UC Blue Ash Dean is Part of National Academy on Higher Ed

A group of higher education leaders from across the nation, including a local representative, are coming together to find innovative ways to address the key issues facing the future of our colleges and universities.

Cady Short-Thompson, the dean of UC Blue Ash College, is one of 24 leaders who were invited to participate in the new Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership. Other members are from institutions that include Clemson University, Ohio State University and the University of Pennsylvania; Short-Thompson is the only representative from a regional college.

The academy is an eight-month program that was launched this past fall by higher education expert and author Jeffrey Selingo and is led by the presidents of Arizona State University and Georgetown University, schools that are known for implementing cutting-edge ideas that are transforming higher education.

The group meets once a quarter to explore best practices from other industries that could be effective toward developing new solutions to the most pressing challenges facing universities across the U.S. – increasing costs, providing a return on investment, teaching and learning in a digital age, and financial sustainability.

“We have very intelligent, talented and capable leaders in higher education, and I believe our collective future is very bright,” said Short-Thompson. “Of course, it’s also important to be realistic about some of the pressing issues facing our institutions and explore how we can learn from senior leaders in other industries who are already demonstrating effective ways to address similar challenges and opportunities.”

The academy features a mix of seminars, hands-on workshops, design sessions and discussions to help members prepare to lead innovation at their own institutions.

One item that is part of the current focus in the academy – how to make sure colleges are preparing students for success in today’s workforce. That involves more than seeking advice from business leaders. “There is so much more we can do to learn from leaders of area businesses and organizations about their changing needs. I would like to partner with them to actually help design, enhance and perhaps even teach some of our curriculum,” said Short-Thompson. "Academic and business leaders need to build richer, more frequent interaction with one another for students to graduate well-prepared for satisfying, gainful employment in the region."

Short-Thompson was reappointed to another five-year term as dean of UC Blue Ash in 2014. She has been instrumental in leading substantive changes at the college that have resulted in steady growth in enrollment and student retention rates, as well as improvements in campus facilities. The college is in the planning stages for a new two-story, $5.8 million building that will provide much-needed space for classrooms. It is scheduled to open in 2017.

More information on the Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership is available at

www.georgetown.edu/news/academy-for-innovative-higher-education-leadership

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UC Blue Ash College is a regional college within the University of Cincinnati. It offers one of the best values in higher education with access to a nationally recognized UC education in nearly 50 degrees and certificates, as well as tuition that is about half of most colleges and universities. The college is located on a scenic 135-acre wooded campus in the heart of Blue Ash, Ohio. To learn more, call 513-745-5600, visit us online at www.ucblueash.edu, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.