Washington, D.C. – State college and university presidents will
convene next week to consider new approaches for the post-recession era,
how to harness the power of technology and opportunities for
reinventing their institutions for the 21st century.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will address the general
session on the final day of the November 22-24 annual meeting of the
American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in San
Antonio, Texas. He will discuss critical issues such as $4 billion in
new stimulus bill funding for education and the legislation moving
through Congress on student loans and grants.
Other speakers include:
Alan November, who was named one of the nation’s
fifteen most influential thinkers of the decade by Classroom Computer
Learning Magazine. His lecture, Rethinking Information and Communication Technologies for Presidents and Chancellors,
will offer his perspectives on challenges that modern higher education
leaders face regarding student learning. It will also address
imperatives for the future as well as observe changes in modern
leadership in light of changes in communication and unprecedented
challenges.
Joshua Cooper Ramo, Managing Director at Kissinger Associates. Ramo’s most recent book, The Age of the Unthinkable,
argues that we are now in the midst of hereto unforeseen change. As
Ramo questions conventional thinking, he puts forth a radical new model
for thriving in a world of unexpected events.
Diana Oblinger, president and CEO of EDUCAUSE.
Oblinger will lead an overview of how technology and new media are
driving change in presidential decision-making, transforming teaching
and learning, and how information technology can be used to help
presidents position their institutions for success.
John C. Hitt, President of the University of Central
Florida, will deliver the President-to-Presidents address: Discovering
Our Futures: the Power of Partnerships. The presentation will provide
insights for developing innovative and mutually beneficial partnerships
that are vital to delivering on institutional missions, driving economic
growth and fulfilling stewardship roles.
AASCU President Muriel Howard, who was appointed this year, will
kickoff the three-day event, which includes the presentation of The
Christa McAuliffe Award. The honor recognizes excellence in teacher
education by awarding programs that can document the success of their
graduates and the pupils they teach. This year’s recipient is the
University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Other topics for the session include: the legislative and economic
outlook, managing the influx of veteran and military students, how to
leverage public resources and student perceptions, rethinking
information and communication technologies, research agendas and teacher
education. For more information on the annual meeting please go to
aascu.org. Media wishing to attend Secretary Duncan’s address and
Q&A session should contact Susan Chilcott: 703-332-9351 (cell)
202-478-4661 (o) chilcotts@aascu.org
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AASCU is the leadership association of 430 public
colleges and universities Delivering America’s Promise through their
common commitments to access, affordability and educational opportunity.
Enrolling more than 3 million students, these institutions fulfill the
expectations of a public university by working for the public good
through education, stewardship and engagement, thereby improving the
lives of people in their community, their region and their state.