change, and academic success in higher education and read it purely for enjoyment. This isn't required reading for a course or program—just leisure reading to deepen my understanding of how to foster successful change in higher education. As I delve into “The Empowered University” by Hrabowski, President Emeritus of UMBC who transformed the institution into a powerhouse model for success, the following quote from the first chapter resonates immensely with me “It takes a community and its many stakeholders - including and especially our faculty and staff - to produce excellence at an institution like UMBC…We recognize that we can agree to disagree with civility by understanding that we share the same core values and then come together to support that which moves us forward. Within this collaborative culture we create the commitment and buy-in that lead to and support innovation.” The above quote powerfully captures the key ingredients for driving change: fostering a culture of success and embodying visionary, student-centered leadership. #HigherEducation #Leadership #EmpoweredUniversity #DrivingChange #StudentCentered #Success