Innovative Leadership in Higher Education | Origin: LS104R
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Your Leadership Legacy --> Innovative Leadership in Higher Education
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Identifying the biggest obstacle is half of the problem and it does appear that the biggest obstacle may be those from a lower income situation starting school and finishing it. Knowing how to support and reach those students should be able to make a big difference. Including programs that teach a skill may bridge that gap a bit as well.
It was interesting to read about how the challenge is not with students entering higher education, but with them finishing their education. I think that there needs to be more transparency with the resources that are available to assist students in reaching their goals.
We talk about the financial impact on education all the time and fail to realize that there are other challenges that affect education. I learnt the challenges facing education completion is the problem with crossing the finish line.
Leadership legacy is a duty of educators
I was especially intrigued by the concept that the success of the economy is tied to the quality of human capital. It was surprising that the US is behind the 8 ball here.
The importance of education in keeping our economy moving forward. The thought of the next steps of education can be overwhelming for students.
I am very clear now on my legacy
Career colleges have a real role to play and should not be seen as lower quality
I learned the importance of thinking about your legacy now, as opposed to once your career is over and the benefits of doing so now.
I've learned how to adapt my strengths to my leadership style.
This section was definitely one of the most 'thought provoking' and unexpectantly interesting. I have never thought about a 'legacy' in education although the thought itself heightens awareness of "the nowness of the moment". In short, if we are all active participants in education as an institution-we are all actively architects of our own legacies. Consciously? Or unconsciously? Goooood stuff.
I would have to say that I have discovered new aspects of leadership style and skills that can be incredibly valuable for personal and professional growth. Embracing these newfound strengths and honing them further can lead to even greater success in my endeavors.
Reviewing your legacy is one of the most important things you can do. It provides you the opportunity to prioritize your purpose and look at the big picture. Often we get lost in the daily task and forget the future.
I learned that there was research showing that low income students are price sensitive for grad rates and completion rates are a function of how students grew up. However, what I found most interesting was that the reason for undermatching according to William Bowen was lack of information instead of financial issues that would lead to students not applying to schools they knew they would not be able to afford or recieve enough aid coming from "modest circumstances".
When applying to college, I was fortunate enough to be given a lot of support and information from my school staff and from graduates and staff of other schools. According to my school, I could have placed and should have applied to more prestigious schools and that aid would cover me when I knew (though we were rich in the slightest) my family made too much to qualify for enough. After talking with others outside of my school, I was encouraged to apply to a state school where I got the same degree, stayed for the same amount of years and was in 0 debt after graduation. Unfortunately, friends of mine who didn't have other people talking to them, matched with a school that fit them but ended up with $50,000+ in debt. I undermatched intentionally, not because of lack of informstion but because of lack of funds and willingness to go more in debt than needed. Because of this, I have and will encourage students to consider their financial resources and background in addition to their academic background when considering their higher education options.
I found the leadership legacy worksheet to be very helpful, I will use it in the future. I found the concept of low completion rates being the biggest challenge interesting - in my option, the biggest challenges are the factors contributing to low completion rates. I view low completion as the outcome of challenges such as high cost, lack of information, etc.
In this sessions I learned a lot about leadership legacies. I plan to keep applying what was in this chapter.
I really appreciated how this connected with the current higher education strategy and I always appreciate the worksheets and the interactive elements.
