In the 1970s, I began what was three decades in the automotive industry. It was a good place to be at the time. U.S. automakers had enjoyed decades of growth and profitability, and it seemed like history would continue to repeat itself. Well, we all know what happened next. U.S. automakers grew somewhat complacent, seeming to take their good fortune for granted. As a result, concepts like competition, market share and customer service received little attention — and innovation consequently stalled.
Today, in my position as president of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, I see higher education confronted with some of these same challenges. We’ve enjoyed decades of success, and it’s tempting to continue down the same path. If we simply rely on past practices to move us forward, however, we’ll likely end up with some of the same struggles the U.S. auto industry was confronted with in the 1980s.
That prospect, of course, is unthinkable. As critical as the auto industry is to the U.S. economy, higher education plays an even more important role. It’s clear that we can no longer risk our future because we’re too indebted to the past.
This was my perspective in November as I joined President Barack Obama, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and a small group of higher education leaders at the White House for a roundtable on affordability and productivity in America’s colleges and universities. I was honored to be the sole community college president to attend and humbled to represent Ivy Tech’s world-class faculty and staff. Moreover, I was thrilled to be part of a conversation that is so critical to this country’s future.
As I participated in the discussion, I was reminded once again that while institutions of every kind will need to be involved in reshaping higher education in America, community colleges must lead the way. Our unique position with regard to affordability—the most critical area that needs to be addressed—combined with our collective impact—given that we serve 44 percent of all U.S. undergraduates—means that we have a special responsibility to the nation. Community colleges are a launching point for first time students and a place adult students return to get new skills, providing millions of Americans with an on ramp to the middle class. And if America fails in this same mission, community colleges will bear much of the responsibility.
One of the first things we must do is focus on productivity. Community colleges must begin by eliminating waste, cutting costs, finding new revenue streams and increasing the donor base. At Ivy Tech Community College, these priorities are articulated in our strategic plan: Accelerating Greatness. As a result, we’ve minimized the burden placed upon our students and carved out an unmatched competitive edge when it comes to affordability.
We realize, however, that productivity also means improved outcomes. That’s why community colleges must insist that quality does not suffer as we strive to better manage our budgets. At Ivy Tech, we have made student success our first priority, understanding that our ability to lead is contingent on our ability to perform. Even the most uncertain, conservative spending environment is no excuse.
