FOCUS ON: Higher Education
Madeline Iseli
Senior Vice President, advancement/regional strategy, Sinclair Community College
For generations of young people, “going to college” served as the developmental period for life exploration that would result in developing skills for a fulfilling career and selfrealization. This is still true for many students who attend residential universities. For many community college students, however, “higher education” is more focused on skills development for quicker entry into in-demand jobs in fields such as IT, automation and robotics, and health care. Community colleges provide practical, skills-based applied learning – along with important grounding in communications and other topics – to develop well rounded, qualified, essential workers in manufacturing, health care and all of the region’s high-growth industries.
transformation and positively impact the future of our university, our city and beyond. We have created a supportive, connected pathway where students co-design their education plan with excellent advisors. It is a path along which they develop professional habits, gain valuable experiences and zero in on longer-term career goals. As the global founder of cooperative education – established 116 years ago – UC provides thousands of students valuable real-world education through co-op experiences where students alternate semesters onthe-job and in the classroom. We operate one of the nation’s largest co-op programs, consistently ranked in the top five nationwide. We continue to expand the co-op model to all students with the goal of providing experience-based learning opportunities to all students who desire them.
Madeline Iseli
Greg Crawford
President, Miami University
Joseph L. Chillo
President, Thomas More University
We help students pursue the best version of themselves so they can give more to the world. Equipped with a sense of belonging, dynamic intellectual skills and a sense of purpose, our graduates are able to take their life and career as far as they want it to go. Our faculty and scholars invest significant time getting to know each student – encouraging, challenging and supporting them to develop their unique skills and talents. Our students are engaged in campus activities and academic research, leaving them well equipped to make an impact in the community. The tremendous support we have seen for our Second Century Campaign proves that Thomas More alumni and friends understand the value of the high-quality, Catholic liberal arts education that we offer. They know with certainty that current and future graduates of Thomas More will emerge as civic leaders and responsible stewards, well equipped to effect positive change in the community.
Neville G. Pinto
President, University of Cincinnati
We believe that the next citizen leader, the next idea, the next discovery or the next creation that will mold the future of our society lives here on our campus today. And we as faculty and staff have a high responsibility to drive an agenda and instill a culture that nurtures this “Next,” so that it will flourish in the future and ensure our society’s continuing progress and well-being. As a public university, we have a special obligation to be truly inclusive – opening our doors wide and allowing more to be educated in the tradition of excellence at UC. Increasing our diversity strengthens the quality of the experience on our campus for all, and is a strategic focus that we must have to fully deliver on our mission. By aligning programs and services to ensure readiness, create access and foster success, we can achieve educational
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AUGUST 2022
Movers & Makers
Creating better citizens and preparing citizens for work are inextricable from high education’s mission to serve students and society. Higher education has a vital role to create better citizens and empower them to elevate their community, region and beyond. Firstyear students, adult learners and professional students all benefit from the knowledge, connections and skills cultivated by a rich higher education experience in an inclusive and creative environment of learners and creators of knowledge. Higher education is the gateway to adulthood for the traditional student who attends college soon after high school. These are formative years for professional, emotional, and social growth and development. College life offers myriad opportunities to engage intelligent, curious, creative people from diverse backgrounds and identities, races, cultures, socioeconomics, religions and political views. These encounters may inspire them to question, confirm or amend their values, beliefs and understanding of themselves and their place in the world. In the process, support networks and new friendships develop that require accountability, self-awareness and emotional intelligence to maintain. Traditional students discover new passions and pathways previously unknown or unavailable and practice personal and social skills that can make them influential team members and citizens throughout life. Higher education offers nontraditional and professional students further clarity and discovery of who they are or desire to become. It builds upon their already-acquired skills and life experiences and opens broader perspectives, new pathways and the opportunity to make adjustments to previous life decisions. Earning a degree or additional degrees can also improve the socioeconomic status of these students and their families, potentially improving their overall quality of life and increasing their ability to serve others.
Joseph L. Chillo
Neville G. Pinto
Greg Crawford