While the concept of leadership is difficult to define, Robert N. Lussier and Christopher F. Achua, authors of the book Leadership: Theory, Application and Skill Development, present an excellent definition of leadership as “the influencing process between leaders and followers to achieve organizational objectives through change.” But how do we apply such definition to our everyday experiences?
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The Possible Future for Small, Tuition-Dependent Colleges
Last month, I wrote about a new book, The College Stress Test, authored by my former professor and dissertation chair Dr. Robert Zemsky, Susan Shaman, and Susan Campbell Baldridge. Using data from the Department of Education institutional reports, the authors constructed a stress test that indicated only 10% of educational institutions face substantial market risk but that another 30% will struggle until they find a way to reduce student costs, change curriculum, and experiment with new modes of instruction.
The Making of a Financial Disaster for Higher Education
Much has been written about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on higher education. At this point in time, most, if not all, colleges and universities have shuttered their campuses and are attempting to continue the semester by teaching online. With the notices to parents (I have two daughters in college) that refunds will be forthcoming for a prorated portion of the semester for room, board, and fees for other services, I became curious about how issuing refunds to students would impact many colleges.
Coronavirus and Its Impact on Higher Education (Podcast)
During the coronavirus outbreak, many colleges and universities have transitioned from traditional classroom environments to teaching primarily online. In this podcast, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks with American Public University System President Dr. Wally Boston about the impact of coronavirus on higher education.
Finding Your New Normal: Taking Care of Your Mental Health during Uncertain Times
Have you felt overwhelmed, anxious, or confused lately as a result of the coronavirus outbreak? Felt a lack of control or security over what is happening? If you have, you are not alone. It is ok and normal to have these mixed and strong emotions to quickly changing and uncertain times.
Thoughts from the Field: Close or Use Online Courses?
In the face of unprecedented closures in the nation and in the California Community College System (CCC), college administrators rally to keep instruction alive by generating hundreds of online class sessions from current on-ground traditional classes. The world as we know it in online education will likely never be the same. What resources are we pulling together, and what will we learn from this experience? It is up to us to collaborate at a previously unimagined level to figure this out.
Suddenly Teaching and Learning Online for the First Time
Jose has been teaching face-to-face for years and is comfortable standing in front of dozens or even hundreds of students every day. He is the sage who imparts knowledge to those sitting in front of him—some are eager to take in what he shares, while others force themselves to stay focused and take notes.
Resources for Building Online Courses in an Emergency
Many traditional colleges and universities have cancelled regular classes for the time being and are preparing their faculty and students for online classes in order to complete the spring semester. For institutions with a substantial online presence, this is likely not a big issue. But for those institutions with little online experience, this could be problematic. Adding to the drama or chaos, depending on your perspective, is the fact that the online courses have to be ready by the end of the extended spring breaks imposed by these colleges and universities.
How the Art of Baking Satisfies the Need for Science
I never thought I’d be a scientist. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a chef. My mom was always cooking and baking, and she taught me a lot about preparing healthy and delicious foods, mostly from scratch. I grew up helping her in the kitchen and gradually became more independent in my cooking. I got to the point where I would cook breakfast for the whole family every morning throughout high school, and I took a lot of pride in that.