On Thursday, a thought-provoking discussion on the future of higher education took place at the University of Virginia (UVA). University President Jim Ryan, in line with UVA’s 2030 Plan, sought to address the evolving expectations of universities by moderating a panel featuring three distinguished university presidents.
The event, held in the Old Cabell Hall auditorium, brought together:
- Harriet Nembhard, President of Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California.
- Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University (ASU) in Phoenix.
- Santa Ono, President of the University of Michigan.
The panelists represented various institutions, each with distinct characteristics and educational approaches. ASU, with its expansive student body of over 73,000, contrasts sharply with Harvey Mudd College, which serves a much smaller population of around 950 students. UVA, established in 1819, and Harvey Mudd, founded less than 70 years ago, further highlight these universities’ historical and institutional differences.
Michael Crow emphasized the importance of institutional diversity, advocating for universities to embrace their unique roles rather than conforming to a uniform model. He pointed out that the American future of higher education thrives on its varied history and institutional types, ranging from colonial colleges to land-grant institutions and historically Black colleges and universities. Under Crow’s leadership, ASU is shifting towards a more interdisciplinary model, focusing on innovation by reducing rigid structures and creating cross-disciplinary schools and institutes.
Harriet Nembhard highlighted Harvey Mudd College’s focus on innovation, particularly at the intersection of STEM and humanities. Established during the Cold War era, Harvey Mudd was designed to address the need for an institution centered on technological and scientific advancement while fostering a broad educational perspective. Nembhard stressed the importance of producing graduates who can communicate effectively, reflecting the college’s commitment to creating well-rounded engineers.
Santa Ono from the University of Michigan underscored the need for universities to collaborate and contribute to the broader higher education ecosystem. He expressed a desire for partnerships with institutions like UVA, emphasizing the role of universities in driving innovation and economic growth. Ono also highlighted the importance of timely changes that align with public impact and societal needs.
The panel was a central event of the Futures Initiative, a new endeavor by UVA’s Provost’s Office, led by Phil Bourne, Dean of the School of Data Science; Ken Ono, a math professor and STEM advisor; and Jason Nabi, Project Manager. The initiative addresses President Jim Ryan’s vision for reimagining UVA’s future in a rapidly evolving world.
The event concluded a day of activities, including a tour of UVA’s Lawn and Rotunda with architectural history professor Louis Nelson and a roundtable discussion with the Futures Initiative Working Group. This task force, composed of representatives from all 12 of UVA’s schools and various administrative divisions, is dedicated to exploring ways to ensure UVA’s continued success and relevance in the future.
Conclusion
The panel discussion at UVA emphasized the need for innovation, collaboration, and adaptability in shaping the future of higher education. University leaders and President Jim Ryan highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, partnerships, and producing well-rounded graduates. As societal and technological demands evolve, institutions like UVA are poised to lead in addressing these challenges and reimagining the future of higher education.
