Download Leading Academic Change Vision Strategy Transformation Elaine P Maimon Carol Geary Schneider 9781620365687 Books

Product details Paperback 180 pages Publisher Stylus Publishing (January 3, 2018) Language English ISBN-10 1620365685

Leading Academic Change Vision Strategy Transformation Elaine P Maimon Carol Geary Schneider 9781620365687 Books Reviews

• I'd wrestled only abstractly with the notion of epistemology prior to picking up this book. It's a visionary text - visionary in the grand sense, but sensitive and insightful even in the peripheral areas of our understanding of the purpose of higher education.
  
  The book comes from the front lines, written by the president of a university that has made a strong commitment to the nurturing of first generation Exclamation Point students (students who are among the first in their communities, let alone their extended families, to pursue a degree). It makes a persuasive case for dismissing the shallowness of politicians who say "we need plumbers, not philosophers," arguing indisputably, practically, that we must engender a quest for truth in students who are now struggling in a "post-truth" world.
  
  The author makes the powerful, convincing contention that a hierarchical fallacy has academics thinking that "smarter" professors teach graduate courses and leave foundational instruction to adjuncts. It also makes its case that mentorship and the cultivation of knowledge and wisdom are inextricably intertwined, and that professors may well have the greatest impact at the beginning of a student's degree quest, not the end.
  
  There's an inspirational memoir underneath these chapters - the arc of a life for a woman who took on the challenges of motherhood while finding herself on less traveled paths and in all corners of the country, advancing over time to become a founder of the movement to strengthen Writing Across the Curriculum, to becoming president of a university that brings its highest commitment to underserved populations, and now as the author of an eminently accessible text that should have a national influence on professors, university administrators, and public policy makers alike.
• For anybody who is involved in, or cares about, the future of higher education, this is a must-read book. Dr. Maimon blends her research with personal experience in a manner that is both provocative and eye opening. Her ideas on introductory course instruction and Writing Across the Curriculum should be implemented at all schools of higher education. Discussion of how public universities provide large value-added changes and receive minimal resources should be taken to heart by elected officials in all states. That we cannot just train students for the first job is an example of how the author attempts to meld educational thought with our rapidly changing society. This book is well written and makes a valuable addition to any library.
  B Sandler
• During my education years and the years spent in my career, I have read many good books on improving education. Elaine Maimon's book, LEADING ACADEMIC CHANGE should have an impact on all educators, whether in the classroom or in administration. The book is easy to read and has important recommendations on how to make education more meaningful to everyone. It should be a "must read" for all educators.
• An exciting read. Who’d expect it from a work by an academic author on an academic subject? Dr. Maimon combines smart with heart. Includes practical steps along with the vision for restructuring higher ed to better serve today’s diverse college population. A must read for today’s education administrators and faculty.
• Finally, someone in higher education recognizes and points out that The Emperor Has No Clothes in several ways in this well-written book about transforming higher education, which by the way can be used at all levels of education.
  
  The focus on students-first is demonstrated by putting all students in a learning community and requiring freshman to enroll in college full time to enable them to engage in these learning communities is remarkable.
  
  Recognizing how important it is for freshman students to have the most skilled, full-time, experienced faculty to enable them to acquire a solid collegiate foundation rather than saving those professors for upper level courses only.
  
  The chapter on remediation is very important, including the understanding that students need to participate in ‘regular’ college experiences while at the same time addressing their need for remediation in some areas.
  
  Another area of importance in this book is how it highlights bridging the divide for students navigating their way from community college to university, especially for first generation college students. Being strategic and collaborative with community college partners proves this can and should be accomplished with a focus on students-first.
  
  The critical concept that many educators don’t understand is the impact of trauma and its effect on student learning. The focus on this topic is very insightful! This is an important book. Every one in education should read it.
• I’m not an academic, but I do have three (triplets) 17 year old grandsons who are getting ready to apply to college. Dr. Maimon’s book has shown me what is different in higher education today compared to what I experienced in college in the 1960s. On one hand, Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) is not something we did in the 1960s, but it makes so much sense. On the other hand, it was comforting to read that Dr. Maimon feels that some things that were important in the past are still important. On p. 125, she says “Liberal education is not a luxury.” That was true when I went to school, so I am glad to see that a University President still thinks a liberal education is important. Dr. Maimon combines the old and the new as a guide to those who are "Leading Academic Change." I shall recommend this book to all of my friends and family. Even the triplets.