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