Higher Education Reform: A Never-Ending Journey

     Student affairs professionals jobs are extremely multi-dynamic. As a professional in higher education you have to not only have an educational skill-set, but an emphatic and compassionate one as well. Professionals should be able to work well with others and collaborate as a team. We’re Losing Our Minds discusses the monumental idea of higher education as an easy route instead of a necessity to a successful lifestyle and career.  The book discusses college as a place where you transform as an individual intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The truth of the matter is in many cases, as the price of education gets higher the quality of education is dwindling. As specialists in any given field when you see a deficit it is up to you to help rebuild and recreate your field, starting from the basics. It will take innovation, collaboration and effective communication for institutional and educational reform in higher education. 

     Transformational learning is powerful, but only when it is used appropriately and authentic learning and life experiences are made available for all students. Students don’t come to college knowing exactly what is needed for success. It is the job of both student and institution to work together and produce a powerful learning experience. Each student should be thought of as more that a student, but a person who needs care and effective services. No one student will have the same needs and wants. Believing that they do or not taking note of this fact is a perennial mistake. Catering to students on an individual basis should be a goal for every institution. The fact of the matter is if students are not growing in a holistic manner while in college, why should they pay so much or invest themselves in their education?

       There are various issues that faulty, student affairs professionals, and staff deal with on a day-to-day basis. Which is why collaboration should be strongly valued at any college. There is strength in the power of minds coming together for the greater good of students. Collaborative environments produce innovative, thought-provoking, and fresh ideas, programs, reform and departments that will help the continued regrowth of higher education. This regrowth will be ever changing and never ending.

       Action is another important piece in the equation of higher education reform. We can have discussions, panels, meetings and seminars about change, but without action change can and will never be implemented. In order for change to occur we have to challenge each other to make calculated moves, to think differently, reevaluate and change the face of learning in higher education. Doing this will help us create dynamic learning experiences that have depth and are rich and meaningful, this should be one of our main goals for every student. 

        The rich culture of college student development and change has been happening for decades. As my fellow classmates pin pictures, articles, and videos about higher education and student affairs there is a clear re-occurring motif. Change occurs with collaboration, discussion, research, transformational learning experiences, and the willingness to be lifelong learners who are dedicated and ready to be catalysts for change. Student’s want and need to be heard and have experiences in college that helps them to evolve into critical thinkers, effective communicators, diligent writers, problem solvers, and emotionally stable individuals. There is no one fix for substantial change in higher education. The truth is experts are working hard each day to ensure educational excellence for all students. We have to break free of the idea that as an institution we are moving forward, we must collaborate across institutions for change to occur, change that is vast and widespread.

Kristen Swims