Abstract
Shifting demographics, rising costs of operations, a changing competitive landscape, reductions in state appropriations, pressures for accountability, and a widespread economic decline characterize the environment in which today’s colleges and universities operate. This article examines some of the current responses to these challenges and outlines opportunities for advancing the mission of higher education in the 21st century. The topics covered include student centeredness, interdisciplinary research, access and affordability, technology, globalizing our universities, and service.
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Some of the material used in this article is excerpted from columns written by the author.
Graham B. Spanier
is the President of The Pennsylvania State University. A national leader in higher education, Dr. Spanier was the recipient of the 2009 TIAA-CREF Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence. He serves as chair of the National Security Higher Education Advisory Board, is a member of the National Counterintelligence Working Group, is a member of the Board of Advisors of the Naval Postgraduate School, and serves on the board of Junior Achievement Worldwide. A family sociologist, demographer, and marriage and family therapist, he earned his Ph.D. in sociology from Northwestern University and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State University.
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Spanier, G.B. Creating Adaptable Universities. Innov High Educ 35, 91–99 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-009-9134-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-009-9134-z