Strategic Transformation of Higher Education

Strategic Transformation of Higher Education examines the broken revenue-driven business model characteristic of higher education in an environment that demands greater access, more affordable tuition, accountable leaders, and faculty who deliver a consistently high quality of relevant education. The authors demonstrate that enduring business models must support institutional academic missions and that they are integral to systemic and strategic transformation by diagnosing the case for change and offering a practitioners’ guide for reform. This book surveys deficient government education policies, practices and funding formulas of select countries and offers remedies. It identifies impediments to change, along with ways to develop and deliver evidence-based solutions to improve institutional effectiveness and operating efficiencies, and it cites exemplars of change in these areas. Special attention is given to leadership attributes requisite of driving institutional redesign and to a paradigm shift that calls for transition from knowledge creation to plan implementation. Strategic Transformation of Higher Education emphasizes a collective need for reflection, a will to consistently question prevailing assumptions, and the courage to afford practical application to innovation.

Strategic Transformation of Higher Education offers readers a powerful rationale and strategy for change, as well as the global imperative to do so — and sooner than later. It is a must-read for all policy makers, college and university trustees, administrators, and especially the faculty of higher education who will find practical suggestions and strategies for moving forward with much-needed reforms in providing more students with successful learning experiences and an education that provides them with the skills they need for living and succeeding in an increasingly complex and competitive global environment., Strategic Transformation of Higher Education lays out the fundamental issues challenging all of higher education in the contemporary world where the basic goals and methods of education are more challenged than just about any period in our history. Even the challenges to America’s pioneering institutions — to create citizen leaders for a democracy unlike any ever seen in the world — did not match the challenges to today’s institutions who also face additionally a weltering array of modalities for delivering education, as well as a conflicting sets of goals for its purpose. This book is a fine overview of the elements and challenges to 'change' leadership in higher education, and is especially valuable in its global comparisons of the goals and funding of systems in many different countries. Also, its discussion of eight exemplars of change in the area of online and competency-based education is valuable for pointing ways that quality, skills, improved access, and affordability might be shared, and not conflicting, values., Here is a book that demands our attention. Sutin and Jacob present a compelling case for the need for transformation of higher education if institutions are to survive. The authors point out the challenges of operating in an environment that includes decreased funding, cost increases, greater expectations from employers, global competition, a projected skills gap, and accreditation concerns. Globalization and advances in technology are affecting our society in ways that higher education can no longer ignore. The book’s brief case studies show how leaders who make plans and decisions without considering the consequences of unanticipated economic cycles jeopardize the existence of their institutions. To assist leaders to navigate in today’s challenging environment, the authors provide examples of institutions that are successful because they have undergone systemic reform. Higher education leaders, educators, and policy makers need to think seriously about the case for strategic transformation that Sutin and Jacob present so well., Strategic Transformation brings fresh and insightful focus to two critical challenges: how to address the gap in alignment between institutions of higher learning, both in the U.S. and abroad, and how to deal with the growing dysfunction of comparative funding models. The authors offer a pragmatic guide to systemic reform and highlight the essential qualities of transformative leaders. The further description of individual and institutional “exemplars” provides inspiration and encourages aspiration., This path-breaking volume offers profound insights into how visionary leadership can serve to transform higher education in a time of crisis, characterized by escalating student debt and reduced state support. Illustrative vignettes of successful and failing institutions, also of the dilemmas facing individual students add vivid colour. International comparisons that highlight approaches taken by the UK, Australia, Germany and three of the four BRIC countries broaden the canvass for this critical yet constructive depiction of higher education leadership at a global turning point in America.

Dr. Stewart E. Sutin is clinical professor of Administrative and Policy Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He joined Pitt’s graduate faculty in 2007 after serving as President of the Community College of Allegheny County. Previous career experiences included 29 years in the banking industry where he was Senior Vice President and International Department Head at Mellon Bank, and President of Bank of Boston International.Dr. W. James Jacob is associate professor of International Higher Education and Director of the Institute for International Studies in Education at the University of Pittsburgh. His research and leadership experience include higher education strategic planning, academic affairs, quality assurance, community engagement, and change management.