Over the last few years, we’ve seen a movement in higher education to do a better job supporting student success and graduating students across the socioeconomic spectrum - particularly low-income students, first-generation students, and students of color. Here at the UIA we’ve been leading that effort, but change is difficult, especially at large institutions. So, along the way, we’ve picked up an array of insights about what makes change possible in the higher ed environment.
Caitlin is a senior business major who hopes to work in the tech industry. She works full-time to offset tuition and living expenses. She’s afraid she can’t balance her immediate financial needs with pursuing a job change after college.
Sam is a Biology major preparing for dental school, but he really loves music. The four-year degree he’s pursuing is primarily to please and provide for his mother. A Caribbean student from a lower-income family, Sam is afraid he’ll regret not pursuing his passion.
It promises to be a particularly busy SXSWedu for us this year. First, we're participating on a timely panel about improving the college-to-career experience featuring Melissa Korn of the Wall Street Journal, UIA Executive Director Bridget Burns, Michael Sorrell of Paul Quinn College, and Michele Weiss of Strada Institute for the Future of Work.
Check out this interview with Dr. Karen Stout, the President of Achieving the Dream- which is the largest network of community colleges in the country. In the interview, we talk about the challenges facing higher education, the presidency, leading change, and surviving overwhelm. #highered
Check out this great conversation with Dr. Jennifer Brown, the Vice Provost & Dean of Undergraduate Education at University of California Riverside. Dr. Brown is the UIA liaison for UCR and in this interview she helps us understand how they have eliminated race and income as a predictor of outcome.
Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper is the President of IHEP, and a @gatesfoundation Scaling Partner with @uiainnovation!
Dr. Ryan Goodwin is the Director of the Center for Higher Education Innovation (@ucf_chei) at the University of Central Florida. He was formerly an UIA Fellow, and is now serving as UCF's liaison to the UIA.
Unlikely is a new documentary arriving in theaters this week. The film is an important tool to galvanize momentum, and inspire student success teams to take action. Check out this short interview with Director Jaye Fenderson, and bring your team of administrators, faculty, staff, and students to see it in theaters! For more information and tickets.
Check out this interview with Josh Wyner from the The Aspen Institute where we asked about leadership, overwhelm, the presidency, and running the most effective team meetings!#highered