A bit of institutional self-interest motivates campus leaders when they work to spend money with businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans and other underrepresented groups. In fact, the institution's own bottom line comes into play, says D.M. Hodnett, director of the University of Missouri System's Supplier Diversity and Small Business Development Program. "If we can't […]
American higher education is admired around the world, with its research universities leading the way in creating the breakthroughs that will lead to yet unimaginable futures, liberal arts colleges and state universities educating tomorrow's leaders, and its community colleges providing retraining for middle aged displaced workers. However, across the full spectrum of higher education institutions […]
All higher education institutions offer employee training and skill development in some form or another. Workshops. Webinars. Mentoring. Coaching. It's the same-old same-old—but does it have to be? Some schools have observed identical practices for decades. But others believe professional development must constantly evolve, just like employee skills do. They are finding new ways to […]
The use of race as a factor in a holistic admissions strategy has been upheld as constitutional by the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case of Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. UT Austin creates classes of students from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds by using race, and the state's […]
It is no coincidence that at a time of staggering family college debt burden, hands-on learning is experiencing a revival in schools, colleges, and universities across the Nation and around the world. Students and families perplexed and frustrated by the gainful employment vs. tuition gap are looking for more practical (maker) skills from their next […]
A recent survey of alumni of institutions confirmed what every university president knows: when asked who set them on a constructive path, at the top of the list are professors who made them excited about learning, professors who cared about them as persons, encouraged them, mentored them, and directed them in projects—what we call "high touch." […]
For a long time, the academy has faced questions about whether or not liberal arts and STEM could co-exist. The talking points haven't changed much – liberal arts colleges help students learn how to think and learn, while STEM institutions provide the highly technical education required. But today's colleges and universities are tasked with delivering […]
Over 16 years ago, the California State University system's 23 campuses had independently managed networks. Each had autonomy over standards and used a hodgepodge of products. But leaders in the Chancellor's Office knew a single setup across the board had potential to create a better experience for 450,000 students and over 45,000 staff members. "The […]
At one university, a garbage can blocked access to the paper towels, a table was placed in front of the automatic door button, students in wheelchairs couldn't access the accessible sink in a science lab because of a trash can's placement, and staff sometimes plowed snow into disabled parking spaces or access lanes. At another […]
ADA awareness training should be mandatory and ongoing across all departments. If students come to a staff member requesting an accommodation, they should be referred to the disabilities services office, which will help ensure consistency and fairness. Campuses see a range of disabilities that must be covered, from mental and emotional (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, […]
