2 Comments

• 

  Gina Celentano (she/her)

  March 8, 2024 at 10:44 am Reply

  Mapping the Future of Higher Education Meeting Notes
  John Mogulescu
  Background
  Author of “The Dean of New Things: Bringing Change to CUNY and New York City”
  Founding Dean of CUNY School of Professional Studies (SPS) and Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP)
  Page 187, “for big problems, simply tinkering is not enough”
  Focus on & need for collaboration
  “Provide opportunity and then work with the willing”
  Building trust with city agencies once his team proved they could deliver innovative ideas & results > grants
  interplay between vision & strategy
  Tradition vs. innovation
  looking to disrupt the status quo
  recognizing that CUNY was not doing as well as they needed to do (find problems & solutions)
  Tradition can get in the way of students’ success
  Sometimes the status quo isn’t acceptable
  Implemented ASAP & immediately the graduation rates rose
  Relationship between CUNY & NYC
  CUNY is not about giving out degrees but giving back to the city
  80s Welfare reform & Reagan Amnesty
  Working with the city’s public high schools
  Using technology and education to make reform for NYC (police ex)
  Important to connect urban reform and education
  Changes in landscape of higher education
  Worried about the future of public education
  Needs change, public school enrollment is down
  This growing sense that there isn’t need for higher education
  Needs bold leadership that understand the importance of change & innovation
  “Innovate or stagnate”
  Audience Q&A
  How does CUNY maintain academic excellence?
  CUNY believes in the potential of its students
  Lack of CUNY alumni interaction

  • 

    Anonna Aditia

    March 14, 2024 at 10:10 am Reply

    Mapping the Future of Higher Ed – John Mogulescu in conversation with Dara Byrne

    Introduction by Hunter College’s interim president, Ann Kirschner.

    -She speaks about CUNY’s commitment to access, excellence, innovation, and affordability on a gigantic scale. It isn’t an easy feat, especially in higher education where there are always forces against change, which “attacks innovation like it’s a germ instead of a vitamin.”

    -The event is to highlight the road ahead for higher education. Quoted Theodore Roosevelt, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

    -CUNY under the leadership of Matthew Goldstein

    -John Mogulescu wrote the book “Dean of New Things.” This webinar goes over a few questions which Dara asked about the book and answers some questions from commentators.

    -Quote from the book, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader. An inspired and innovative leader.”

    -Inspired leaders don’t merely delegate tasks, but they cultivate an atmosphere that encourages proactive engagement.

    -For big problems, simply tinkering is not enough

    -New ideas bring in new people, lots of generous grants

    -Many conflicts between faculty, programs were met with great criticisms. ASAP had a great opposition, as there was with SPS, CUNY Start, etc.

    -Matthew Goldstein was an enabler for these new college programs, allowed these proceedings without receiving much hostility. To get around the hostility they had to work with faculty who “wanted to do new things.”

    -For a new program in a university there had to be demand for it. There was a push to open online programs on campus but could not happen due to lack of interest.

    -Grants helped these programs happen. Gary Dinas – provided 100 million dollars in grants yearly to allow for these programs to exist.

    -In his book, John talks about the interplay between vision and strategy. If you’re trying to build or disrupt a system, these two pieces need to work together. (John is referred to as the center of a prior senior university dean’s office)

    -Programs like CUNY start existed to help people of the lowest level, it could not be determined whether these people would reach the finish line. Full semesters were covered for these students, an incentive to make students go full time. (Data started to show that 89% of community college students started full-time)

    -Tradition is important in college culture. John was asked whether he did a series of successful programs or change the culture. He responds by saying that the culture was somewhat changed by the bringing of these programs, but overall, the culture was not changed. The programs have helped thousands of people who would not have graduated go into the workforce, allowing them to thrive. In his words, he believes it is what the students deserve.

    -John’s work was framed by the deep belief that a public urban university must look beyond providing degree programs. It must also assist government and difficult urban problems. His team believed CUNY wasn’t as good as it should be, causing many students to not reach the finish line. Due to this, programs were extended and redefined CUNY’s role and mission.

    -CUNY PREP – A tried demonstration that “lower students” could obtain diplomas and succeed in college.

    -“Real change will take more than just talk. Change is not easy, but it can be done with bold leadership, new ideas, and a willingness to listen.” – John Mogulescu

    -Dara asks if John is optimistic about the university and the university’s relationship with the city.

    -He responds by saying the past few years have been rough (COVID, drop in degree students, changes in leadership). Education is not being supported as well as it should be, many private colleges are going out of business while the elites still thrive. There is a sense that higher education is not important despite degrees still being a key to a better life/better earning.

    -He says CUNY is still essential to the future of NYC, and necessary for NYC to thrive.

    -Issues that threaten higher education are also mentioned, such as: university management/faculty issues, CUNY’s funding fight, alumni assets, smart people who are resistant to change