Robert Pearl Starks

President of Kalamazoo College, Eileen Wilson Oyelaran, articulates some of the most-pressing challenges facing higher education today, including state, national, and institutional economic difficulties; public policy demands; demographic changes; and technology. The right response to these challenges for one institution might not be the right response for another.

Americans owe $1 trillion in student loan debt. How did that happen, and what's the impact on the nation's economy?  PBS delivers this brief report on the rise of student loan debt and the questions being raised because of the problem. 

Most employees enjoy the opportunity to learn and are eager to participate in training to advance their careers.  So why do some employees hate training and how can organizations prevent this from happening? 

1. Training as Punishment – Employee training and development can help enhance performance but some organizations use training purely as a disciplinary action when employees underperform.  This leads employees to view training as punishment.

How to Avoid: Support all employees with continuous training opportunities as part of your organizational development strategy.  Employees are energized about training that is truly available to support them, not… >>>

Employee job satisfaction is critical to any institution’s success.  Dissatisfied employees are less engaged, less committed, and less likely to perform.  Studies confirm organizations that support their employees through training increase job satisfaction resulting in better business results.  Employee training, however, is not only linked to improved business results but is also a powerful factor in shaping employee attitudes.  It creates motivation for increased discretionary behavior and a satisfaction with career development that ultimately leads to increased job satisfaction of two types: intrinsic and extrinsic. 

Intrinsic Job Satisfaction

Intrinsic job satisfaction is when employees consider the type… >>>

Managing people has evolved from old approaches of "commanding and controling" to "developing and empowering." Over the years, managers have taken some responsibility for ensuring that their staff members maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform. Additionally, organizations have developed more expansive models of what development looks like. Compare the old versus new approaches below:

1. Focus on Poor Performers vs. High Performers

• Old Approach: Poor performers are the only staff members who need development
• New Approach: Every staff member within an organization should be developed with particular attention to high performers

2. Development as Responsibility of Human Resources… >>>

Complete College America, a national nonprofit dedicated to growing the pool of American college graduates has published a report that outlines five of what it calls “game-changer” strategies that could dramatically increase the number of students who successfully complete college. The report provides evidence that implementing these “game changers” would result in more degrees and other educational credentials being awarded while closing attainment gaps for traditionally underrepresented populations. Also, significantly, no changes in federal policy are necessary to drive forward with the reforms, although some federal policy changes could undoubtedly help quicken the pace of adoption. 

Download the Full Report