The Way Forward: Higher Education In a Time of Crisis

Patricia McGuire is president of Trinity Washington University, a Catholic women's institution in Washington, DC. Over three decades of leadership, she has committed the university to the service of Black and working-class women in their home community; Trinity's student body is now 90% women of color and 50% Pell-eligible. Pat McGuire is also become a vibrant, influential voice for racial equity and economic equality in higher education. Here we discuss Trinity's social-justice mission, the public responsibilities of higher ed and higher ed leaders, and her own personal journey. Readings: Patricia McGuire, "How Higher Education Can Atone For Its Long History of Racism" (Chronicle of Higher Education, July 26, 2019) Patricia McGuire, "How Higher Education's Data Obsession Leads Us Astray" (Chronicle of Higher Education, October 27, 2019) Patricia McGuire, "Colleges Share the Blame for the Assault on Democracy" (Chronicle of Higher Education, January 8, 2021) The Way Forward is a production of Bringing Theory to Practice; to learn more about our work, visit us at www.bttop.org. Send us your thoughts—and suggestions for future episodes—at info@btop.org. The podcast is produced by Jabari Butler, and Dan Rudin composed our music.

Michelle Fine, a distinguished social psychologist at CUNY, advocates for Critical Participatory Action Research. She emphasizes the importance of collaborating with marginalized communities to address justice and social power. The discussion highlights how universities can act as supportive spaces rather than gatekeepers, creating meaningful dialogues about systemic inequalities. Fine calls for inclusive admissions and diverse narratives in the curriculum, envisioning a transformative future for higher education committed to community accountability.

College Unbound, a small, newly accredited college in Providence, Rhode Island, has been garnering a lot of positive attention lately—with good reason. It serves adult, working, parenting students, just the kind who are generally been ignored or underestimated by American higher education. In contrast to the short-term job training that many leaders believe nontraditional students want and need, CU offers an undergraduate degree grounded in project-based learning, peer cohorts, and a culture of full-throated support. Its graduation rate is around 80%. Its cost is around $5000 a term. Its students passionately love the program. In this episode, I speak with Provost Adam Bush about CU's program and values, the college's response to the pandemic, and the implications of its model of transformative education not only for adult learners, but for higher ed as a whole. Along with visiting the College Unbound website, you can learn more by reading: "Colleges Struggle to Serve Millions of Dropouts. Have These Men Cracked the Code?" (Chronicle of Higher Education, January 16, 2020) "College Unbound Helps Working Adults Earn Fast Affordable Degrees" (Forbes, April 22, 2019) The Way Forward is a production of Bringing Theory to Practice; to learn more about our work, visit us at www.bttop.org. Send us your thoughts—and suggestions for future episodes—at info@btop.org. The podcast is produced by Jabari Butler, and Dan Rudin composed our music.

In this engaging conversation, Elaine Maimon, former president of Governors State University and author of "Leading Academic Change," discusses the urgent educational needs of "new majority" students, including working adults and veterans. Maimon emphasizes the integration of arts and humanities with career preparation, advocating for a holistic approach to education. She also explores the transformation of higher education prompted by crises, the importance of systemic change, and how resilient leadership can inspire innovation and inclusion for all students.

Paul Hanstedt, Director of the Houston H. Harte Center for Teaching and Learning, dives into how traditional higher education has failed to address the complexities of modern life. He advocates for a transformative curriculum that fosters 'wicked students' capable of tackling real-world challenges. Their conversation explores the emotional strain on educators during the pandemic and how it pressures them to adapt teaching methods. They discuss creating supportive academic environments that emphasize resilience and collaboration, aiming for a more engaging learning experience.

Nancy Cantor, a distinguished social psychologist and Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark, dives into the pressing need for higher education to focus on community engagement and racial justice. She shares innovative initiatives like the Honors Living-Learning Community and highlights how universities can respond to crises, such as the pandemic and systemic racism. Cantor emphasizes the role of anchor institutions in fostering community resilience, transforming education to celebrate student identities, and advocating for systemic changes to meet global challenges.

Freeman Hrawbowski has served as President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for nearly three decades, during which the university has become a national leader in undergraduate education. UMBC is well-known for its exemplary success supporting Black students in the sciences and pre-medical education, its innovative interdisciplinary curriculum, and its leadership in students' civic learning. Here we explore how UMBC's model of change framed its responses to the crisis of 2020, beginning with a commitment to patient listening and trust-building even—especially—in times of urgency. My discussion with Freeman Hrabowski touched on several important programs at UMBC, including the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and the Shriver Center. We also referenced his book, co-authored with two colleagues, The Empowered University: Shared Leadership, Culture Change, and Academic Success. The Way Forward is a production of Bringing Theory to Practice; to learn more about our work, visit us at www.bttop.org. Send us your thoughts—and suggestions for future episodes—at info@btop.org. The podcast is produced by Jabari Butler, and Dan Rudin composed our music.

The crises of 2020 have made change in higher ed all but inevitable, bringing long-simmering problems to a boil. But what change? Can educators meet the moment in ways that move beyond crisis management, reshaping higher ed in ways that empower students and enrich their learning? Host David Scobey looks for answers with academic leaders and innovators who are already forging positive change. This is not a podcast about forecasting the future of higher ed, but creating it. The Way Forward: Higher Education in a Time of Crisis is a production of Bringing Theory to Practice; to learn more about our work, visit us at www.bttop.org. Send us your thoughts—and suggestions for future episodes—at info@btop.org. The podcast is produced by Jabari Butler, and Dan Rudin composed our music.