There have always been challenges facing higher education leaders. From remaining true to the school’s mission, vision and traditions to staying competitive with research, innovation and the latest academic offerings. The role of the provost is ripe with challenges and opportunities; problems and solutions. Today, some of the most visible areas of concern include: Diversity and Inclusion In their annual 2017 survey of chief academic officers, higher education media company Inside Higher Education found that provosts realize the importance of diversity as part of the learning experience. If they were not previously aware, widespread student protests in 2015 brought this […]

Working in higher education is a career that can be incredibly rewarding. However, many in the field can still be searching for more stimulating tasks and that next great challenge. According to Business Insider, researchers found that individuals who pursued careers that challenged them were able to keep their minds sharper for longer and also improve their cognitive functioning. What’s the best way to pave the way to embrace new challenges in your career? Enrolling in an online degree program can give you the chance to revitalize your passion to work in higher education while also giving you the tools […]

The multiple aspects of human personality are deep rooted and complex. Personality is a product of nature and nurture: who we are genetically, how we were raised, and the experiences that have formed our lives. The way we function in the world is as unique as our own personal DNA. The American Psychological Association defines personality as “individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving.” Personality impacts everything we do in our lives, including how we interact with information and others. Both of which have a direct impact on the way we learn. MBTI®, FFM and VARK® Human […]

Experienced educators like yourself have many choices as to how to grow your career in an industry that continues to evolve with new challenges and rewards. Innovative, collaborative leaders are in high demand, particularly as today’s administrative executives begin to age out of full-time roles and make the transition into retirement. Taking the opportunity to invest in your own education with a terminal degree can make all the difference in reaching your greatest goals for success. Doctor of Education versus Doctor of Philosophy The difference between a Doctor of Education (EdD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree has everything […]

Both new and established leaders are emerging as innovators who are adding value to their institutions during this time of opportunity and change. Here, we profile three notable individuals gaining national prominence. Dr. Mark Lombardi, President Maryville University As President of Maryville University, Dr. Mark Lombardi has been instrumental in growing the school’s enrollment to 6,500. Double what the student population was just eight years ago. First, Lombardi led a massive recruiting effort at a time when other universities were contracting due to economic pressures. Maryville’s enrollment is now more diverse than ever before, with students from across the globe. […]

Many institutions of higher learning are steeped in tradition with decades of history to honor, preserve, and sustain. Layers of bureaucracy and structure have been built in over the years as schools grew in a time where “going to college” meant living on campus, sitting in class, and learning from the book. Other younger universities, while not as rigid in their legacies, continue to operate on the principles of consistency and formality. Across the board, there are significant areas of opportunity where we see strong resistance to change despite overwhelming desire for innovative thinking. A New Digital Divide Many students […]

Higher education leaders are facing multiple challenges – and opportunities – in an ever-evolving professional discipline. Changes to how students learn, what they expect, and where they come from are three important factors trending today. Understanding what these changes mean to the bigger picture can help provide the groundwork for strategic growth at your institution of higher learning. Technology As invasive as technology is in our lives as a whole, it is no surprise that the field of higher education is responding with innovations of its own. Online learning, while not a new trend, continues to advance in sophistication and […]