The Challenge of Independent Colleges

A comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of the state of small independent colleges today, The Challenge of Independent Colleges explores a wide range of vitally important issues facing these institutions. The interplay between scholars and practitioners clearly shows what we know and what we need to know to ensure these institutions not only survive but thrive in the twenty-first century. -- Matthew Hartley, University of Pennsylvania, coeditor of "To Serve a Larger Purpose": Engagement for Democracy and the Transformation of Higher Education

Weerts, Cynthia A. Wells, Letha ZookThis book began as a collaboration among top higher education researchers, the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) scholars, and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). Documenting the challenges and opportunities facing independent colleges in several integral areas, including public purposes and student engagement, The Challenge of Independent Colleges is informed by the reactions of independent campus presidents and provosts who work every day to act on the opportunities presented by private colleges and universities. Each of the nine chapters is written by a leading higher education scholar and frames highly relevant issues for administrators at independent colleges and universities. Topics range from "Access and Affordability" and "Assessment" to "Ensuring Student Success" and "Institutional Strategy." Each chapter is followed by a short, critical reaction written by a provost or president at a CIC member institution. These reactions demonstrate how the information contained in the chapter might be used by institutional leaders to make decisions and what other information on the chapter's topic might be useful for leaders at independent colleges and universities. An important resource for higher education scholars and campus leaders, this text will also be a useful addition to courses on education. Contributors: John M. Braxton, Erin B. Ciarimboli, Cynthia Cogswell, Valerie Crespin-Trujillo, Daniel Custer, Richard Dorman, Roger Drake, Richard Ekman, David Guthrie, Harold V. Hartley III, James C. Hearn, Nicholas Hillman, Jillian Kinzie, Mary B. Marcy, Matthew J. Mayhew, Charlie McCormick, Linda McMillin, Christopher C. Morphew, Julie J. Park, Laura W. Perna, Kevin M. Ross, Marc Roy, Laurie Schreiner, Carolyn J. Stefanco, Barrett Taylor, Stephen J. Vassallo, David J. Weerts, Cynthia A. Wells, Letha Zook