Greetings!
From time to time I will use this medium to share some of my thoughts on issues occurring in higher education around the world. Yes, the world! It is time for those of us in the United States to realize that the world is getting smaller and the opportunity for global exchange of information is a “click” of a button away. We have a responsibility to the generations to come, to advance our knowledge base beyond our cultural boundaries. The beauty of our world as educators is, it is our responsibility to lead the charge for global understanding and awareness. As college/university student educators, what better platform than our professional association, ACPA to make this contribution to future generations of learners.
You have heard ACPA leadership over the past few years speak often and openly about our need for an aggressive global agenda (student affairs and services is the value component to today’s education). We are fortunate to have membership from 21 countries represented in ACPA and the numbers are growing. WHY, you might ask. My observation is based on a global understanding that the future is currently focused around a technological foundation that requires more than a basic high school education. With that said, what an opportunity for us as college/university student educators to work more closely with our academic colleagues to ensure student learning is taking place at a level that will in fact bring value to each country that embraces a level of educational attainment that will ensure(enhance) national security and build stronger world collaborations. Nearly every country in the world is making the “cultivation of human talent” a priority in the 21st century. This is most visible in China (1.4 billion citizens) and India (1.2 billion citizens), the two largest countries in the world. It is not the USA (308 million citizens).
A small team of ACPA educators (President Humphrey, Professor Hamrick and I) recently completed an educational fact finding tour throughout China and Hong Kong. We were so graciously hosted by Professor Johnston Huang, a member of the faculty at the United International College of Hong Kong Baptist University and Beijing Normal University in Zhuhai, Guangdong. Our purpose was to enhance our existing relationship with our colleagues from Hong Kong and the Peoples Republic of China (mainland). In addition to visiting seven universities, we were invited to an audience with the staff in the Ministry of Education (in Beijing) to discuss the formal process of establishing a meaningful exchange program that benefits ACPA members from China and abroad. We will continue to cultivate the relationship for the benefit of college/university student educators.
You will hear more about our fact finding tour in the months to come, culminating at the 89th Annual Convention of our association, March 4-7, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. This is a very special convention because of our partnership with NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation focused around a common theme: Inspiring Communities of Well Being. Join us for this historic event.
My final thought for this edition is about our dear friend and colleague Phyllis L. Mable, executive director of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, who died suddenly in May 9, 2012. The first of three memorial services was held at the National Center for Higher Education in Washington, D.C., USA and was attended by many of Phyllis’s friends, colleagues and acquaintances from around the USA. The program was uplifting and reflective of the kind of person Phyllis was and how she devoted her entire career to helping students. Even in retirement from the actual presence on a university campus, Phyllis was educating students in the restaurants she frequented, in the conversations she would initiate or through her work with CAS. We have seen the passing of a true devoted student affairs/services educator. If you missed the opportunity to show your respects for a legend in the field, there will be two other memorials; one at Longwood University, July 10th (where Phyllis served for 19 years as Vice President for Student Affairs) and March 4, 2013 at the ACPA/NIRSA Convention in Las Vegas (recognizing and honoring her as the 40th President of ACPA).
Until next time, have a relaxing summer.
Greg