Shannon Pesek’s Post

Great insights from David Rosowsky on the problem with the mission statements of many colleges and universities: “We have seen homogenization of missions. It’s become difficult to tell one institution’s mission from another, even across vastly different institutional types.” To avoid this trap, he proposes that mission statements need to better reflect institutional distinctiveness and that institutions should explain why their distinctiveness matters. #highered #mission #distinctiveness https://lnkd.in/eD8ZC2Qa

The damaging idea that universities and their faculty are indoctrinating students is overblown, says Lumina CEO Jamie Merisotis. Read more in his latest:

Why Penn State University? Penn State ranks No. 4 in the United States and No. 51 overall among the top international institutions assessed by the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings. These rankings aim to assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global goals adopted by all U.N. member states that look to improve life for all people and protect the planet. This ranking places Penn State in the top 2.6% of higher education institutions worldwide. "While universities across the world continue to increase their commitment to impact and sustainability, Penn State once again shows that it is a leading institution in this regard," said Sabine C. Klahr, interim vice provost for Penn State Global. https://lnkd.in/euFdCrt6 #WeAre #PennState Learn how you can partner with a top-tier University: https://lnkd.in/ek2-GyKi

~Invited panelists were limited to 200 words. A lot packed into this one from Scott Beaulier... "Inject business and economic basics into universities! Take tenure and promotion, for example. Even though faculty in their probationary period significantly outperform tenured faculty, the institution of tenure persists. The way we measure faculty output remains stuck in the Stone Ages, with the definition of “performance” focused on inputs like teaching two courses per semester, rather than regard for quality of instruction or extracurricular work by the professor, such as mentoring. The degrees being peddled at many institutions are failing to produce another forbidden business term—ROI—for the students we serve, and it’s easier for administrators to say “every degree matters” than come clean and say some disciplines yield good career outcomes and others don’t. Within Presidents’ offices of universities, General Counsel offices steeped in risk management and fear of litigation are running the show. Seldom are the risks presented in terms of probabilities, costs of abatement, and potential harm. Instead, almost every risk is one not to be taken, and universities unsurprisingly tend towards institutional and decision paralysis. It’s no mystery higher ed is strange to business folk: While universities will never be businesses, in modern times many have ceased to even behave businesslike."

How do we value public education programs? We are seeing environmental STEM programs cut in favor of programs with higher enrollment. But where do we place the value received from the program. Is it in the sheer dollar amount received by the University? I submit that a public institution should weigh the contributions of graduates to society. Programs that pump out graduates who maintain the status quo are dominating our education system. If we seek to move forward as a society, we have to incentivize new ideas and innovation. If we fail to do this, we risk intellectual regression and loss of the competitive edge.

🎓 A Higher Purpose: 10 Trailblazers Transforming Higher Education for Everyone 🚀 Great article by Deseret News in the comments. In a world where the essence of learning remains paramount, ten remarkable individuals are redefining the pathways to higher education, making it more accessible, affordable, and impactful. Inspired by the timeless wisdom of Benjamin Franklin, these pioneers recognize that while knowledge is a profound investment, its true value is unleashed only when it is accessible to all. 💡 Brian Ahston and the global reach of BYU-Pathway Worldwide are equalizing opportunities, bringing education to students globally, from Brazil to Uganda, and making dreams attainable for those in less privileged circumstances. 🎓 Linda Livingstone at Baylor University merges faith with academe, positioning Baylor as a beacon of Christian research excellence that enlightens minds and nourishes souls.   🌍 Mildred García, Ed.D. as the first Latina chancellor of the The California State University, mirrors the aspirations of her students, breaking barriers and championing the underrepresented to ensure their voices and dreams are recognized. ✨ Ted Mitchell advocates for the diversity of American higher education institutions through a revolutionary classification tool, encouraging universities to embrace their unique identities and strengths. 🚀 Elise Awwad's leadership at DeVry University focuses on empowering students with skills crucial for the future, ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-evolving job market. 🤝 Michael Crow has reimagined Arizona State University with a charter dedicated to serving the broader community, making higher education a cornerstone for societal advancement. 📘 Eric Hoover, through his journalism, champions the cause of students from varied backgrounds, ensuring that their struggles and aspirations are highlighted and addressed. 🌐 Eboo Patel promotes a vision of pluralism within campuses, where diversity is acknowledged, celebrated, and leveraged for social harmony and cooperation. 📚 Condoleezza Rice leverages her distinguished career to advocate for education as a democratizing force, empowering individuals regardless of their background. 📈 Scott Pulsipher at Western Governors University champions a competency-based learning model, fostering a more flexible, efficient, and relevant educational experience. These ten pioneers are not just shaping the future of higher education; they are ensuring it is rooted in inclusivity, innovation, and integrity. Their work reminds us that education's true value lies not only in enriching individual lives. but also in elevating society as a whole. #HigherEducation #Innovation #Accessibility #AffordableEducation #Leadership #ChangeMakers

The CHE conference over the past two days amplified the importance of institutional autonomy, public responsibility and academic freedom. Through critical debate, it was evident to me that corporatisation creep is fast rearing its head in academia and will have a noticeable impact on higher education. The time is NOW to steer the complex landscape of leadership in a historic colonial academic world; and that agenda is fast becoming an ever increasing priority. It's more explicit than ever that academic Senates change the way in which they pursue their institutional objectives to adopt a more forward thinking approach in addressing the challenges that face higher education today, working towards a better tomorrow.

Great piece highlighting the importance of Belmont University - Fast Forward and what we're trying to achieve https://lnkd.in/erxCsY6k

I love Laura and Kelly's book Broke: The Racial Consequences of Underfunding Public Universities. It stays on top of my bookshelf today. This book is a great resource for making the case to state legislatures about the decline of state funding over the past four decades at state universities for other priorities such as health care and prisons. It is essential to understand that education and healthcare are interconnected. Investing in education not only leads to positive outcomes for healthcare but also reduces the likelihood of recidivating by 43%. Furthermore, individuals who drop out of high school are 63% more likely to be incarcerated compared to their peers with four-year college degrees. So why not hit the gas and invest more in higher education and not less?

I have been working with Australian academics, leaders, and universities, and a lot of what people are saying points to a shift in the tectonic plates of higher education - and the impact may soon begin to show on the surface of everyday university life.   In recent years, many institutions have initiated widespread changes to their workload models which has seen teaching and administration duties increase for most academics, but is this the end of the changes? It could mean restructures for some faculties, however, many leaders suggest their universities are building up to a fundamental shift in how work is allocated.     We can debate the premise (and I’d love to, should we have a small conference?), but for better or for worse, in the current funding climate, university leaders say they need to consider business models and business plans, and this means staff are often seen as investments; and the safest investment is via staff who teach and complete administration roles, not through research allocations and positions which may (or may not) result in publications and grant capture.   If this is the current reality, as academics, we are probably limited in being able to change this trajectory in the near future. However, it is also important for us to be aware of the changing trends in higher education because as we move forward, being knowledgeable on what is happening will be key to academics playing a genuine part in how university policies are shaped.