Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education

"Higher education's must-read book of 2022! Three higher-ed authors, 100+ college and university presidents, dozens of actionable insights for academic leaders."

Colleges and universities that provide millions of degree and non-degree credentials each year are a vital backbone of communities and economies. These institutions elevate the critical-thinking capacities of students and learners, and they provide crucial job skills and life skills to emerging workforces.

But the skills we need, the ways in which we collaborate, and the very jobs available to graduates are changing. It's time for higher education to start anew. It's time for Commencement into a new era.

"Institutions must step into the market with things that are scalable and different and accelerated and that really respond to how adults learn." - Dr. Philomena Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University

In their highly anticipated book born from interviews with 100+ college and university presidents, Kate Colbert and Joe Sallustio, EdD, welcome you into a conversation like no other.

Discover how you can seize the moment to change higher education forever.

Maybe you're an administrator. A board member. A member of the faculty or staff. An ed-tech or educational services leader. Or a policymaker. If you work in or around higher education, this book was written for you - for your aspirations and your fears, for your curiosities and your vision, and for your commitment to educate, inspire, and serve the myriad learners who look to you and your institutions to light the way.

"Collectively, we need to affirm our belief in the power of education to change people's lives." - Dr. Marvin Krislov, President, Pace University

• Embrace a new leadership skill set to change your college and your career
• See your mission through a modern lens that creates new opportunities
• Innovate, create, re-imagine, and evolve beyond the status quo
• Adopt a mindset about the purpose and value of higher education that makes the unimaginable suddenly possible
• Have impact far beyond your campus or your local community
• Create relationships, partnerships, and conversations that break down the walls, silos, rules, and bureaucracies that have held us back
• Survive the looming "admissions cliff"
• Use your pandemic lessons to create competitive advantage
• Put students first in all that you do

"I know that brighter days lie ahead. I absolutely know they lie ahead, but they will only lie ahead if we work together." - Dr. Chris Roellke, President, Stetson University

Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education is a thoughtful and practical review of academia today, presented through the words and experiences of 100+ college and university presidents. From online learning to affordability and access, from diversity and inclusion to leadership styles, no major theme goes unexplored.

"The only thing that truly gives you resilience is education." - Dr. Irma Beccera, President, Marymount University

Featuring contributions by Elvin Freytes, higher-education expert and co-founder of The EdUp Experience Podcast.

With a foreword by Francisco J. Marmolejo, Higher Education President, Qatar Foundation.