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The Challenge of Independent Colleges

Moving Research into Practice

edited by Christopher C. Morphew and John M. Braxton

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At the intersection of new scholarship on higher education with on-the-ground insight into managing institutions.

This book began as a collaboration among top higher education researchers, the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) scholars, and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). Documenting the challenges and opportunities facing independent colleges in several integral areas, including public purposes and student engagement, The Challenge of Independent Colleges is informed by the reactions of independent campus presidents and provosts who work every day to act on the...

At the intersection of new scholarship on higher education with on-the-ground insight into managing institutions.

This book began as a collaboration among top higher education researchers, the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) scholars, and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). Documenting the challenges and opportunities facing independent colleges in several integral areas, including public purposes and student engagement, The Challenge of Independent Colleges is informed by the reactions of independent campus presidents and provosts who work every day to act on the opportunities presented by private colleges and universities.

Each of the nine chapters is written by a leading higher education scholar and frames highly relevant issues for administrators at independent colleges and universities. Topics range from "Access and Affordability" and "Assessment" to "Ensuring Student Success" and "Institutional Strategy." Each chapter is followed by a short, critical reaction written by a provost or president at a CIC member institution. These reactions demonstrate how the information contained in the chapter might be used by institutional leaders to make decisions and what other information on the chapter’s topic might be useful for leaders at independent colleges and universities.

An important resource for higher education scholars and campus leaders, this text will also be a useful addition to courses on education.

Contributors: John M. Braxton, Erin B. Ciarimboli, Cynthia Cogswell, Valerie Crespín-Trujillo, Daniel Custer, Richard Dorman, Roger Drake, Richard Ekman, David Guthrie, Harold V. Hartley III, James C. Hearn, Nicholas Hillman, Jillian Kinzie, Mary B. Marcy, Matthew J. Mayhew, Charlie McCormick, Linda McMillin, Christopher C. Morphew, Julie J. Park, Laura W. Perna, Kevin M. Ross, Marc Roy, Laurie Schreiner, Carolyn J. Stefanco, Barrett Taylor, Stephen J. Vassallo, David J. Weerts, Cynthia A. Wells, Letha Zook

Reviews

Reviews

A comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of the state of small independent colleges today, The Challenge of Independent Colleges explores a wide range of vitally important issues facing these institutions. The interplay between scholars and practitioners clearly shows what we know and what we need to know to ensure these institutions not only survive but thrive in the twenty-first century.

As the title promises, this book brings important academic research alive for those leading independent colleges. Research drives innovation. The book not only provides readers with a keen understanding of the natural advantages small colleges enjoy in being able to innovate, but it also delivers the tools to bring evidence-based improvements to their institutions.

This is important work at an important time in our industry. Morphew and Braxton provide a meaningful inquiry into the many challenges facing higher education today, but more importantly, they deliver numerous helpful recommendations that will drive innovation and reflective change within our institutions.

Christopher Morphew and John Braxton have done a beautiful job of capturing the unique strengths, challenges, and opportunities of independent higher education. This is a must read for college and university leaders at all levels. This book includes the latest research on issues we all wrestle with as well as a response from practitioners who live with these challenges daily.

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Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
6
x
9
Pages
280
ISBN
9781421424316
Illustration Description
1 graph
Table of Contents

Foreward, by Laura W. Perna and Richard Ekman
Preface, by Christopher C. Morphew
Acknowledgments
An Overview of the Independent College Sector, by Harold V. Hartley III
1. Public Purposes and Benefits of

Foreward, by Laura W. Perna and Richard Ekman
Preface, by Christopher C. Morphew
Acknowledgments
An Overview of the Independent College Sector, by Harold V. Hartley III
1. Public Purposes and Benefits of Independent Higher Education, by Barrett Taylor and David Weerts
Reaction, by Marc Roy
2. Access and Affordability, by Valerie Crespin-Trujillo and Nicholas W. Hillman
Reaction, by Roger Drake
3. Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes, by Jillian Kinzie and Cynthia A. Cogswell
Reaction, by Letha B. Zook
4. Leveraging Learning Technologies at Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities, by Christopher C. Morphew and Stephen Vassallo
Reaction, by Kevin M. Ross
5. Ensuring Student Success, by Laurie A. Schreiner
Reaction, by Charlie McCormick
6. Student Demographics and Equity, by Julie J. Park
Reaction, by Mary B. Marcy
7. Meaning Making and the Liberal Arts, by Cynthia A. Wells, David Guthrie, and Daniel Custer
Reaction, by Linda McMillin
8. The Faculty Role in the Smaller Private College, by John M. Braxton
Reaction, by Carolyn J. Stefanco
9. Institutional Strategy and Adaptation, by James C. Hearn and Erin B. Ciarimboli
Reaction, by Richard H. Dorman
10. Trusses and Gaps in the Bridge from Research to Practice, by Christopher C. Morphew and John M. Braxton
Contributors
Index

Author Bios
Christopher C. Morphew
Featured Contributor

Christopher C. Morphew

Christopher C. Morphew (BALTIMORE, MD) is the dean of Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education, where he is also a professor. He is the coeditor of The Challenge of Independent Colleges: Moving Research to Practice and Privatizing the Public University: Perspectives from across the Academy.
Featured Contributor

John M. Braxton, Ph.D.

John M. Braxton is a professor of higher education at Vanderbilt University. He is a coauthor of Professors Behaving Badly: Faculty Misconduct in Graduate Education.