With college becoming increasingly difficult to afford as tuition increases and the perceived return on investment of a college degree falling, new and improved ways for students to find value in higher education and individuals that lead by example need to emerge.
For higher education to reach its highest potential, it needs leaders with revolutionary ideas and vision to set a new tone for others to follow.
In this aspect, Arizona State University President Michael Crow is exemplifying leadership within higher education today. ASU appointed crow in 2002.
Since then, he has overseen constant innovation at the University. How has Crow been able to foster the changes necessary for ASU to accomplish all of this?
It comes down to one of the single most important things for a leader to possess—a clear and powerful vision.
A New Vision
Crow’s vision for ASU, which he has dubbed “The New American University,” is based on the principle of transforming the school into “a comprehensive knowledge enterprise dedicated to the simultaneous pursuit of excellence, broad access to quality education, and meaningful societal impact.”
While each aspect is important, what really makes this mission statement so important is the inclusion of the word “simultaneous.” What shows Crow’s vision is that for ASU to make the innovations necessary to revolutionize education truly, they cannot focus on only one of these goals.
He understands that innovation does not work in a vacuum, and for it to be truly effective, there needs to be integrated across multiple facets of an organization.
While the pursuit of excellence is a familiar concept for universities, Crow’s leadership is best exemplified through the other two fundamentals of The New American University’s mission: broad access to quality education and meaningful societal impact.
One of the best ways to achieve these ideals is to make college easier to attend, especially for students who need to continue working substantial hours while attending school or nontraditional students.
By finding ways to get around or break down these barriers, you can work toward both of these ideals.
To Increase Access, Eliminate Barriers
One of the biggest steps Crow and ASU have taken in this regard has been through the launch and massive expansion of ASU Online, which is widely considered the gold standard in online education.
Online degree programs make college substantially more accessible to students who cannot attend or are not successful in traditional college courses environments.
What makes ASU Online exceptional is how it fits within Michael Crow’s vision by offering comprehensive access to higher education, displayed by its growth to over 15,000 enrolled students.
Crow’s commitment to increasing access to education goes beyond the sheer number of people. It also extends to a high level of innovation to rethink how students approach and think about college.
ASU’s Global Freshman Academy does this by taking higher education even further outside the scope of traditional settings. In this program, students participate in classes online for only $45 and can then pay for course credit through ASU after passing the class.
Phil Regier – ASU’s Dean for Educational Initiatives and CEO of EdPlus – says this program allows students to participate in college courses outside some of the typical pressures that present barriers to success.
“By allowing students to explore, learn and complete courses before applying or paying for credit, the Global Freshman Academy makes college far more accessible and approachable, reducing academic and monetary stresses that often accompany the enrollment progress.”
This is a radical shift in the way that universities approach potential students.
By allowing students to experience college education without these outside factors, Crow is truly delivering on the core ideas behind his New American University vision. This shows why he needs to be looked at as a leader for higher education today.
Not only has he brought radical change and innovation to a realm steeped in tired or outdated tradition, but he has been able to see these ideas through because of his strong vision and dedication.
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