Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education (ACE) joins your host Dr. Noreen Golfman, Studiosity Academic Advisory Board member and former Provost and Vice President Academic at Memorial University.
In this week's conversation, the two leaders reflect on the complex and challenging landscape of higher education policy in the United States.
Ted's journey to leadership: From early dreams of becoming a high school math teacher, Ted switched to life as an economics professor, before his Ph.D. in the history of American education followed by 10 years as a professor at Dartmouth College. This was then followed by time as Dean of the School of Education at UCLA, then lead of the NewSchools Venture Fund, in addition to his role as Undersecretary of Education to the Obama administration. This varied career to date certainly paved the way for Ted’s current role and challenge as President of the American Council of Education.
What personal item did Ted bring to this week’s episode? A writ from the Supreme Court of the United States, relating to a 1992 lawsuit filed against him and the regents of the University of California. Hear Ted’s story on this week's episode, on why he sees the writ as a marker, a point of pride, and a personal opportunity.
More from Ted and Noreen's conversation, next.
The Problem with Higher Ed's Narrative
Ted argues that higher education must undergo a fundamental shift in how it presents itself to the public, noting the ubiquity of "the same students standing picturesquely behind Bunsen burners and test tubes."
“Rather than starting at the top with, ‘look at all of our great research’, we should start at the bottom."
“Look at the work we do with first generation students who are coming to college and who we're going to make sure graduate.”
Ted Mitchell, President at the American Council on Education, joins host Dr. Noreen Golfman, Studiosity Academic Advisory Board Member.
Job One: Prioritizing Student Success
"When we admit a student, I think we need to understand that we're committing to their success. We're not just giving them a chance".
Ted argues that the public needs to see universities demonstrate success and show results - including “the social mobility that comes with that success” - before higher education can (re)gain the public trust.
“Job One: Committing to student success. And if we are able to show that, that will give us permission to do all the other things."
"But we can't do it the other way around. Research is never going to give us permission to educate undergraduates. But educating undergraduates is going to give us permission to do research."
Ted Mitchell, President at the American Council on Education, joins host Dr. Noreen Golfman, Studiosity Academic Advisory Board Member.
Measuring Impact and Social Mobility, with Revised Carnegie Classifications
"Out of the 4,000 institutions... 487 institutions accept a broad range of students and provide them with an education that gives them higher than average earnings".
Ted explains ACE’s revision of the Carnegie Classifications for higher education. Previously based on research and degree levels, the new system introduces a "student access and earnings category" that evaluates every institution in the U.S.
"There hasn't been a lot of focus, or really any, on this issue of student success."
“So we're trying to promote those institutions and help them get some publicity. We've had lots of great regional stories. Ball State is one of the examples... they're knocking the ball out of the park in terms of accepting a diverse student body and giving them access to an education that propels them into economic success.”
“So the more we can identify those institutions, the more I think we can build up trust from the bottom up and not focus so much on an [Ivy League] tier of institutions. That's not where most of the students are going. Most of the students are going to these opportunity colleges and universities.”
“We're going to have a higher education system that is much more centered on learners than on institutions.”
🎧 🎙️ Listen to more episodes from Reimagining Higher Education, a leadership series from Studiosity on evidence and hope for change in the higher education sector.
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