An International Leader

Originally from the Bahamas, Dr. McPhee was curious and excited to travel and attend universities in the U.S. after completion of his elementary and secondary education. He pursued his bachelor’s degree at Prairie View A&M University in Texas and his master’s from the University of Miami in Florida. He also holds a doctorate degree in applied behavioral studies from Oklahoma State University. Since 2001, Dr. McPhee has resided in Tennessee and has been leading Middle Tennessee State University as its 10^th president. He has traveled to various places around the world to develop educational partnerships for the university. Dr. McPhee’s contributions have helped provide a bridge for university students to travel internationally and learn about other cultures and from universities and people in other countries.

A Foundation of Academic Excellence

Established at the geographic center of Tennessee in 1911, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) boasts a 110-year commitment to academic excellence and student success. The university was originally incorporated as a teacher-training institution and has grown to become a major comprehensive university.

The university has emerged as a national model for successfully retaining students after enrollment. In 2017, MTSU was one of the 45 American universities invited to join an initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help other institutions improve their student success. Moreover, its student success initiatives have been highlighted in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Chronicle of Higher Education, among other national media outlets.

MTSU endorses several nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The university is home to around 22,000 students who hail from different states and foreign countries and is regarded as the largest supplier of college-degreed workers in Middle Tennessee. It is also home to the most comprehensive center in support of student veterans and their families located on a college campus in the U.S.

Comprehensive Educational Plans

Launched in 2013, MTSU’s “Quest for Student Success” plan radically redefined the university’s approach to student attrition. Working collaboratively, the university has overhauled student advising, developed fresh options for academic help, and redesigned courses that are traditional stumbling blocks to graduation.

Using predictive analytics—an approach more commonly associated with health care than higher education—helps identify students who are at statistical risk of attrition even if they don’t fit into traditionally at-risk populations. The results of the Quest plan have been dramatic—it has become a standard of measurement of other initiatives.

Promoting Diversity on Campus

MTSU also boasts a diverse campus—with a minority student population of roughly 30%—and annually attracts several hundred international students from all over the world. Once a semester, Dr. McPhee visits the student leaders from a variety of minority student organizations in coordination with its Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs—an open forum where student leaders can freely express their concerns and needs.

MTSU’s Office of International Affairs provides hands-on support to the international student population through various means such as advising them on maintaining visa status, directing them to relevant student organizations, helping them find employment on campus, and many more. The university also endorses an International Ambassadors program in which international students who have been on campus for a year or more can mentor the new ones and help them get acclimated to the campus and community.

Recently, MTSU formed a Social Justice and Equality Task Force in the wake of the tremendous societal response to the George Floyd killing in Minnesota, including that of university students. Constituted of students, faculty, and staff, the task force is led by a faculty member of the university. Its purpose is to brainstorm and develop a series of recommendations on topics ranging from curriculum changes to faculty/staff retention and development to community engagement and campus climate.

Myriad of Extracurricular Opportunities

Dr. McPhee highly believes, “The formula for student success involves more than just ensuring students enroll, make it to class, fulfill course obligations, and get consistent and proper academic advising on their journey toward a degree.” He adds that college life is not confined to the concept of books and classrooms.

MTSU not only provides students with a myriad of opportunities to attend college but also engages their minds and spirits in an immersive experience by indulging in various fields of arts and research. Additionally, its extensive study abroad program offers academic and cultural enrichment opportunities for its students all over the world, from Europe to Asia to South America and elsewhere.

Campus Improvements and Service to Veterans

During Dr. McPhee’s tenure, MTSU has grown in size and structures, as well as in students. It now covers more than 1,250 acres, including the 500-acre main campus near downtown Murfreesboro, a horse science center, an agricultural research facility, and an aerospace campus at Murfreesboro’s municipal airport, and has added more than $1 billion in construction and renovations over the last two decades. Under his leadership, MTSU raised admission standards; increased enrollment of high-ability students; and added more than 40 degree programs, two colleges, and 20 institutes and centers.

One such center is the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, the largest academic support facility for military-connected students on any public university campus. McPhee helped secure the support of Charlie Daniels, the late country music icon known for his work on behalf of veterans, to create the center, which serves the more than 1,200 student veterans and military dependents attending MTSU. Dr. McPhee also hired a retired three-star Army general, Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, to advise and oversee MTSU’s veteran outreach.

Strategic Investments during Pandemic

Although classes at MTSU pivoted to virtual platforms during the onset of the pandemic, they were mostly hybrid in nature when resumed in the fall of 2020. To ensure effective delivery of the revamped curriculum, MTSU responded proactively and strategically to maintain its threshold for high-quality education. It deeply invested in audiovisual upgrades of classrooms to record meetings for both synchronous and asynchronous classes.

The university also invested heavily in other resources such as faculty laptops, online exam proctoring, and other software and equipment upgrades. It hosted numerous faculty training workshops to assist instructors with using new resources. As a result, this enabled the faculty to ensure that all students continued receiving equal high-quality education as they did prior to the pandemic. It also helped MTSU prepare itself for possible future crises.

A Promising Future

Presently, college students not only represent a more diverse socioeconomic and cultural cross-section of the greater population but also have more strategic and specific expectations of career opportunities that they can secure. Over the years, colleges and universities have responded by offering educational delivery methods strategically designed to address students’ personal circumstances and academic programs that fulfill students’ goals while meeting industry needs.COVID-19 and the resulting critical need to protect members of the campus community showed higher education institutions that they must be even more adaptive and nimble in designing flexible delivery methods. Dr. McPhee believes that 2020 revealed, “what we can achieve.” He adds that although the pandemic was challenging, the university persevered and excelled. Along with the faculty, students, and the staff working together to find creative solutions, MTSU embraced the challenges and charted new ways of propelling itself to reach its potential.

Read Full Magazine:- The 10 Most Influential Educational Leaders in USA, 2021

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For educators and future education leaders, it is crucial to understand the benchmarks for good leadership at educational institutions, and how it can be leveraged to implement meaningful changes. A persona of good leadership is portrayed by Dr. Evan D. Duff (President of North Wesleyan College), who has been fostering creativity and academic excellence at the college and contributing to its perpetual growth for over a decade.

A Virtuous Educational Leader

Dr. Duff embarked upon his educational leadership journey in 2003. After working for prolonged years in the business and industry domain, he shifted towards higher education and started working at a public community college and later with two private, faith-based institutions. Working at educational institutions helped Dr. Duff gain a unique perspective on the higher education needs of traditional and working adult students. He further earned academic degrees at the masters and doctoral level.

During his tenure at North Carolina Wesleyan College (NCWC), he fulfilled several high-executive roles such as Interim President, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Provost and Vice President of Adult Studies. Throughout these roles, he was responsible for various critical aspects such as leading the efforts to approve new majors, co-writing the College’s first graduate application to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools- Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC), and creating seven new offsite instructional locations.

He was also responsible for facilitating the development of partnerships with 20 two-year and four-year colleges, which led to partnership agreements between those colleges and NCWC. In 2020, Dr. Duff became the 8^th President of NCWC. Throughout his career, Dr. Duff has authored or co-authored various academic publications and presentations, and has been honored with numerous awards for his service to the College and the community.

An Avenue of Academic-Excellence

North Carolina Wesleyan College was officially chartered by the State of North Carolina in 1956. As a private four-year institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church, NCWC prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning, and responsible participation in their communities. Dr. Duff asserts that NCWC has achieved the original motives of its founders via its strategic academic curriculums and educational approaches.

NCWC offers an array of academic opportunities with a rigid curriculum structured to cater the educational needs of students. Its ‘Academic Support Services’ assists students in achieving overall academic success through various programs. These include Supplemental Instruction (S.I.), Peer & Professional Tutoring, and Online Tutoring. The S.I. aids students in selected courses by providing a trained peer leader to assist with the subject matter. Its leaders are sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have displayed competency in a particular subject.

NCWC’s first-year experience offers coursework and enhanced advising for all incoming freshman and transfer students. The ‘Student Success Center’ offers both individual and group assistance by trained Peer and/or Professional Tutors. Moreover, the College also offers tutoring as a free service to all students.

Building Connections via Extra-curricular Activities

Along with their innovative teaching approaches, NCWC also emphasizes promoting extra-curricular activities amongst the students. Its view on successful persistence rates equates to meaningful connections, both inside and outside the classrooms.

• Extracurricular activities serve as an instance of students’ ability to build connections with other students, faculty, and staff outside of the classroom.
• NCWC offers more than 30 student clubs, 15 varsity sports and multiple intramurals.
• Moreover, students can relax with friends at its Internet Cafe, Hartness Student Center, and Cyber Lounge or in one of many hammocks on the college campus.
• One of the largest student clubs and soon-to-be competitive teams of the College is the esports—Bishop Gaming Association.

Inculcating Latest Trends

Along with the faculty and instructional technologist, Dr. Duff and his leadership team are constantly comprehending the latest articles and best practices related to trends in higher education. Through this, they derive data required to make informed decisions on pedagogical techniques, technology, and the most effective use of that technology in the classroom. Through this, several initiatives related to gamification, virtual reality software and artificial intelligence programs are piloted, along with other creative techniques to enhance the learning outcomes of the students.

‘Unity in Diversity’

In the threshold of promoting diversity amidst the college campus, NCWC has incorporated various programs under the leadership of Dr. Duff. During the summer of 2020, he established a Presidential Advisory Council to support the inclusion initiatives implemented by the College during the fall. Comprised of diverse faculty, staff, and students, the council included guest speakers, a campus unity walk, and events—centered on bringing people together—and new coursework was developed on topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion.

NCWC is home to students hailing from over 35 different countries—asserting the importance of diversity and cultural awareness to the College. It organized a ‘Go Group’—a team of community volunteers helping develop a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere for the international students—which provides food, rides, gifts, and sometimes lodging during the holidays. Additionally, the team and director of International Student Services provide many services to the students and manage their non-immigrant status in and out of the classroom. This service is provided throughout the student’s college career and continues for three years after graduation.

Constructive Career Opportunities

NCWC’s career and leadership development office, which also houses internships, complements the academic programs of the College. Through the office, NCWC assists the students with professional development, while serving as a resource to the students, faculty, and the business community.

It also provides free access for all students and alumni to a resume-building program through the College Central Network (CCN) system, which endorses the availability of jobs. The College offers a yearly workshop series designed to assist students in preparing for internships and employment searches. Additionally, it offers career assessment services which provide tools to evaluate students’ personalities, interests, skills, and values, and then match the results to careers that are potentially suitable for them.

Embracing Transformations with Optimism

Over time, higher education has seen a monumental transformation with regards to technology, modes of delivery, and many more. The pandemic mandated fostering unique perspectives on education and accomplishing educational objectives in virtual settings. Although this has been the common practice for many institutions, incorporating virtual teaching in programs with advanced courses requiring face-to-face, hands-on approaches were difficult.

Dr. Duff mentions that in 2020 and 2021, higher education went through a year of transformation bringing forth learning outcomes that were much different than before the pandemic. He believes, “Faculty and students learned new ways to connect and digest course material. We also learned how to be more empathetic and creative to the challenges that are faced by many students from lower socio-economic areas.” NCWC’s faculty, staff, and administrators plan to execute their lessons experienced during the pandemic to provide effective and innovative services and meet the ever-evolving needs of the students. He adds, “I am optimistic about the future of higher education and how we can rise to the challenges that the last two years presented us.”

ALSO READ: The 10 Remarkable Education Leaders of November 2023

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Successful education leaders understand the importance of building community, empower teachers to cultivate leadership skills, and create collaborative, inclusive learning environments. Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr. (President of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University) is a dynamic leader who is at the forefront of modern leadership trends. Leveraging his vast experience in higher education, Dr. Hugine is contributing immensely towards the growth of the university.

Long Affiliation with Higher Education

Dr. Hugine graduated from South Carolina State University (SCSU), where he pursued a B.S. degree in mathematics, followed by a M.Ed. in mathematics education. He completed his doctorate in higher education/institutional research from the Michigan State University.

A feature of Dr. Hugine’s long affiliation with higher education was his tenure as president of his alma mater, South Carolina State University—where he attracted the first debate of the 2008 Democratic Party Presidential Candidate Debate Series, the first such event on a black college campus. Besides higher education, Dr. Hugine is also affiliated with numerous religious, civic, and professional organizations.

Dr. Hugine was appointed as the president of the historic 145-year-old Alabama A &M University on July 16, 2009. He secured a $96 million funding package at AAMU, a portion of which funded a 580-bed residence facility that opened in 2018. The last funding from HBCU Capital Access entailed $70 million to construct the University Event Center and to continue upgrades. As the president, he is at the forefront of the university’s operations.

Expanding the Educational Influence

Alabama A&M University is a historic, student-friendly, and community-focused institution of higher learning. It was founded by a former slave, Dr. William Hooper Councill, in 1875 to provide education to Americans who were allowed to be enslaved by the government and other institutions through the close of the Civil War. Reflecting on its heritage as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and as a traditional 1890 land-grant institution, AAMU functions as a teaching, research, and public service institution.

As an HBCU, AAMU has expanded its educational influence as the nation has slowly opened up to a more inclusive society overall. During the long decades of racial segregation, the professions in which African Americans could join and sustain themselves were limited, and school curricula at all levels reflected this in various degrees. Reflecting on his first 100 days as AAMU president, Dr. Hugine noted that it is precisely because of their effectiveness in educating African American men and women in particular that Hugine believes HBCUs are here to stay.  “There is a tremendous job for higher education institutions in this nation that is only achieved when individuals have options,” he explained.  “All institutions will have to provide for greater access.  HBCUs have to make sure that they have good programs and that all individuals have the ability to strive for success.  We are not here just to serve African Americans, but we exist for any person wanting to achieve and meet his or her goals.”

Strong Academic Curriculum

AAMU is committed to serving a diverse, 6,000-student population of students from around the world. As a collegiate university, it balances the personal attention of a small, traditional land-grant college with the academic vitalities and broad opportunities of a research university. The university provides scores of undergraduate, graduate, certificate programs, and concentrations through four colleges including,

1. College of Agricultural, Life, and Natural Sciences (CALNS)
2. College of Engineering, technology, and Physical Sciences (CETPS)
3. College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences (CEHBS)
4. College of Business and Public Affairs (CBPA)

The most successful graduates at AAMU are proud to cite the university as a major factor in preparing them for their achievements in life and in the workplace. Alongside academic programs, the university also remains the site of a Confucius Institute, which provides resources for students with an interest in the Chinese language and culture.

Additional Resources and Activities

Dr. Hugine states that at AAMU, students are provided additional resources through the Tutorial Assistance Network (TAN)—which coordinates and maintains free campus-wide tutorials, supplemental instruction, and structured learning assistance for undergraduates. The university also provides Career Development Services that offer a wide range of virtual programs including placement services, interviewing techniques, virtual career fairs, and numerous other activities.

Additionally, the university also embodies a Student Activities Office—through which students are exposed to a range of events and guest speakers for intellectual and cultural enrichment. Some of the renowned guest speakers invited by AAMU include Bakari Sellers, the daughters of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, David Banner, writer Terry McMillan, Roland Martin, Michael Vick, and several other personalities. “The university also arranges several traditional activities such as coronations, Homecoming activities, student-sponsored religious events, talent shows, fashion shows, etc.,” adds Dr. Hugine.

Developing High-demand Skills

Dr. Hugine further mentions that AAMU has significantly invested in developing its online presence and instructional modalities, aggressively providing training to faculty and staff so that education can continue in various forms. Moreover, the university has engaged in partnerships aimed at providing faculty and students with exposure to cutting-edge technology.

For instance, through AAMU’s collaboration with IBM, its faculty and students now have opportunities to earn badge certificates in key areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Internet of Things, Quantum Computing, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Design Thinking, and Blockchain. Dr. Hugine believes that the program delivers diverse and high-demand skillsets that align with industry needs and trends, so both students and faculty can develop the skills they need today for the jobs of tomorrow.

A Diverse Learning Experience Having successfully led AAMU for almost a decade, Dr. Hugine believes that students should seek a school that will encourage and support them academically, socially, and via a commitment to civic engagement. Talking about AAMU’s future plans, he adds that the university will approach 2021 and beyond even more prepared for the unknown than ever before. According toHugine, the plunge into online learning has made way for an institution that can offer educational attainment within a plethora of instructional modalities. “While these technological innovations will undoubtedly remain in place and become entrenched, a desire on part of students and perhaps some faculty to return to a traditional approach also will give rise to a diverse learning experience,” concludes Dr. Hugine.

Also Read: The 10 Inspiring Education Leaders, 2024” (August issue)

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Located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, Spalding University is one of the eminent universities in the region. Founded in 1814 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, it is a private university operated in the Catholic tradition with a commitment to compassion and a deep connection to the community. The Louisville campus of Spalding has been in downtown since 1920.

Throughout its history – and as the opening line of its mission statement reflects – Spalding has been “dedicated to meeting the needs of the times” through its people, programs and initiatives. It’s an institutional mission that inspires, 11^th-year President Tori Murden McClure.

“Meeting the needs of the times is a finish line that we will never cross,” McClure said. “But we will strive to do our best to meet the needs of our time.”

Early in her presidency, Spalding University was certified as the “World’s First Compassionate University.” She mentions that compassion has always been a hallmark of Spalding during a century in downtown Louisville. The alumni of Spalding—nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers—are compassionate in the true spirit of the word, doing the hard work to alleviate suffering and meet the needs of the time.

A President’s journey

Tori, who prefers students to call her by her first name, holds the unique distinction as a university president who is also one of her hometown’s sporting heroes.

“It would not be inaccurate to say that I reached the Presidency of Spalding University by rowboat,” asserts Tori, who has led a life driven by the pursuit of adventure and learning.

Tori is probably best-known as the first woman and first American to row a boat unassisted across the Atlantic Ocean, a feat she accomplished in 1999 in a self-built boat called the American Pearl. Tori credits Louisvillian Muhammad Ali, who was a mentor of hers while she was on the staff to develop a museum dedicated to the boxing and humanitarian legend, for convincing her to make the trans-Atlantic journey.

Ten years before her historic row, while a graduate student in divinity school at Harvard, Tori became the first woman and first American to ski to the geographic South Pole, as part of an expedition team.

Tori, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Smith College in Massachusetts, later ran a shelter for homeless women in Louisville. Moreover, her frustrations with public policy spurred her to go to law school, which she pursued at the University of Louisville. Tori mentions that the high point of her academic studies occurred at Spalding University—where she earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction. Spalding’s nationally-ranked MFA program helped Tori refine her memoir—A Pearl in the Storm—which balances her backcountry adventures with urban adventures and recounts her rowing of the Atlantic.

The book is the basis of the new stage musical Row, which premiered on Audible in April 2021 and will have live performances this summer at the acclaimed Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Smith College President Ruth Simmons and longtime Bryn Mawr College President Mary Patterson “Pat” McPherson convinced Tori to consider her current role at Spalding.

She was appointed the President in 2010 and has been an integral part of the growth of Spalding since then. The size of the campus has more than doubled under Tori, and new academic programs are added every year at the school that has an enrollment of about 1,700.

Academic and Support Services

According to Tori, if a university is going to admit a student and accept their tuition money, that institution has the responsibility to ensure that the student has the resources and support necessary to stay on track year over year to complete a degree. Spalding offers a range of academic and support services, including academic advising, a math lab, a writing center, a career development center, accessibility services, library services, and tech support.

Additionally, students at the university have the support of engaged and caring faculty.

“Our faculty meet students where they are, and if a student is willing to work hard and do their part, the faculty can move them a monumental distance forward in the direction of their dreams,” asserts Tori.

As Spalding offers excellent programs in clinical psychology and social work, it does not underestimate the effect of racial trauma and other factors on the mental health of its students. It also boasts a superb counseling center, staffed by leading experts.

A Plethora of Career Opportunities

Students at Spalding are exposed to a variety of experiential learning through internships and clinical, practicum and fieldwork placements. “You would be hard-pressed to find a school that does not have a Spalding graduate teaching and supporting placements for student teaching,” adds Tori. She estimated that every local hospital has clinical rotations for Spalding’s students in the health sciences, and every facility that provides mental health services depends on Spalding students or graduates.

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program has for four consecutive years matched 100 percent of its students with internships at sites accredited by the American Psychological Association—a key measure of the quality of a PsyD program. Additionally, graduate assistantships provide $450,000 per year for approximately 75 graduate students.

A Diverse Community of Learners

Spalding prides itself as a “diverse community of learners,” according to its mission statement.  As the most diverse private university in Kentucky, about half of Spalding students are Pell-eligible and about half of its undergraduates are first-generation. “As a new president, I inherited an all-white leadership team. All of the deans were white and all of our Programs chairs were white. Institutional leadership did not mirror our student body,” Tori said.

However, Spalding changed its institutional portrait through conscious effort. Today, twenty-five percent of its leadership team is Black. Two of five Deans are Black, and the university has stronger diversity in the ranks of its faculty program directors. Tori mentions that while diversity at Spalding goes well beyond the number of Black leaders in particular roles, the history of this region has been hardest on African-Americans. “The bell of freedom has not rung equally for all,” she said. “It is up to us to change the reach of freedom’s bell.”

Encouraging Extra-curricular Activities

Tori prefers to think of the word extracurricular as “extra curriculum” because being involved in organized groups, teams, and activities can be hugely valuable and educational to students. Spalding is the only member of NCAA Division III in Louisville, and it sponsors nearly 20 varsity sports. Tori was a Division III athlete herself in rowing and basketball and is a huge proponent of college and amateur athletics.

Tori was proud to serve a term through January 2021 as the Vice Chair of the NCAA Board of Governors, as well as the Chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council. She also served as the acting Chair of the Board of Governors for a couple of meetings. “I was proud to help tiny Spalding have a seat and a voice at that enormously influential table,” she affirms.

Making Education more Attainable

Tori mentions that the United States was once at the forefront of global education; however, the country has now become too self-satisfied and self-serving to continue to claim this distinction. “While we are improving our ability to bring high-quality education to students who were not raised in privilege, we are doing a poor job of making higher education affordable to those students,” she adds.

According to Tori, among the highest obligations of an educated person in a democracy is to become an engaged citizen. Some college graduates are so crippled by debt that they cannot devote themselves to the ideals of the nation or to the well-being of their communities. Their vision and reach are impaired by crushing financial burdens. Speaking of the pandemic situation, Tori asserts, “COVID-19 and the social unrest of the past year have led many of us to rededicate ourselves to the aspirational goals of higher education and finding ways to make education more attainable. We must educate great citizens who can close the gap between the promise of our nation and the performance of our nation.”

Embracing Technology

Tori believes that education is about great faculty, willing students, and the facilities and technology that bring faculty and students together. The COVID-19 pandemic presented every college and university with opportunities to embrace technology and make the most of digital and electronic content. “At Spalding, we do not suffer from the shadow sophistication that prides itself on clean hands. Our students use their heads, and most use their hands and their hearts,” comments Tori.

Tori adds that improvements in technology do not eliminate the importance of physical presence. “A radiologist might read your X-Ray in Mumbai,
she said, “but a nurse will be standing beside your bed with the bandages and antiseptic ready.” Spalding has outstanding technology with state-of-the-art nursing simulation labs and other amenities. It just broke ground on a multimillion-dollar renovation on the new home for a soon-to-launch physical therapy program. Tori, however, mentions that education is ultimately about talented and caring faculty—spending their time and their expertise with great students.

Choosing a College

According to Tori, one of the most important factors a student should consider while choosing a college is small classes because they allow a student to have reliable access to faculty who care about their success. “Another factor is what we once called ‘fit’. Students who come to Spalding have usually experienced the pain of our world and they want to learn how to change it,” she adds. She further mentions that students should be conscious of price and should apply to a range of schools and compare the full cost of attendance, including all the little fees.

Also Read: The 10 Inspiring Education Leaders, 2024

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The changing realities in education around the world require institutes and modern educators to be agile and adaptive. The 21^st century students want to learn at a pace that allows them to master new concepts and skills, access a variety of resources, receive timely feedback on their progress, and demonstrate their knowledge in multiple ways. As a result, the demand for student-centered education has been significantly rising in recent years.

There are several leaders in the educational landscape who are strong proponents of student-centered education. Dr. Vernell A. Bennett-Fairs is one such influential educational leader—who enjoys cultivating relationships and collaborations on and off-campus for student success. Widely recognized as a creative and innovative educator, Dr. Bennett-Fairs has been the face behind successful strategies and creative and innovative programs at various educational institutes.

A Decorated Career

Dr. Bennett-Fairs has spent her entire career, spanning 25 years, on a college or university campus. She is a trained vocalist and started her career as a Music Instructor. She advanced to the rank of tenured Associate Professor of Music before transitioning to various administrative senior roles in Academic and Student Affairs.

Dr. Bennett-Fairs worked at prestigious institutes such as Kentucky State University (KSU) and Delta State University (DSU) before being appointed as the 13^th President of LeMoyne Owen College on January 5, 2021. She is the second woman leading the only historically black college or university in Memphis, TN.

A Transformative Merger

LeMoyne College was established in 1862 by the American Missionary Association after the occupation of Memphis during the civil war as a school for freedmen and those escaping slavery. The College was named after Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne—a Pennsylvania doctor, philanthropist, and abolitionist. S.A. Owen Junior College was established in 1947 by the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Education Convention—named in honor of a distinguished religious and civic leader.

In 1968, the two colleges merged to become LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC). The College has a long history of producing notable trailblazers and leaders in education, civil rights, government, public policy, science, and business. As Memphis’ only historically black college, its goal is to continue cultivating well-rounded scholars who can compete globally and become successful leaders in their fields of choice.

The ‘Magic’ for Student Success

“The academic services at LeMoyne-Owen College are the magic for student success,” states Dr. Bennett-Fairs. She mentions that these services provide advice and guidance on academic requirements. They guide students in need of support by offering assistance with study skills and time management, as well as early intervention strategies. They also offer assistance with adjustment to college, contacts with tutors, and assists with referrals to other appropriate college resources.

Additionally, these academic services aid first-year students in exploring majors, providing career exploration tools, and making a successful transition to college life. They provide the knowledge of academic policies and procedures as well as the academic and social resources needed for success and engagement at the College. Dr. Bennett-Fairs believes that academic services are the limbs that facilitate successful first and final steps that lead to degree attainment.

Encouraging International Students

As a historically black college, LOC’s international population provides diversity and reciprocal learning opportunities for its international and domestic students. The College has earmarked scholarships for recruiting international students. It also has a student organization focusing on international student relations and needs, as well as making their transition to the college a seamless one. Dr. Bennett-Fairs mentions that LOC’s alumni base provides additional support to international students.

Focusing on Experiential Education

LOC participates in multiple consortiums in higher education and industry-based cohorts and translates that knowledge to the classroom through experiential learning models. The College also leverages its National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) designation from the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security to gain experiential knowledge and create new opportunities within its curriculum. “This helps students get exposure to tech job opportunities,” asserts Dr. Bennett-Fairs.

Lucrative Career Opportunities

The College provides a plethora of opportunities for students to help them secure a lucrative career. As part of the work-study program, it allows eligible undergraduate students to acquire valuable workplace skills and earn much-needed money by working part-time in on-campus positions. Moreover, students can participate in meaningful volunteer assignments that build skills, a professional network and provide exposure to career options.

Furthermore, each semester, LOC students enter the workforce through internships or temporary positions that offer the opportunity for career exploration or development. “These placements are structured, supervised, professional learning experiences that offer meaningful and practical work related to a student’s field of study or career interest,” adds Dr. Bennett-Fairs.

Besides these, the career services—supported by other LOC departments—act as a workforce development one-stop-shop that recruits and prepares students to enter the workforce. Career services also seek workforce partnerships that will result in job placement, mentoring, and networking opportunities for LOC’s students. Moreover, if students need additional training to prepare for specific placements, career services connect them to internal and external training.

A Holistic Experience

Dr. Bennett-Fairs believes that the postsecondary experience should be holistic for students, which includes how they socialize and engage outside the classroom. According to her, extracurricular activities such as civic engagement, athletic and artistic activities, Greek life, and campus life are very important aspects of students’ lives. These activities make students competitive in the workforce as it reflects their ability to multi-task, to engage others, and their civic conscience.

Coping with Transformations

According to Dr. Bennett-Fairs, the most transformational change in the education sector over the years has been the access to education. As an HBCU, LOC is amongst more than 100 institutions founded to provide access for African Americans to pursue a college degree. This gateway was critical for the College. Dr. Bennett-Fairs further mentions that technology too has transformed the way we educate, research, study, teach, and communicate.

Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced institutions to consider new modes of course delivery that turned out to be an effective way to engage and educate students while introducing some faculty technological advances that support the cyber classroom. “The pandemic also called for campuses to become creative when developing engagement activities for students,” adds Dr. Bennett-Fairs.

The Four ‘R’s

Dr. Bennett-Fairs asserts that 2021 will be the year that LOC reintroduces itself to its community, region, country, and around the world. With a prime focus on the four ‘R’s (Recruitment, Retention, Revenue, and Relationships)—the College aims to expand its program offerings and student support systems, build collaborations in its community in support of student success, and enlist the support of LOC’s alumni and friends to assist in advancing the institution.

“The development of pipelines for recruitment within our local schools and youth clubs will acclimate prospects to our campus and its offerings while allowing them to form relationships with students, faculty, and staff,” states Dr. Bennett-Fairs. She believes that intentional strategies and support systems will make accomplishing the four ‘R’s attainable.

The Ideal College

Choosing a college can be tricky for today’s students, given the availability of numerous options. Being in the education sector for more than two decades, Dr. Bennett-Fairs advises that students should choose an institute that offers their desired academic major and non-academic offerings that appeal to their interests and needs. Moreover, students should consider if they could be impactful and contributing to the institute.

Also Read: The 10 Inspiring Education Leaders, 2024

The post Dr. Vernell A. Bennett-Fairs: Cultivating Trailblazers with a Collaborative Approach appeared first on The Education Magazine.

Higher education has changed dramatically in the past decade. Some of this change has coincided with the changes in technology—other shifts are driven, by increasing workforce gaps. The demographics of the students have also shifted drastically. A significant amount of well-settled adults—with full-time jobs and families—are now opting for higher education. Dr. Jamel Santa Cruze Wright, the President of Eureka College understands the implications of these modern challenges in the education system. She has devised unique administrative and institutional methods to address the need of the hour.

Dr. Jamel was a first-generation student who studied Communication at Missouri Western State University and later went to the University of Kansas, where she obtained her master’s and Ph.D. in communication. She is a knowledgeable, financially astute, and highly collaborative higher education administrator. A respected and decorated visionary, educator, and transformative leader, Dr. Jamel possesses over two decades of experience as an academic advisor, administrator, and faculty member at reputable institutions, including Boston College, Saint Louis University, and the University of Kansas. She is also the first woman and African-American to lead the prestigious Eureka College in its history of more than 166 years.

“At Eureka, we are serving the needs of the students as well as the communities of today and tomorrow,” asserts Dr. Jamel.

A Distinguished Leader

After gaining experience as a professor, Dr. Jamel joined Eureka College in 2014 as a special assistant to the President. She subsequently served as the Vice President of Strategic & Diverse Initiatives before becoming President in 2016.

Dr. Jamel is a highly recognized professional and community member, both locally and nationally. An author, trainer, and consultant, she is also a recipient of the ‘2018 African American Hall of Fame Museum’ in Peoria, Illinois. She has received the ‘2019 Mayor’s Community Service Award’ from Peoria mayor, Jim Ardis. In 2019, she was awarded the ‘2019 Distinguished Alumni Award,’ by Missouri Western State University.

Jamel also serves on several boards, including the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges & Universities, Association of Colleges of Illinois, Carle BroMenn/Eureka Hospital, and Easterseals.

Dr. Jamel and her team have been successful in ensuring the financial health and stability of the college, evidenced by consistently meeting the Department of Education composite score and paying down nearly one-third of the college’s debt.

Honoring the Values of the Institution

Eureka College was chartered in 1855, by abolitionists in Illinois. The founders of the institution were committed to providing a broad liberal arts education to students. They believed in an education infused with values as the basis for leadership development. Dr. Jamel believes in the deeply rooted values of Eureka College and is dedicated to its future by developing an adaptive, innovative and entrepreneurial campus culture that cultivates transferable skills and confidence in the students while continually promoting the liberal arts and lifelong learning.

“Our focus is on sustainability, strategic partnerships and maintaining a distinctive higher education experience that is student-centered and accessible to diverse populations of students,” revealed Dr. Jamel.

As a result, 97% of Eureka College graduates are employed or continuing their education within 6 months of graduation.

Eureka College was the first institution in Illinois to educate women and men as equals at a time when few other colleges in the US had a co-education system. Gradually, Eureka became a recognized higher education institution, with its alumni occupying leadership positions in different fields and organizations nationwide. The college also has former US president, late Ronald Wilson Reagan, as an alumnus.

The “10 Essentials” Curriculum

The signature general education curriculum at the college is distinct because it allows students the flexibility to customize their educational experiences, foster richer classroom discussions, and provides hands-on experience that enhances the value of the education received. Eureka College has methodically devised a curriculum that is designed to inculcate 10 essential lifelong and transferable skills that the students need and employers want, including–intellect, communication skills, aesthetic awareness, cultural awareness, understanding of the natural environment, health and physical fitness, greater social awareness, and a sense of personal responsibility, values, and leadership.

Embracing Diversity

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of Eureka College’s founding and an integral part of its core values and campus sustainability efforts. An example is Intergroup Dialogue, which blends theory and experiential learning to facilitate student learning about social group identity, social inequality, and intergroup relations. The program prepares students to live and work in a diverse world and educates them in making choices that advance equity, justice, and peace.

“Some of our efforts include identifying an inclusive excellence director, creating programs that expose the campus community to different lived experiences and practices, and continuing to commit to ongoing education on diverse issues,” mentioned Dr. Jamel.

Dedicated to a Holistic Approach

Dr. Jamel believes in the holistic development of the students. She says, “Co- and extracurricular activities provide students an opportunity to explore, experience, and reinforce the learned lessons to the real world.”

Eureka College has over 30 clubs and organizations, which allows every student to find their passion and unique niche. The college has a rich athletic tradition with 12 NCAA Division III athletic programs—which include football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, golf, and cross country.

Encountering COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, the higher education sector had to undergo several dramatic changes and challenges, including remote learning, declining enrollments, financial distress, strict campus protocols, lack of in-person interaction and events. But one of the most significant effects of the pandemic is the acceleration of several previously foreseen changes. Given the many challenges, Dr. Jamel said, the business model associated with higher education must undergo a complete transformation. Colleges must use radical imagination to ensure the positive disruptive change needed to survive and thrive.

She mentioned that the way Eureka College has navigated the pandemic has shown the nimbleness and resilience of the college and the importance of its sustainable practices.

Adapting to the Digital Norm

Technology represents one of the most significant changes in higher education. Jamel says that the cost of higher education has increased, in part, in order to meet the expectations of technological advancements. Institutions like Eureka College have invested in the enhancement of its campus technological capabilities.

When the pandemic began, EC provided an AI Chatbot that helps the students access institutional resources and convey challenges. The Chatbot is used to monitor the performance of the students—both mentally and academically. It also has the capability to guide the students through the campus–meet faculty and locate different offices for support. Most of Eureka College’s students engaged with the Chatbot throughout the pandemic.

Stepping Into the Future

Based on the latest state and CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19, classes at Eureka College are, once again, set to commence on-campus in the fall 2021. As the vaccines are becoming readily available and COVID-19 positivity is declining, EC is hopeful and optimistic. “We are looking forward to being able to host more in-person events with more guests in attendance,” said Dr. Jamel.

Under the guidance of President Jamel Wright, Eureka College is strategically prepared to face the modern challenges of higher education, and is positioned for future growth and success as an institution. Eureka College is set to launch several new initiatives and programs, along with renovation projects, in the near future.

ALSO READ: The 10 Influential Education Leaders, 2023

The post Dr. Jamel Wright: A Prominent Educational Leader of Tomorrow appeared first on The Education Magazine.

The entire education system has undergone numerous transformations over the years. In recent years, we have come to learn that teaching and learning are distinct but inseparable components of education. The modern educator must use inquiry, experiential learning, and technology to create an environment that engages students in a learning process. We have also gained a better understanding of individualized learning and flexibility in teaching methods according to the students’ backgrounds and learning styles.

Talking about the changing education landscape around the world, James Gaudino (President of Central Washington University) states, “We are rediscovering old lessons while also adapting them to an environment of ubiquitous connectivity, smartphones, and social media. The pandemic has further accelerated our adaption to and adoption of these technologies.” Gaudino is a seasoned educator with extensive experience. He has been an integral part of CWU’s success as one of the preeminent universities in the region.

An Illustrious Career

Gaudino is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and served in the U.S. Air Force in California, Turkey, and Germany. He pursued a Ph.D. in Communication from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Management from Troy State University. His prominent interests include public relations and public opinion formation.

In his eminent career, Gaudino has worked with several renowned educational institutions. He was the Executive Director of the National Communication Association. He also served on the faculty of Michigan State University’s Department of Advertising before joining Kent State University. At Kent State University, he founded the College of Communication and Information and guided its development into a center of innovation in the study of the new information age. Gaudino was appointed the President of CWU in 2009 and has taken the university to new heights during his tenure.

A Leader in Teacher Education

Central Washington University (CWU) was founded in 1891 as the Washington State Normal School. It was known as the Central Washington College of Education from 1937-1961, then Central Washington State College from 1961-1977. It has been CWU since 1977. Initially established as a teachers’ training institution, CWU’s mission has expanded over the years as it has transformed into a comprehensive four-year public university. Central’s role as a leader in teacher education has remained consistent as the university is now recognized for providing one of the largest and most prestigious teacher education programs in the west.

The Facilities Plan

When Gaudino first arrived at CWU 12 years ago, he committed to a facilities plan that would give students the best learning environment. “We ensured that by building new instructional facilities and renovating existing ones. Our students now have the opportunities to discover new stars in a research quality planetarium and study sound in an anechoic chamber,” adds Gaudino.

The students can conduct study security structures in a cyber warfare lab and investigate 3D systems in virtual reality labs. A new health sciences building—which opens in January 2022—will boast state-of-the-art 3D anatomy tables and virtual reality tools.

Competitive Environment

“I believe that competition is more than a desire to win. It is a drive to improve, and the act of competing is simply a measure of that effort,” asserts Gaudino. According to him, education is all about seeking improvement. Offering students an opportunity to compete motivates them to improve and allows them to evaluate their progress.

CWU encourages students to test themselves by entering regional, national, and international competitions in diverse fields such as music performance, math modeling, construction management, and business planning. During his 12 years as President, Gaudino has seen many teams return with honors, only to ask for an opportunity to improve their performance in the coming competition year. “That spirit of continuous improvement is why our recent re-accreditation report described CWU as an excellent university that is on the cusp of greatness. We now strive for that goal,” Gaudino continues.

Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity

CWU takes pride in providing opportunities to talented students from a variety of backgrounds and abilities to pay. Diversity, equity, and inclusivity have been the top priorities during Gaudino’s tenure. About 40 percent of CWU’s students are traditionally underserved students or students of color, thus the university ensures to provide them a welcoming and accepting environment.

As majority of its students are first-generation college students, CWU has programs that provide ongoing assistance to them, such as its First-Year Experience, Sophomore Year Experience, and other enrichment initiatives. The Office of International Studies and Programs (OISP) also offers a wide variety of programs and support services for international students, education abroad participants, exchange scholars, and academic departments.

Career and Academic Services

The university is committed to providing its students with the career and academic services including peer tutoring, career counseling, and study skill workshops, that they need to succeed. “Our academic majors help students with educational policies, transfer credits, apply to a major, and other essential information about degree programs,” adds Gaudino. The career services assist students with exploring options for internships, job searches, career choices, and networking opportunities.

CWU’s Department of Career Services offers career counseling and professional development opportunities to all current and transfer students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The career services sponsor career, internship, and graduate school fairs throughout the year and career counselors, workshops, and a professional clothing closet—offering free interview-appropriate clothing to students in need of professional attire. The Career Services staff at CWU also assists students in job searching techniques, resume and cover letter writing, and interviewing.

Why CWU?

The number of educational institutions emerging has been increasing in recent years. Students today have numerous options while choosing the educational institute. Thus, choosing a college/university is vital for students. According to Gaudino, there are several prominent reasons a student should choose CWU. The university has a welcoming environment for the students, faculty, and staff. “We have a saying at Central—you belong—and it is how we want our student, faculty, staff, and parents to feel about the university,” says Gaudino.

Furthermore, CWU is known for embracing diversity. As one of the most diverse and inclusive universities in the state, it has been awarded the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award in six of the past seven years. Alongside diversity, affordability is one of the most important factors students consider before choosing a university. CWU has been consistently ranked as one of the most affordable public universities in Washington State.

The year 2020 brought numerous changes to the ways CWU operated. Its expectations from 2021 and beyond include returning to in-person instruction and in-person university operations in the fall. “Of course, being able to do that will depend on the recommendations of our local and state health professionals,” concludes Gaudino.

ALSO READ: The 10 Remarkable Education Leaders of December 2023

The post James Gaudino: A Seasoned Educator Preparing Students for Enlightened, Responsible, and Productive Lives appeared first on The Education Magazine.

Educational institutions today operate in complex environments. Thus, for education leaders to complete their mission of educating students, they must be able to lead more than just a classroom lesson. Today’s educators must develop the leadership skills to direct organizational change, craft cooperative agreements with other stakeholders, and navigate challenges at the school, local, state, and federal levels.

Ticking all these boxes of a successful 21^st-century educational leader, Dr. Bradford Sims (President of Capitol Technology University) is immensely contributing to the success of the university. An agile and multi-dimensional leader, Dr. Sims is recognized for making a measurable contribution through innovative thinking and successful education. Courtesy of his invaluable contributions to higher education, he is known as one of the most influential educational leaders in the United States.

Construction Management to Higher Education

Dr. Sims completed a bachelor’s in construction management from Purdue University and moved around the U.S. building industrial facilities. At that point, he never thought he would go for an advanced degree or work in higher education. After several years in the industry, he finally decided to pursue a master’s in construction management at the University of Florida.

While there, Purdue asked him to return as a graduate instructor while providing a paid doctorate. After completing the doctorate, several universities invited Dr. Sims to interview for Assistant Professor Positions, so he changed his focus to higher education. He worked at several universities building programs and advancing his administrative career path, leading him to become the President of Capitol Technology University (Capitol Tech).

The History of Capitol Tech

Capitol Technology University was founded in Washington D.C. as the Capitol Radio Engineering Institute (CREI) in 1927 by Eugene H. Rietzke, a Navy veteran and radio operator who saw the need for an advanced school for radio and electronics technicians. CREI began as a correspondence school, however, its popularity led to a 1932 opening of a residence division, allowing students to work hands-on in laboratories. Following World War II, CREI became one of the first three technical institutes accredited by the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development.

The university has been continuously providing students access to careers and career advancements in desired STEM fields by offering hands-on undergraduate and graduate degrees. In a report released by Georgetown University ranking 4500 colleges on return on investment, Capitol was ranked 213 with a 20-year NPV; 141 after a 30-year NPV; and 120 over a 40-year lifetime of work.

Comprehensive Student Support Programs

As a small university, Capitol Tech offers comprehensive support programs to students who are never just a number for faculty and staff. Students have access to numerous academic services including tutoring, career counseling, internship placement, writing and interview training, and resume& skills workshops.

The Career Service Department at Capitol Tech offers a full-service Career Center with Staff dedicated to helping students find internships and full-time jobs and hosts a comprehensive Career Conference twice a year. During the conference, students attend presentations and workshops from industry leaders focused on resume writing, job search, online application, and interviewing techniques. Each Career Conference includes an employer fare during which employers seeking to hire graduates are connected with students seeking internships.

“As many of our graduates pursue work with government agencies and contractors requiring security clearances, we also provide training on completing the security clearance process paperwork,” asserts Dr. Sims.

He adds that the university also offers undergraduate students with the “Capital Commitment” which specifies that students who do not receive a job within 90 days of graduation can receive up to 36 additional graduate credits—tuition free—while they continue their job search with assistance from the university’s career services department.

Extra-curricular Opportunities

Capitol Tech sponsors and hosts a plethora of student groups with academic interests incorporated such as the cyber battle team and robotics team, which allow students to apply their learned knowledge, participate in national competitions and collaborate on presentations with peers and faculty in a professional environment.

“For instance, at the 2017 Grass Hopper conference, Capitol Tech student Zalika Dixon won third place in the Microsoft sponsored ACM Student Research Competition for her project on UV radiation monitoring which she worked on under the supervision of a Capitol Tech professor,” adds Dr. Sims.

Capitol Tech’s students also had the opportunity to build CACTUS-1, a CubeSat that was launched in January 2021 for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) program. CACTUS-1 student contributors worked on a multidisciplinary team resembling those they would find in the workforce, worked within the strict project requirements, and practiced real-time problem-solving.

Promoting and Celebrating Diversity

“Our institution prides itself on promoting and celebrating diversity in our community,” says Dr. Sims. In Fall 2020, the campus’ total ethnic and racial minority population was 48%, and 56.8% when including females in STEM as an underserved population. Capitol Tech’s undergraduate population consisted of nearly 50% minority students; was over a fifth female in Fall 2019;, and in Fall 2020, over half were Pell Grant eligible with two-thirds receiving some kind of federal aid. On average, Master’s students were 33 years old, 50% minority, and 29% female, and doctoral students were 46 years old, 46% minority, and 29% female in 2019.

To support its diverse population in their academic and extracurricular interests, the university established student groups focused on specific populations such as the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Society of Woman Engineers (CWE), and Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys). The university actively recruits from spaces with a diverse population such as the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing conference.

Keeping up with the Trends

During the 1990s, US universities began to prioritize research taking focus from applied technical programs. However, after the 2008 recession, students began to focus more on the return on investment of their degree. “Now, COVID-19 has caused another shift in higher education by accelerating the shift to online learning when universities were suddenly required to offer many traditional degrees either completely online or in a hybrid model while simultaneously maintaining quality offerings,” comments Dr. Sims.

He adds that being a technology university with established online and on-campus courses, Capitol Tech continually evaluates the available synchronous and asynchronous tools to provide students the best educational experience. “We also have access to adjuncts who are working daily in technical areas and bring their expertise to the classroom to the benefit of our students,” he continues. While the economic impacts of Fall 2021 are concerning for everyone, the university is confident in its ability to persevere and succeed.

Seeking the Best

Dr. Sims believes that when considering options for choosing a college, students should always check to see if the university’s degree options lead to a stable career that can provide for themselves and their families. Moreover, students should also consider if the university promotes and provides networking opportunities both on campus and across the industries they are working in. He adds that students should take into account if an institution’s academics promote teamwork, collaborating, risk-taking, and problem-solving while integrating presentation skills to help students prepare for their future careers.

ALSO READ: The 10 Influential Education Leaders, 2023

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A Proficient Career

Having earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in Higher Education Administration, Roger has completed 33 years working as a university president. He was first elected to presidency at the age of 34 – as the President of Sterling College in Kanas – and was one of America’s youngest college presidents. He has also served the broader Church as a member of the Board of Mission America, a coalition of 100 denominations and 750 service ministries who have joined together for cooperative evangelism in America.

Roger has served for a quarter-century on the Executive Committee of the Lausanne Movement and was the chairman of the 2004 Forum for World Evangelization in Thailand. Besides this, Roger has also served on the boards of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics, and over a dozen local and regional boards of ministries and non-profit organizations. He has also served as the consultant for leaders and boards of nearly 100 different ministries and denominations.

“To serve, not to be served”

Roger joined Belhaven University in 1995. During his tenure at Belhaven, he has led the university to complete 25 new constructions or significant renovation projects. Today, Belhaven University is one of the fastest-growing and innovative colleges in the region–transforming from a small women’s college into a dynamic coeducational university of 5000 students.

The university offers undergraduate degrees in 75 areas of study, 20 master’s level degrees, and doctoral programs in business and education. It is renowned as a leading Christian College in Arts, as one of only 33 schools in the world earning accreditation in all four primary arts—theater, music, visual art, and dance. Alongside these, Belhaven also offers additional arts majors including creative writing, graphic design, arts administration, and film production.

Additionally, Belhaven offers an MBA in China, which is taught in both English and Mandarin. It also provides distance-based graduate programs for international students working in the United States. Every academic program offered by the university offers a thoughtful, loving, and biblically-based Christian worldview–to inform the thinking, strengthen the faith, empower the calling, and motivate the service. “Belhaven University has sought to fulfill the mission expressed in its motto–‘to serve, not to be served,’–since its inception,” says Roger.

Advancing with the Technology

Roger believes it has become easier for universities to become technologically updated as most students come to the college with their own computers and technology skills. “As a university, we can focus on the cutting-edge software that enhances teaching and learning–and we have it all,” he adds. At Belhaven University, campus-smart classrooms, advanced learning laboratories, and blazing fast wireless internet enhance the students’ academic experience. Moreover, students have an opportunity to study in Mississippi’s dynamic state capital, famous for its literature, art, sports, music, cuisine, medical research, media, and business opportunities.

Diversity and Compatibility

Belhaven is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse private colleges in the Southeastern region. Its international center brings students from around the world. All the international students are matched with an American host family. While living in Belhaven’s residence halls and studying on its campus, students can connect with their host family, giving them an added experience in America.

Roger adds that competitive pricing, substantial scholarships, and innovative degree design with accommodating scheduling offered by the university ensures that students graduate in four years with top-quality, private Christ-centered education at public university prices. Faculty, coaches, and staff at Belhaven support each student’s unique learning style, needs, and passions with mentoring relationships categorized by compassion, encouragement, understanding, and respect.

Empowering the Students

Under Roger’s auspices, Belhaven helps students to be industry-ready and build a strong resume to thrive in the rigorous job market. “We begin career preparation for students during their freshman year. We want students to use their God-given gifts to secure a good career,” says Roger. He further mentions that the university is focusing activities toward building a career resume at each step and through each student’s academic path.

Alongside providing career guidance, Belhaven ensures students are known, cared for, and cherished. “We are a campus where students feel a sense of belonging and support from the other students, staff, and faculty,” adds Roger. The university offers a wide gambit of student activities for residential students. Moreover, since it is located in Mississippi’s state capital, students get the opportunity to live in a city with exciting events and activities.

Furthermore, two years ago, Belhaven launched ‘fifth-year-tuition-free’ for double majors. Roger is convinced that students need a broader education to be equipped for the marketplace of the future. If students want to pursue a double major and that additional course work pushes them into the fifth year, the university does not charge them any tuition fee for that year.

Developing Creative Solutions

The COVID-19 pandemic forced numerous changes in the education industry. Roger believes that the core needs of students have not changed, however, how students learn, connect, and envision the future has drastically altered. Belhaven’s priority has always been to build programs and learning experiences around students, rather than forcing them into learning assumptions from the past.

The pandemic pushed Belhaven to develop creative solutions that bring hope during difficult times. Having learned the importance of virtual classrooms during the pandemic, this fall, the university offered each of its campus students a free online Master’s degree if they remain continuously enrolled through graduation. It is extending this offer for students coming in the fall of 2021 as well.

The Bright Future

Roger believes that 2021 is going to be a year for universities to ‘bounce back’. However, as several schools were facing financial difficulty before the pandemic, Roger expects 20% of colleges to close in the coming years after the termination of the government’s pandemic funding. Belhaven University, on the other hand, is currently in the strongest position in its long history. “The future is exceptionally bright and we look forward to a normal year. We welcome students to our charming campus, where they will be loved, challenged, and prepared,” concludes Roger.

Read Full Post: The 10 Most Visionary Education Leaders Of 2021

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Practicing Attorney to President

After completing her graduation from the Syracuse University’s College of Law, Joanie worked as a practicing attorney for several years. Later, she switched careers to become the County Executive of Onondaga County in New York. She became the first woman to hold and be elected to that position.

Inaugurated as Executive in 2008, Joanie was re-elected in 2012 and 2016. After serving for 11 years in the role, she stepped aside to take a role in higher education and joined SUNY ESF in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer. In November 2020, she was appointed as the President of the institute and has been one of the integral members of the SUNY ESF since then.

Catering to the Environmental Need

In the early years of the 20^th century, New York’s forests had been decimated by people who were unaware of the time it would take for forests to repopulate. Thus, understanding that the wood products industry was important to the State’s economy and a growing interest towards sustainability, a movement began that resulted in the State’s first college focused on forestry located at Cornell University. However, the college closed its doors in 1903.

In 1907, William Bray began teaching Forestry and Botany courses at Syracuse University. Later in 1911, the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University was established and operated till the late 1940’s—when the college became a member of the newly formed State University of New York system. Shortly after, the faculty recognized the need to educate people about the environment and expanded the curriculum—before renaming the college to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 1972.

Student-focused Programs and Services

SUNY ESF is on a mission to advance the knowledge and skills and to promote the leadership necessary for the stewardship of both the natural and designed environments. As the only college in New York State dedicated exclusively to the environment, it provides 27 undergraduate and 54 graduate programs to 1800 undergraduate and 400 graduate students respectively.

In addition to the academic programs, the college provides numerous student-focused services. The Division of Student Affairs at SUNY ESF consists of academic support services, career services, student support, student conduct, diversity and inclusion, community service, student involvement and leadership, and student support, including the oversight for the college’s food pantry as well. “The Division collaborates with the Syracuse University’s Office of Disability Services to provide students with necessary accommodations,” says Joanie.

Joanie adds that the staffs in these offices work in partnership and collaboration with faculty, community partners, and students to create and facilitate opportunities—that promote student learning, advance students’ success, and ensure that learning happens inside and outside the classroom. ESF is dedicated to helping students achieve academically, get involved, contribute to the community, launch their careers, and have the basic principles and foundations for living a quality life.

The Unique Partnership

Joanie further mentions that ESF has men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic teams and clubs on its campus. Additionally, the college has developed a unique partnership with Syracuse University through which ESF students are invited to use and participate in curricular and extra-curricular opportunities provided by Syracuse University.

This partnership provides ESF students with access to more than 350 extracurricular clubs or activities at Syracuse University, including the marching band, drama and musical groups, sports clubs, and Greek life. It also gives students access to multiple dining halls, intramurals and fitness centers, world-class libraries, and coursework in subject areas that complement ESF’s laser-sharp focus on the environment. Furthermore, ESF students receive a diploma that carries the Syracuse University seal alongside the seal of SUNY ESF.

Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity

“At SUNY, we recognize our diversity makes us stronger and smarter. We respect, encourage, and promote all aspects of human difference,” says Joanie. By promoting diversity on campus, ESF invigorates conversation, awakens curiosity, fosters civic engagement, and widens perspectives. Besides being a pathway to a culturally competent environment, ESF and all SUNY campuses are also the training ground for many future corporate and community leaders.

“ESF’s student body is sewn from the threads of our nation’s diverse quilt, where the views of all students across the educational spectrum are sought and given a voice,” Joanie continues.  SUNY ESF’s Office of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity helps the college create a welcoming and inclusive environment for people from every background by promoting active cultural organizations and affinity groups. The office also upholds special initiatives for Native Americans, Women of Color, Men of Color, Veterans, LGBTQIA+, QTPOC, and graduate students.

Evolving with Technology

Joanie believes that technology drives modalities, global concerns drive content, and changing demographics drive the premises and promises that those in the educational community live by. According to Joanie, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted each of these realities. Technology has changed the work for the faculty—redefining the paradigm for curriculum delivery and relationship building.

The crisis highlighted the interconnectedness of the global community and motivated everyone to rally against a single force. The pandemic also caused prospective students and families to rethink decisions due to numerous challenges that emerged.

SUNY ESF has been leveraging technology to meet the educational needs of students. With the smart classrooms and contemporary labs, the college ensures that the students are comfortable with the current technology and eager to influence the future technology as needs evolve. While shifting to online classwork due to the pandemic, the college worked with faculty and students to make the change in modalities successful. “As a result, far more members of our society are able to offer classes in multiple ways,” adds Joanie.

Education with Collaboration

In the near future, Joanie expects to see students embrace education with a real sense of collaboration. She believes that there will be more variety in the way students receive their education. Joanie states, “Students have learned what they like and dislike about the online classes, whether they be synchronous or asynchronous classes. They also have an appreciation for the value of in-person classes and connections with faculty and fellow students.” She anticipates that administrators will have to listen to students and provide a menu of options to help them learn in ways that work best for them.

Commitment to Quality and Affordability

Joanie believes that the students’ interests and passions must be the bedrock for their academic pursuits. According to her, the long list of colleges/universities students want to consider should be primarily based on academic offerings. Alongside academics, she adds that students should evaluate the institution based on their requirements that range from location, size, to their comfort level.

Joanie advises students to visit the college campus to assess the feeling on campus, the spirit on campus, and how they fit in on the campus. Lastly, she believes students must consider the cost of education before choosing any college. Ultimately, ESF provides a great option for students as it is committed to providing both a quality education that opens doors and prepares students for meaningful careers, and an affordable education that ensures students will graduate with the least amount of debt possible.

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