Leadership in Higher Education: Emerging Paradigms in the New Millennium
Larry D. Roper
Oregon State University
Overview
A college education is more important today than ever before;
Need for a coordinated approach to meet changing economic demands and rising enrollment numbers and changing national needs;
Need for national leadership on this issue (in and outside higher ed. community
Access No notable progress since the early 1990s Projected college-ready population will
increasingly be from first generation, low income families with little or no experience in higher education.
There is an increasing need for outreach programs and college financial planning.
It is critical to support programs that facilitate early engagement with colleges and universities
Diversity politics will influence higher ed. access agenda - mission challenge
Affordability
Colleges and universities have become less affordable
Lack of grant funding to cover full financial need. Pell Grant award levels static for five years Increased reliance on loans and work to cover
costs Explosion of alternative loan borrowing to fill
remaining need
Funding Higher Education
A significant decrease in funding from government sources
Increased reliance on fund-raising Public-private partnerships (economic
development) Public partnerships (increase productions of
high-demand graduates)
Public Perception
Sticker shock, media attention on skyrocketing costs
Value of higher education clear, confusion on processes
Families unaware of financial aid or other funding mechanisms
Complexity of application discourages families from taking advantage of available assistance
Technology, Distant Students and On-Line Communities
Better understand the role technology plays in the lives of students
Understand the role of “virtual communities” and how those communities enhance or detract from a quality collegiate experience
Explore use of digital learning communities in ways that deepen the quality of the educational experience
Technology, Distant Students and On-Line Communities
Expectation of cutting edge technology in and outside the classroom
E-movement (Online courses, registration, financial aid, residential life issues, transactions) - e-mail, e-commerce and e-campus
Efficiency benefits of technology will soon be maximized
Learning Environments Increased demand for interdisciplinary
learning Distance learning utilized to increase
access and revenue Increased emphasis on assessment and
learning outcomes Shift to evidence-based, results-oriented
standards Academic Integrity challenges
Regulatory Issues
Cost Standards Greater government scrutiny Transfer of Credits Student Tracking Time to completion
Issues Alignment of coursework and assessments Accountability Growing consumerism Increasing economic impact Competition (for faculty, top students,
funding, status…) and survival Increased importance of community colleges Growth in proprietary education
Issues
Balancing dynamics of intellectualism, careerism and consumerism
Sustainability and environmental issues will increase in prominence – increased impact of “Green Industry”
Diversity
Hispanic population growth Increased bi-racial and multi-racial students Challenge to culture-specific support and
access programs Adult-student population International student access and tracking