Mobile Apps and Higher Education

August 15, 2017/in Emerging Technology

With 90 percent of college students owning a smartphone (46 percent own a tablet), colleges and universities are no longer debating whether to develop their own mobile platforms. Instead, they are creating new apps for students who are consistently using their smartphones more and more. Recruitment-focused apps tend to provide prospectus-type information, while apps leaning towards engagement try to increase the value of a student’s experience itself.

On campus, recruiters are using new campus tour apps that allow prospective students to explore campuses on their own time, and at their own pace. The apps use GPS to guide users to key points on campus. When prospective students arrive at the points of interest—audio, visual, and other effects can be used to offer information on specific locations, interests, and events. Catholic University in Washington D.C., highlights its unique architecture, and Findlay University boasts of its equestrian and vet facilities. Other advantages of virtual college tour apps include tours being offered in multiple languages, and the use of real-time analytics to gather data.

Colleges and universities are also using apps to engage with students beyond campus maps and class schedules. The University of Notre Dame’s campus app provides multiple features for students such as modules for laundry availability, safe ride requests, and indoor maps—which help students navigate and find key locations such as offices, classrooms, and printers. UVA uses its smartphone application to help students connect to support services, such as peer counseling and mental health facilities.

Beyond the Instagram and Facebook pages of higher education institutions, mobile apps are becoming increasingly necessary for schools who want to attract and maintain relevance across their populace of potential students. As of last fall, 79 percent of colleges and universities had working mobile apps or planned to offer them by the end of the academic year. This is up 20 percent from the previous year, and 40% from 2012. According to Amy Boyd, project manager for the app at Texas State University Moblie, “Everything seems to be going mobile, and if you don’t have that, you’re really falling behind the times.”

College President’s Report – August 2017

August 5, 2017/in President's Report 2017

Appointments

Austin College Names New President

Austin College has announced that Steven P. O’Day will become the school’s next president. Mr. O’Day currently serves as VP of strategic initiatives at Lebanon College. He will be taking over in October for Interim President Michael Imhoff.

New President Made Permanent at Bennet College

Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins has been named the permanent president at Bennett College in Greensboro. Dawkins previously served as the school’s interim president. She will become the 18^th president at Bennett immediately.

ESCC Announces New President

Enterprise State Community College has selected Matt Rogers to become the school’s new president. The Alabama school announced the decision in early August. Rogers will begin on September 1^st.

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New Interim President Appointed at Florida Memorial U

FMU has announced that former Cheyney University President, Dr. Michelle Howard-Vital, will become the university’s new interim president. The board of trustees is conducting a national search for a permanent replacement.

Folsom Lake College Appoints Next President

Mr. Whitney Yamamura has been appointed the third president of Folsom Lake College. Whitney previously served as the interim president of Sacramento City College. He will begin his post immediately.

Kentucky State Elects President

Dr. Christopher Brown II has been elected the next president at Kentucky State University. Dr. Brown will be the 18^th president at the school and replaces Dr. Aaron Thompson, who has served as interim president since May 2016.

Ohio Dominican University Names New President

The Board of Trustees at Ohio Dominican University has announced that Dr. Robert Gervasi will become the school’s 16^th president. Gervasi previously served as the president of Quincy University. He will take over for Dr. Peter Cimbolic, who retired in late June.

Pacifica Promotes from Within

Pacifica Graduate Institute has promoted acting provost, Dr. Joseph Cambray, to become the school’s new president and CEO. Founding president, Dr. Stephen Aizenstate, will serve as Pacifica’s chancellor.

New President at Sacramento City College

The Los Rios Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Mr. Michael Gutierrez to become the next president at Sacramento City College. Gutierrez will become the first Latino president at the school.

St. Francis College Announces New President

Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz has been announced as the 19^th president at St. Francis College. Dr. Martinez-Sainz is currently the provost and VP for academic affairs at Otterbein University. He will begin in September.

New President at St. Joseph’s

St. Joseph’s College has announced the appointment of Dr. Donald Boomgaarden as the school’s next president. Boomgaarden became St. Joseph’s eighth president in early July.

Dr. Ames Named New President of Sage Colleges

The Sage Colleges have picked Dr. Christopher Ames to become the next leader of the college’s three schools. Dr. Sage was previously provost at Shepherd University in West Virginia.

New President Announced at Tusculum College

The Board of Trustees at Tusculum College has named Dr. James Hurley to become the school’s next president. Hurley previously served as president at the University of Pikeville. He will step in for retiring president, Dr. Nancy B. Moody, on October 1^st.

UIW Announces Next President

The University of the Incarnate World has announced Dr. Thomas Evans to become the school’s 10^th president. Dr. Evans previously served as president of Carroll College, in Helena Montana.

Virginia Union Appoints New President

Virginia Union has selected Dr. Hakim J Lucas as its next president. Lucas will become the school’s 13^th president and replaces Joseph F. Johnson, who has been acting president since July of last year. He will begin as president in September.

Retirements

Cal State Bakersfield President to Retire

Dr. Horace Mitchell has announced that he will retire as president from CSUB. He has served as acting president for the past 13 years. Dr. Mitchell plans to retire in June of 2018, allowing time for CSUB to find his successor.

Idaho State University President Retiring

Dr. Arthur Vailas, president of Idaho State, will retire from the school at the end of the academic year. Vailas has served the school for the past 12 years, and was ISU’s 12^th president.

Lewis-Clark State College President Announces Retirement

Dr. Tony Fernandez has announced the date of his upcoming retirement from Lewis-Clark State College. June 17^th, 2018 will be Dr. Fernandez’s last day at the school, after serving as president since March of 2011. Dr. Fernandez said, “What I’m Happy about is the college is in very, very strong hands with the rest of the administration, but especially the faculty and staff.”

President Retiring from Lock Haven University

Dr. Michael Fiorentino Jr. will retire from Lock Haven University in March of 2018. Dr. Fiorentino has served as president since 2011. He said, “It is time for us to shift our focus to spending more time with cherished friends and family and to enjoy the time for new adventures.”

Loyola University New Orleans President Retiring

Rev. Kevin Wildes has penned a letter to the Loyola University community announcing his retirement from the school. He plans to leave office by fall of 2018, upon the appointment of his successor.

Mansield University President Announces Retirement

The president of Mansfield University has announced his plans to retire in June of next year. General Fran Hendricks, who has led the school since 2013, has announced he will step down at the end of this academic year to spend more time with his family. The school will name an interim president to serve after Hendricks’ retirement.

Royce to Retire from Mississippi College

Dr. Lee Royce has announced his retirement from Mississippi College. Dr. Royce has served as president since 2002, and plans to step down in May of 2018.

Otterbein President Retiring

Dr. Kathy Krendl, president of Otterbein University, has announced her plans to retire. Krendl has served as president since July of 2009. She will retire in June of 2018, at the end of the academic year. A search for Krendl’s replacement will begin this fall.

Pennsylvania State System Chancellor to Retire

Mr. Frank T. Brogan, Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, has notified the board of governors that he plans to retire immediately. Brogan announced his retirement after an internal review, concentrating on the state’s educational system, was released. An interim chancellor will be named after a national search for Brogan’s successor.

Santa Fe CC President Retiring

After four years of serving Santa Fe Community College, Mr. Randy Grissom, has announced his retirement. Grissom has served the school in teaching and administrative positions for the past 22 years. He will retire this October.

Resignations

President Resigns from North Carolina CC System

Dr. James C. Williamson has unexpectedly resigned from the North Carolina Community college System. Williamson served less than a year as president. The Board of Trustees has named current chief of staff, Jennifer Haygood, as interim president.

Tate Resigns from Roanoke Chowan Community College

After 11 months as president of Roanoke Chowan CC, Dr. Jimmy Tate, has resigned from the school. Tate was the eighth president of RCCC. He took over for Dr. Michael Elam, who retired in June of last year.

DHS Proposal May Drastically Affect International Students

July 25, 2017/in University Highlights

The Washington Post reports that the Department of Homeland Security has drafted a preliminary proposal that would require international students to reapply annually for permission to study in the United States. The proposal could hamper the admission of foreign students to colleges and universities by adding additional costs, paperwork and an annual refiling of status to those seeking education in America.

In a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 12 higher education associations and organizations noted “serious concern” with the proposed changes. “When faced with up to a 400 percent increase in fees, redundant forms, and restrictive validity periods, an applicant will likely opt to pursue their studies elsewhere,” the letter reads.

It also points to the fact that global competition is increasing for international students with “countries like Canada and Germany publicly advertising their welcoming policies in an attempt to become a destination of choice. It is imperative that our country’s visa issuance procedures and duration of stay policies are efficient and streamlined, not burdensome and prohibitive.”

Across the country, international students add to a university’s global experience, but they also pay more expensive out-of-state tuition, providing considerable financial incentives to U.S. colleges and universities by helping those institutions struggling with overall funding. The letter points out that “though international students make up only five percent of postsecondary students in the country, they contributed $32 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 400,000 jobs just in the last academic year alone.”

Department of Homeland Security officials say the proposal seeks to enhance national security by closely monitoring foreign students. According to The Washington Post, some at DHS believe that student visas are too open-ended in how they allow students to transfer from one program to another. Officials say the plan is still in its initial stages and could require regulatory changes that would take a minimum of 18 months. DHS spokesman David Lapan said, “DHS is exploring a variety of measures that would ensure that our immigration programs—including programs for international students studying in the United States—operate in a manner that promotes the national interest, enhances national security and public safety and ensures the integrity of our immigration system.”

“Non-Traditional” Students the New Majority

July 18, 2017/in University Highlights

The demographic profile of students at US colleges and universities has changed dramatically in the past decade. The majority of college students have shifted to an older, more diversified pool who are seeking degrees while juggling other responsibilities, such as work and family commitments. They are known as non-traditional students and are now the majority of students attending college.

Certain characteristics of “non-traditional” students:

25 or older when they finished their bachelor’s degree
Received a GED or equivalent
Employed full time while in school
Enrolled as a part-time student while pursuing a degree
Financially independent of parents

According to a 2012 report by the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, non-traditional students have been inadequately served by higher education institutions, despite their growing numbers. A study by US News showed that non-traditional students cited a lack of scheduling flexibility and personalized pace of instruction as variables that negatively affected their learning experience.

Ways higher education institutions are adapting to “non-traditional students”:

Increase in online learning programs
Accelerated Course Formats
Wider availability of services and scheduling
Multiple options for financial aid and billing

As jobs and careers continue to change, so too will the integration of programs that offer multiple options of learning to the evolving student in higher education.

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18 States Sue Department of Education

July 7, 2017/in University Highlights

18 democratic attorneys general from states across the country have filed a lawsuit against the Education Department and Secretary Devos to enforce a ruling on protecting students from predatory loans. “The borrower defense” rule was installed by the Obama administration to allow students who felt they were defrauded to get their student loans potentially forgiven. Last month, the Education Department rescinded the “borrower defense rule” before it went into effect in July, citing a federal lawsuit filed by a group of for-profit colleges against the law.

The lawsuit filed Thursday argues that Devos broke federal rules by stopping the ruling without enough public input or justification. The suit also argues that for-profit schools benefit from taxpayer funded loans while “the students themselves struggle under the burden of a student loan debt they cannot afford” after working towards degrees “that may be of questionable value to them.” According to Inside Higher Ed, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy said the Trump administration and Devos have sided with the for-profit sector over students since “day one.”

The education secretary criticized the rule, saying it “puts taxpayers on the hook for significant costs” and called it “a muddled process that’s unfair to students and schools.” A spokeswoman for Devos said the lawsuit is “ideologically driven.” Devos plans to establish a new committee to reconsider the issue completely.

College President’s Report – July 2017

July 1, 2017/in President's Report 2017

Appointments

Benedict College Appoints New President

Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis has been announced as the next president of Benedict College. Dr. Artis will make history by becoming the first woman to lead the school located in Columbia, South Carolina. She will replace Dr. David Swinton in September. Swinton is retiring after 23 years at the school.

Permanent Position for Bennett College President

The board of trustees at Bennett College have appointed Dr. Phyllis Dawkins to become the school’s eighteenth president. Dawkins previously served as interim president, starting last August.

Bishop State CC Names New President

Bishop State has named Dr. Reginald Sykes to become the school’s next president. Dr. Sykes had been the interim president since February 2016. Sykes will begin immediately as the permanent president.

City College of San Francisco Taps New Chancellor

Dr. Mark Rocha has been appointed chancellor of the City College of San Francisco. Rocha was previously the president of Pasadena City College. Rocha is the first permanent chancellor at CCSF since 2015.

Elms College Announces 11^th President

Dr. Harry E. Dumay has been named the next president of Elms College. Dumay was previously the senior vice president for finance and CFO at St. Anslem College. Dr. Dumay replaces Sister Mary Reap, who retired in May.

Cox College Promotes Next President from Within

Dr. Amy DeMelo has been announced as the next president of Cox College in Springfield, Missouri. DeMelo has served as the VP of academic affairs and institutional effectiveness at Cox since 2014. She began as president in late June.

New Erie CC President

Dr. Dan Hocoy has started as president at Erie Community College. Hocoy was announced as the school’s 11^th president earlier this month.

Interim President Named at Kansas City Kansas CC

Dr. Jacqueline Vietti has been chosen by the KCKCC Board of Trustees to become the school’s interim president. Vietti previously served Butler County Community College as the school’s president. Former president, Doris Givens, was placed on administrative leave in mid-July.

Treadwell Appointed Interim President at Keene State College

Dr. Melinda Treadwell will begin as Keene State College’s interim president on July 31^st. Treadwell replaces Dr. Anne E. Huot, who announced her resignation in June. Treadwell previously served as provost at Keene State college and has a doctorate from Dartmouth.

Lake Superior State Announces Interim President

The board of trustees at Lake Superior State University have tapped Dr. Peter T. Mitchell to begin as interim president. Mitchell replaces Dr. Thomas Pleger, who passed away in May. Dr. Mitchell previously served as president of Albion college for 10 years, from 1997-2007.

Metropolitan CC-Penn Valley Names New President

Dr. Tyjaun Lee has been announced as the next president of Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley. Dr. Lee will take over for Dr. Seabrooks who left the school in July 2016. Lee is expected to begin in early August.

Morehouse Alum Takes Over as Interim President

Harold Martin Jr. will step in as interim president at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Martin is a graduate of Morehouse College, and joined the school’s board in 2014. Martin takes over for William Taggart, who passed away in June.

Interim President Named at Northeast State CC

Mr. James King has taken over as interim president at Northeast State Community College. King previously served as Executive Vice Chancellor for the Tennessee Board of Regents. He began his tenure July 1^st following the retirement of Dr. Janice Gilliam.

Dr. Medica Promoted at Penn State Schuykill

Dr. Darcy Medica has been named Penn State Shuykill’s next president. Medica is currently the director of academic affairs at the school. She will begin her tenure on August 1^st.

Research College of Nursing Announces Next President

Dr. Thad Wilson has been named the next president of the Research College of Nursing in Kansas City. Wilson replaces Nancy Debasio, who retired after 28 years at the school.

RIT President to Begin Tenure

Dr. David C. Munson has started as Rochester Institute of Technology’s 10^th president. Munson replaces Dr. Bill Destler, who retired in June. Dr. Munson previously served as the dean of engineering at Michigan.

Dr. Eighmy Named President of UT- San Antonio

The Board of Regents for the University of Texas System has named Dr. Taylor Eighmy as the next president at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Eighmy currently serves at UT-Knoxville as the school’s vice chancellor for research and engagement. He will begin as president in September.

Retirements

Bethune-Cookman President Announces Early Retirement

Dr. Edison O. Jackson, president of Bethune-Cookman University, as announced his early retirement from the school. Jackson’s retirement comes after 2 years of operating at a loss and a controversial dorm project. Johnson has served the school since 2012.

Wiley College President Retiring

Dr. Haywood L Strickland has announced that he will retire from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. Strickland said, “I’m getting old.” Dr. Strickland is the longest serving president in Wiley’s history with 18 years at the helm. He will retire at the end of the next academic year.

Resignations

Briar Cliff President Resigns

Dr. Hamid Shirvani has announced his resignation from Briar Cliff University. Shirvani began as the school’s 10th president in 2016. He cited “a combination of family, personal and professional considerations” as the reasons for leaving.

Shaw University President Leaving for Position at Howard

President of Shaw University, Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy, has left the school to become the executive VP and chief operating officer at Howard University. Dubroy served as president of Shaw for two years.

Chancellor Announces Resignation from UH-Hilo

Dr. Donald Straney has announced his decision to resign as chancellor from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Straney is leaving for a position in the UH System as VP of academic planning and policy. He plans to resign on August 1^st.

Evansville President to Resign

The University of Evansville’s president, Dr. Thomas Kazee, has announced he will leave the school in May of 2018. Kazee has served the school for the past 8 years.

Devos Halts Two Regulations on For-Profit Schools

June 23, 2017/in University Highlights

The Department of Education will roll back two regulations from the Obama administration aimed to protect students and hold for-profit colleges more accountable. The U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos said, “Our mission in the student loan servicing procurement process is to provide high quality customer service to federal loan borrowers in a cost-efficient and effective manner.” She continued, adding “Unfortunately, this process has been subjected to a myriad of moving deadlines, changing requirements and lack of consistent objectives.”

The Department is reworking the “gainful employment” rule that was passed in 2010. The rule required programs at for-profit higher education institutions and nondegree programs at community colleges to meet minimum requirements in relation to the debt-to-income rates of their graduates. Programs that consistently failed to meet the minimum requirements would potentially lose federal financial aid, thus risking closure. The rule was designed to weed out programs that burden students with unmanageable student loan debt and few quality job prospects.

The second rule, “borrower defense to repayment,” was intended to go in place this July. The regulation was put into place to make it easier for students who said they were defrauded by their schools to get their loans potentially forgiven. Though the Department of Education has completely rescinded this rule, it did release a statement saying that the 16,000 borrower defense claims currently under review will be processed. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Devos said, “We are working with servicers to get these loans discharged as expeditiously possible. Some borrowers should expect to obtain discharges within the next several weeks.”

Several Democratic lawmakers quickly decried the moves. According to Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, “Her (Devos) actions to eliminate important protections in higher education will harm students and waste millions in taxpayer dollars.” Additionally, advocacy groups vowed to fight the new change. Harvard University’s Project on Predatory Student Lending vowed to “use all legal means” to combat the delay of the borrower defense rule.

Critics of the gainful employment rule are mostly for-profits, who say it unfairly singles them out, but does not punish underperforming programs at nonprofit institutions. Devos stated that prior rulemaking “missed an opportunity to get it right. The result is a muddled process that’s unfair to students and schools, and puts taxpayers on the hook for significant costs.” The department is planning to start drafting new regulations this October.

Penn State Initiates Radical Changes to Greek Life

June 8, 2017/in University Highlights

The Board of Trustees at Penn State has announced all Greek life at the school will be reformed with initiatives that transfer all disciplinary responsibility to the University. The school has accepted that the self-governance model of Greek life has failed to regulate hazing, underage drinking, and sexual assault. Eric Barron, Penn State’s president, said “We are going to take much more control of the Greek system.”

The decision comes after the death of 19-year-old sophomore Timothy Piazza, who fell while intoxicated and sustained serious head injuries. An investigation into the death of Piazza led school officials to discover “a persistent pattern of serious alcohol abuse, hazing and the use and sale of illicit drugs” at the fraternity. The fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, has been permanently banned as a chapter at the university. Barron said, “I am resolved to turn the pain and anguish radiating through our entire community into decisive action and reform, concentrating on the safety and well-being of students at Penn State.”

At Penn State, the new ruling is an effort to get Greek organizations to recognize the best of their missions—leadership and philanthropy—rather than the secretive, dangerous and unhealthy aspects. New regulations listed by Penn State include:

University control of the fraternity and sorority organizational misconduct and adjudication process.
Hazing that involves alcohol, physical abuse, or any behavior that puts a student’s mental or physical health at risk will result in swift permanent revocation of University recognition for the chapter involved.
Monitoring of social events by University staff members.
Beer and wine will only be permitted, no hard liquor or kegs.
Organizations may no longer hold all day events and each chapter is limited to 10 socials with alcohol per semester, instead of the current 45.

Fraternity culture has continued to frustrate colleges and universities across the country. The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) has acknowledged that fraternities’ self-governance model is broken and has failed to prevent problems on campuses nationwide. According to Inside Higher Ed, in the past academic year, at least 80 fraternity chapters were suspended or investigated over allegations of racism, hazing, alcohol abuse and sexual assault. The Huffington Post found that over 30 fraternities were suspended just in the month of February.

As fraternities and sororities continue to face increased scrutiny, it seems many schools are looking to fix a broken system. According to Emily Pualwan, executive director of Hazing Prevention, “A lot of institutions are looking at what Penn State does and will look over the next few years at the effectiveness of these measures, if it can be measured.” If Penn State’s institutionally run fraternal system does work, it may set a new precedent for how Greek-life operates on campuses in the future.

Supporters and Critics Speak Out on Purdue-Kaplan Merger

June 6, 2017/in Emerging Technology

Purdue University recently announced its intention to acquire the for-profit Kaplan University system. If approved, the move would set a major precedent in the integration of for-profits with traditional colleges and universities. Purdue President and former Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels said, “A public university coming together with an established online university I think is by any definition a national first.”

The Kaplan system, which includes online learning programs, 15 campuses, 32,000 enrolled students and 3,000 employees, was purchased from its parent company, Graham Holdings, for $1 in a revenue sharing agreement that allows current Kaplan officials to continue running the new entity. Under the terms of the agreement, Kaplan will receive 12.5% of the public, nonprofit benefit corporation’s yearly revenue. If the merger is approved, Purdue will solidify its position as the first large flagship university to merge with a major for-profit player in online education.

Critics in higher education see the new partnership as a way for Kaplan to rebrand by becoming a non-profit and attaching itself to a reputable university. Bob Shireman of the Century Foundation—a think tank that investigates for-profit institutions—told the USA Today that the deal is like a bad restaurant being able to claim new ownership in order to improve its reputation without making any additional changes. Nonprofit schools are not subject to the strict regulations that have been placed on for-profit institutions in recent years. Critics also point out that Kaplan has been the focal point of past government investigations and lawsuits.

Many of the faculty at Purdue University disagree with the decision. The Purdue University Senate has passed a resolution against the Kaplan merger condemning the Board of Trustees for entering into a deal with little faculty input. Some worry that the Purdue brand will be diluted and students will be left with insignificant degrees. Bill Mullen, a Purdue professor, criticized the school by saying, “They (faculty) were never consulted about this plan, even though it is their work and excellence that has made Purdue one of the elite Universities in the world. Daniels (Purdue’s President) dirty deal with Kaplan permanently stains Purdue’s academic reputation and ruthlessly exploits the labor of its students, staff, and faculty.”

Donald Graham of Graham Holdings, Kaplan’s parent company, says Kaplan and Purdue “share the critical mission of expanding access to education,” and views the deal as mutually beneficial. Purdue will be able to tap into a new online market and student demographic, while Kaplan will become part of a respected public Purdue system. Proponents believe the merger will provide new opportunities for nontraditional as well as former students who want to resume educations they previously put on hold. The acquisition depends on approval from both state and federal regulators, including the Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission. If approved, the deal has the potential to change the way traditional higher education institutions operate, with more for-profit to nonprofit partnerships likely.

For updates on the Kaplan deal, changes in higher education administrators, and school accreditation info visit our website at hepinc.com.

College President’s Report – June 2017

June 3, 2017/in President's Report 2017

Appointments

Bergen Community College Appoints Interim President

Michael Redmon has been appointed as the interim president at Bergen CC. The change comes after trustees at the school voted to fire former president, Kaye Walter, after six years at the school. Redmon is a former college administrator at schools in Florida and Indiana.

Cheney University Names Interim President

Cheney University has announced that Mr. Aaron A. Walton will become the school’s interim president. Walton will take over for Frank G. Pogue, who has been interim president since November 2014.

Great Basin College Appoints Next President

A new president has been appointed at Great Basin College. Ms. Joyce Helens was picked out of three finalists to take over at the school. Helens was previously president of St. Cloud Technical and Community College in Minnesota. She will begin August 1^st.

New President Named at Jackson State University

Dr. William Bynum Jr. has been named the next president at Jackson State University by the school’s Board of Trustees. The move is controversial because Bynum was not one of the three initial finalists for the position. Bynum is currently the president of Mississippi Valley State University and will begin in July.

Labette Community College Announces Next President

Mr. Mark Watkins has been named the new president at Labette Community College. Watkins is currently the Dean of Instruction at Labette. He will begin as president immediately.

Lane CC President to Take Office

Lane Community College has a new President in office, Dr. Margaret Hamilton. Hamilton was previously the VP of academic affairs at Camden County College in New Jersey. Dr. Hamilton replaces Mary Spilde, who retired in June.

Permanent Position for Chancellor at Louisiana Delta Community College

Dennis Epps has been approved by Louisiana Delta CC’s Board to become the school’s permanent Chancellor. Mr. Epps has served as interim Chancellor since 2005.

MCC-Kansas City Announces New Chancellor

Dr. Kimberly Beatty has been named the 8^th chancellor at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City. Beatty is currently serving as vice chancellor for instructional services and chief academic officer at Houston Community College. Dr. Beatty will replace Mark S. James, who retired at the end of June.

New President Announced at Moreno Valley College

Dr. Robin Steinbeck has been named the new president at Moreno Valley College. Steinbeck is currently the school’s vice president of academic affairs, and will take over as acting president on July 1^st.

Interim President Appointed at Prairie View A & M

A new interim president has been named at Prairie View A &M. Dr. Ruth Simmons will take over the job on July 1^st. Simmons was the first ever black president of an Ivy League school, serving Brown University up until 2012. Prairie View’s longtime president, George Wright, said he was stepping down to concentrate on teaching.

St. Cloud Technical College Names Interim President

Ms. Lauri Kloos will become the interim president of St. Cloud Technical and Community College on August 1^st. Kloos is currently the vice president of administration and CFO at the school. She will replace Joyce Helens, who has accepted the presidential position with Great Basin College in Nevada.

Shawnee CC Selects Alumna as Next President

The SCC Board of Trustees has picked Dr. Peggy F. Bradford to become the school’s eighth president. Bradford attended Shawnee Community College, and earned her doctorate from Northern Illinois University. She replaces Tim Bellamy, who retired in April.

Slippery Rock University Names Interim President

The Slippery Rock Board of Governors has selected Phillip K. Way, current provost and VP for academic affairs, to become the next acting president at the school. Mr. way is replacing Cheryl Norton, who retired as president in June.

St. Petersburg College Promotes from Within

Dr. Tonjua Williams has been announced as the next president at St. Petersburg College in Florida. Williams is currently senior vice president of student services and has worked at the school for 30 years. She will replace Dr. Bill Law, who retired at the end of June.

First Latino President Named at SUNY Albany

Dr. Havidan Rodriguez has been announced as the next president at SUNY Albany. Rodriguez is currently the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Rodriguez will begin his post in September.

Interim President Receives Permanent Position at Maine-Augusta

Dr. Rebecca Wyke has been appointed the new president at the University of Maine at Augusta. Wyke previously served as the school’s interim president in 2015. She replaces Dr. James Conneely, who resigned suddenly in April.

New President Announced at The University of St. Thomas

Dr. Richard Ludwick has been named the next president at The University of St. Thomas. Dr. Ludwick was previously the president of the Independent Colleges of Indiana. Ludwick will succeed Dr. Robert Ivany, who retired in June.

Washington College Appoints Next President

Washington College has announced that Mr. Kurt M. Landgraf will become the school’s new president. Landgraf will begin on July 1^st following the resignation of former president, Ms. Sheila Blair.

Retirements

Bluffton University President to Retire in 2018

Dr. James M. Harder has announced that he plans to retire in June of next year. Harder has served the university since 2006, and created 14 new academic programs at the school in that time.

Carteret Community College President Retires

Dr. Kerry Youngblood has retired from Carteret CC. Youngblood said at his last meeting, “Thank you all for what a privilege it’s been.” Dr. John Hauser will replace Youngblood as the school’s president on July 3^rd.

Northeast State Community College President Announces Retirement Amid Investigation

Dr. Janice Gilliam has announced her immediate retirement from Northeast State CC. The announcement comes on the heels of an investigation by the Tennessee Board of Regents into Gilliam and the school.

Retirement Announced at Thomas Edison State

Dr. George A. Pruitt has announced that he will retire in December of 2017. Pruitt has served the school since 1982. He said, “Serving as president of this wonderful university has been the single, greatest privilege of my professional life.”

Ventura County CC President to Retire

The interim president of Ventura County CC will retire on June 30^th. Dr. Bernie Luskin has served the school since May 2015, and will be honored with a ceremony.

Resignations/Firings

Bentley President Stepping Down

Dr. Gloria C. Larson, president of Bentley College, has announced that she will step down in late June of 2018. Larson has been at the school for over a decade. “It has been the highest honor of my long and varied career to serve as Bentley’s 7^th president,” she said.

Carnegie Mellon President Resigns

Dr. Subra Suresh resigned from Carnegie Mellon College on June 30^th. Suresh has served CMU for the past four years. Current provost and chief academic officer, Dr. Farnam Jahanian, has stepped in as interim president.

Clarion University President Leaving after Next Year

Dr. Karen Whitney has announced that she will step down at the end of the next academic school year. She has been president of Clarion University since 2009.

Ferrum President Fired after One Year

Ferrum Board of Trustees have announced that Dr. Joseph Spooner has been released from his contract at the school. Spooner was at the school for less than a year. Chris Burnley, vice president for business and finance, will serve on an interim basis.

Harvard President Stepping Down

The President of Harvard University has announced that she will resign at the end of the next academic year. Drew Gilpin Faust has served the school since the summer of 2007. She is the first female president of the school.

Resignation at Keene State College

Dr. Anne E. Huot has announced that she will resign as the school’s president on July 31^st, 2017. “It has been a privilege to serve this great college,” she said. Huot plans to stay at the school as a biology professor.

Firing at Luna Community College

Dr. Leroy Sanchez has been fired from his position as president at Luna Community College. Sanchez started at the school in 2015. The school’s hiring practices have been questioned since Sanchez has been president.

Motlow State President Resigns

The president of Motlow State Community College has resigned. The resignation comes on the eve of an audit that accused President Tony Kinkel of using “fear and intimidation” while leading the college. Kinkel has been president at the school since August 2015.

Northern Illinois University President Resigns

President Doug Baker Resigned in mid-June after an investigation concluded that he had bypassed bidding requirements when hiring consultants there. Baker denied any wrongdoing. He began as president in 2013.

Chancellor Fired at Oakland Community College

Oakland CC president, Dr. Timothy Meyer, has been fired from the school. Meyer is still employed by the school, however Peter Provenzano is now the interim chancellor.

Oklahoma State at Oklahoma City President Resigns

President Natalie Shirley has announced that she will resign at the end of December, 2017. Shirley has been president of the school since 2011. A national search is currently underway to choose a new president.

Johnson Fired from Tuskegee University

Dr. Brian L. Johnson has been dismissed as president from Tuskegee University. The school has been struggling financially with long-term debt. Johnson was the seventh president at the school.

Urban Resigns from West Shore Community College

Dr. Kenneth Urban has resigned as president from West Shore CC after two years at the helm. Board of Trustees Chairman, Bruce Smith said, “We came to the decision mutually.” VP of Administrative Services, Scott Ward, will serve as the interim president.

Massive For-Profit to Nonprofit Conversion being Reviewed by Feds and Accreditors

May 12, 2017/in University Highlights

In March, The Dream Center Foundation announced its plan to purchase the majority of campuses owned by the struggling Education Management Corporation. The Los Angeles based philanthropic organization currently funds programs across the country for under privileged people. The Education Management Corporation (EDMC) was once one of the largest for-profit college chains in the country, with more than 150,000 students. According to Randall Barton, managing director of the Dream Center Foundation, the acquiring of EDMC aligns with the foundations desire to use education as a means of transforming lives.

The move would be one of the largest for-profit changeovers into nonprofit schools on record. The campuses being bought include Argosy University, South University, and the Art Institutes. In the coming months, it will be up to the Federal Education Department, under new Secretary Betsy DeVos, and EDMC’s institutional accreditors to determine the fate of the deal. According to the Higher Education Directory, Argosy University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, while South University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. With multiple accreditors, EDMC’s conversion to a nonprofit entity will be that much more complicated.

This past week, 30 consumer, student, and veterans’ groups wrote an open letter to Secretary Devos, urging her to impose conditions on the sale of EDMC. The letter states, “Congress has vested authority in you, as the Secretary of Education, to approve changes in ownership and control for institutions of higher education that wish to continue to participate in federal student loan and grant programs. Given the deeply troubling past performance of EDMC, the proposed transaction should not be rubber stamped behind closed doors.” The letter also asks the approval be conditioned based on three questions:

Whether the operations of the schools going forward are likely to avoid the predatory practices that plagued the company previously.
Whether the claim of a nonprofit control structure is justified and will set and maintain a path for the schools that is in the best interest of students and taxpayers.
If taxpayers are adequately protected against financial insolvency that could trigger immense public costs.

Many are concerned that the Dream Center will continue to operate the institutions for sale in the same manner as before. The letter notes that if change of ownership is approved, it should be done on a provisional basis, and that the Department of Education has the opportunity to “prevent another repeat of the scandalous mistreatment of students and taxpayers.” The decision made by the Department of Education is expected this summer, and will set an important precedent for how the Trump administration approaches the issue of for-profit to nonprofit college conversions.

New Student Debt for Mortgage Swap Program

May 4, 2017/in Emerging Technology

Last week Fannie Mae announced an expansion of its student loan refinance program and shed light on new policies designed to help borrowers with student debt become qualified for mortgage loans. “We understand the significant role that a monthly student loan payment plays in a potential home buyer’s consideration to take on a mortgage, and we want to be part of the solution,” said Jonathan Lawless, vice president of customer solutions at Fannie Mae.

Fannie Mae’s new expansion includes a student loan cash-out refinance that offers homeowners a new way to pay off high interest student debt. The program works by homeowners refinancing their homes, and the bank sending the money to the student lender to completely pay off at least one loan. Currently, interest rates for home financing are below 4 percent, meaning it could save a borrower money (many student loans are topping 7 percent). For some, it may be a faster way to consolidate student loan debt at a lower rate.

However, by moving debt from a student loan to a home loan, borrowers lose protection. Student loans usually offer the option of an income-driven repayment plan or a deferral for financial difficulties. Mortgages do not. Rohit Chopra, senior fellow at the Consumer Federation of America, says “Once you refinance and put it into your mortgage, you’re putting your house at risk.” Chopra expects the first users of the system will be parents who took out loans for their children’s education. These borrowers are more likely to pay high interest rates and have plenty of home equity.

Another new policy is a ‘debt paid by others’ solution that excludes non-mortgage debt — like car loans, credit cards, and student loans — paid by someone else (steadily for 12 months) from a borrower’s debt-to-income ratio. This is designed to improve the debt ratios of young buyers and widen their eligibility to qualify for a home loan.

According to Lawless, Fannie Mae started the new programs to help offset the negative effect student debt was having on the housing market. “We arrived at these product ideas after seeing the size of student loan debt, which is $1.4 trillion. But there’s another number to pay attention to – the $8 trillion in home equity,” Lawless said. “There is enough housing equity in California alone to pay off the student debt of the entire nation. We wanted to find a way to unlock that equity.”

Some lenders aren’t as enthusiastic about the changes. According to the Chicago Tribune, Steve Stamets, senior loan officer with Mortgage Link, worries about the sheer size of some student’s debts. He said previously these applicants couldn’t be approved under the old rules and now will qualify under the new program. If borrowers have trouble making full payments on mortgages, they could end up in default on their home mortgages. Fannie Mae expects mortgages that originate using the new system to have low default rates, and notes applicants must still meet regular credit score criteria. Rhohit Chopra, with the Consumer Federation of America, says “the jury is still out” on whether the program is a good thing. “New products and financial innovation can help borrowers save money,” he says, “but they can also be prone to abuse.”

Mobile Apps and Higher Education

College President’s Report – August 2017

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DHS Proposal May Drastically Affect International Students

“Non-Traditional” Students the New Majority

18 States Sue Department of Education

College President’s Report – July 2017

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Devos Halts Two Regulations on For-Profit Schools

Penn State Initiates Radical Changes to Greek Life

Supporters and Critics Speak Out on Purdue-Kaplan Merger

College President’s Report – June 2017

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Resignations/Firings

Massive For-Profit to Nonprofit Conversion being Reviewed by Feds and Accreditors

New Student Debt for Mortgage Swap Program

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