Blue Beyond Consulting’s Post

A very interesting read on IT Leadership in the higher education marketplace right now - for those who don't work in roles like these, taking the time to imagine the lift necessary to support an entire infrastructure at a college or university (or system!) is mind-blowing. Anthology Inc works with IT divisions every day, and we have so much respect for the work they do (and work collaboratively on ways to support them). #BetterTogether

As a higher education professional, I am by no means the smartest, innovative, or research-grounded. I’d be arrogant if I said that, right? However, I am mindful of how decisions impact culture and operations - even more now than ever. Over the past few days, these words have lingered with me, “the trauma of a bad decision lasts longer than the success of a good one.” I am seeing this more prevalent now within higher education: FAFSA delays, enrollment strategies, DEI infrastructure, policy creation and changes, student access and more. As leaders, I feel it is our responsibility to follow our gut in decision-making to do what we feel is right for the organization. The decision should be logical, data-informed, and centered in the people it will impact - for it is them [people] who are our greatest resource. We can make a decision, but the aftermath is what carries its truth.

Future-Proofing Higher Education: Leadership in Action With the world changing so quickly, higher education needs to keep up. As educational leaders, it's our job to make sure our institutions are ready for the future. This means aligning our programs with economic trends, embracing new technologies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Future-proofing higher education isn't just about keeping up with trends; it's about leading the way. We need to be proactive, innovative, and always thinking ahead. This involves understanding where the job market is heading, integrating relevant skills into our curricula, and ensuring our students are prepared for the careers of tomorrow. It also means creating an environment where our faculty and staff feel supported and motivated to innovate. By encouraging professional development and collaboration, we can build a team that's ready to tackle the challenges of the future. We need to make higher education more dynamic and responsive to the needs of our students and society. This is the way to future-proof higher education. #HigherEducation #EducationalLeadership #FutureOfEducation #InnovationInEducation #EdTech #ProfessionalDevelopment #StudentSuccess #LeadershipInAction #EducationReform #ContinuousImprovement

Hey everyone, today's dive into "Shared Leadership in Higher Education" takes us through two enlightening chapters: Chapter 5 and Chapter 6. These chapters explore faculty-led efforts and strategies for improving student success! Chapter 5: Faculty-Led Effort to Build Campus Community Around Excellence in STEM In this chapter by Amy Sprowles and Matthew Johnson, we embark on a journey of campus transformation. The chapter delves into the why and how of shared leadership, emphasizing the commitment to institutionalization while also acknowledging the valuable insights from The Evergreen State College's National Summer Institute on Learning Communities. I appreciate their focus on compensation, course release, and fostering a sense of community. The challenges and lessons learned shed light on the rarity of faculty leading institutional change under this model. Chapter 6: Improving Student Success and Enrollment at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater Susan Elrod, Matthew Ashenbrunner, and Elizabeth A. John guide us through this chapter's insights. It begins with inviting people to lead and broadening understanding while maintaining momentum. The discussion touches on the fruits of shared leadership, institutional intentionality, benefits, lessons, and the inevitable challenges. Big Three Takeaways (Chapters 5 and 6): 1. Faculty-Led Transformation: Faculty-led shared leadership initiatives can be a driving force for positive change, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment. 2. Capacity Building and Collaboration: Building capacity and fostering collaboration are essential elements for the success of shared leadership efforts. 3.Challenges and Lessons: Embracing shared leadership may come with challenges, but the lessons learned are invaluable for institutional progress. Question to Ponder/Discuss: Are shared leadership and shared governance truly distinct, or is it the terminology that shapes our perception? #SharedLeadership #HigherEdLeadership #FacultyEngagement #StudentSuccess #InstitutionalChange #TheClarkCommunique

We are excited to share this opportunity to represent your district and participate as an advisor on a working group focused on the creation of the Digital Promise Digital Equity Framework Guide.   Digital equity is critical for ensuring all students have the tools and opportunities to thrive. Digital Promise is building the Digital Equity Framework Guide, a practical, interactive guide to help schools achieve this goal. It will include companion toolkits and case studies to support districts as they work to achieve Digital Equity. We're seeking ten passionate education leaders and technology experts to join our advisory working group to engage in sensemaking around the digital equity domain competencies, sub-skills and look-for, essential questions, and case studies. Over the course of ten months, they will be sharing their experiences implementing Digital Equity in creative and innovative ways in their districts, examples of inclusive innovation, and how the community identifies and scales solutions across research, practice, and technology that create more equitable education systems. Learn more about the framework here. Digital Promise will award members $1,000 honoraria for full participation in the working group and for collaborating on a case study of their district that illuminates aspects of the Digital Equity Domains in action.   Are you interested in participating? If so, please complete this application by Friday, May 3 as the deadline is extended. #EdLeadership #k12education #leaders #education #superintendents #EdLeader #EdEquity #Edtech

🌍 Let's network with purpose and be part of E.R.E.'s vital mission for equitable education! 🚀 Are you ready to revolutionize education and expand your network at the same time? Join us for an exclusive webinar where you'll gain insight into how E.R.E. is #ChangingLives through #FairEducation. It's time to make a difference together! During this one-hour session, you'll unlock the potential of your skills to drive real change in the education sector, connect with like-minded professionals for #NetworkingOpportunities, and explore avenues to enhance your leadership and mentoring capabilities. It's a fantastic opportunity to grow both personally and professionally! 📅 Save the first Thursdays of August from 6:30-7:30 PM CST for a live Zoom webinar that promises to inspire and empower you. Don't miss out on the chance to hear directly from Lindsey Wander, the President of E.R.E., and gain insights into how you can contribute to our mission. Your expertise could be the key to unlocking a student's brighter and #BetterFuture! Ready to take the next step in joining the movement for fair education? #RegisterNow and be a part of a positive change that impacts both students and professionals. Together, let's educate, radiate, and elevate! 👉 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦: 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 – 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘆. #EquitableEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #SocialImpact #NetworkingForGood #EducationInnovation #CorporateSocialResponsibility #CareerGrowth #MentoringMatters #SkillsBasedVolunteering #CommunityEngagement 🌟

In our previous blog post, we explored the impact of silos in higher education. In this week's post, we turn our attention to 3 practical strategies that will help you breakdown silos on your campus: fostering collaboration, improving communication, and promoting cross-departmental Initiatives. By implementing these strategies, institutions can break down silos and achieve greater integration and innovation. #StudentSuccess https://lnkd.in/gjKGUm46

We talk a lot (and maybe complain a little) about silos. But how much time do we spend actively working to break them down? In this week's EQUISS Accelerator blog post, Jennifer Baszile and I spend some time exploring 3 practical strategies leaders can use to eliminate silos on campus. Together, we can create a more integrated and supportive learning environment that creates the impact higher education needs now.  #StudentSuccess #HigherEd

Elevating Professionalism Through Higher Education: In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, continuous learning and development are not just encouraged; they're essential. Higher education plays a pivotal role in enhancing professionalism within organizations. Here's how: 🚀 Expertise and Knowledge: Higher education equips individuals with specialized knowledge and expertise in their chosen field. This expertise becomes a valuable asset, enabling professionals to make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to their organizations. 💪 Critical Thinking: Through rigorous coursework and research, higher education fosters critical thinking skills. Professionals with the ability to analyze complex problems, think creatively, and make data-driven decisions can drive innovation and growth within their organizations. 🌐 Global Perspective: Many higher education programs offer a global perspective, exposing individuals to diverse cultures and viewpoints. This global awareness is invaluable in today's interconnected world, helping organizations expand internationally and navigate cross-cultural challenges. 📊 Research and Analysis: Higher education often emphasizes research and analysis skills. Professionals who can gather and interpret data effectively are better equipped to identify trends, anticipate market changes, and devise strategies for organizational success. 🤝 Networking Opportunities: Universities and colleges provide excellent networking opportunities. Building connections with fellow students, professors, and alumni can open doors to partnerships, mentorships, and collaboration that benefit both individuals and organizations. 📈 Career Advancement: A higher education degree can be a catalyst for career advancement. It demonstrates a commitment to personal growth and professional development, making individuals more appealing candidates for leadership roles within their organizations. #HigherEducation #Professionalism #ContinuousLearning #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #EducationMatters #OrganizationalGrowth #LPU #MittalSchoolOfBusiness