I attended the last of the American Council of Education’s Institute for New Presidents last Saturday. We covered a number of worthwhile topics. I found the one on social media valuable. President Ángel Cabrera of George Mason University shared how he uses Twitter to connect with faculty, staff, students and alumni. While I can’t hopeContinue reading “Follow Me”
Author Archives: Don Laackman
Same As It Ever Was
I experienced multi-dimensional déjà vu this past Thursday as I joined the Wright team at the Q Center in St. Charles, Illinois, for our AQIP Strategy Forum. AQIP is the Academic Quality Improvement Plan pathway for accreditation Wilbur Wright College follows under the guidance of the Higher Learning Commission. The first dimension of vu came whenContinue reading “Same As It Ever Was”
Betting It All on College
This morning’s read of the Sunday New York Times started with Keith Bradsher’s “In China, Families Bet It All on College for Their Children.” Bradsher’s article highlights the sacrifices families make to send their children to college. Wu Yiebing and Cao Weiping have forgone vacations, trips to see family, and many material comforts to pay for theirContinue reading “Betting It All on College”
Harold’s Got Numbers
“If you’ve got numbers, show ’em.” Stephan James, former Chief Operating Officer of Accenture, would offer this bon mot to partners at the firm to encourage us to showcase good results. Harold’s got numbers. I have reported here on our challenges in serving students well during registration. We had a humbling Fall experience with registration.Continue reading “Harold’s Got Numbers”
So You Want to Be a College President?
CCC has posted the President for Wilbur Wright College on The Chronicle of Higher Education. Interested parties may find the posting here. The search committee is in formation.
Speaking Truth to Power
One of my fears as a leader is becoming isolated or disconnected from the people I aspire to lead. I am constantly asking for feedback, criticism, guidance. After each speech, I ask someone I trust, “What did you think? What could have been better?” Similarly, in meetings, I ask the assembled teams to challenge ourContinue reading “Speaking Truth to Power”
CHEA Award for HWC
I am pleased to announce that Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, has won the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s 2013 CHEA Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes. In joining a select group of community colleges who have won this award, our faculty have demonstrated excellence as recognized in the announcement:Continue reading “CHEA Award for HWC”
Design Storm
A couple of Wright faculty members, Patrick Ham and Tom Murdock, spent a week in lovely Saginaw, Michigan, chaperoning six Wright students for the Region 3 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Faculty and students attended workshops and shows, and participated in acting or design competitions. One of our Wright students, Miguel Perez, joined a team withContinue reading “Design Storm”
Spare Time
What do faculty members at HWC do in their spare time? Apparently, a number of them are making great art. One of the pleasures of my job is to have an art gallery immediately outside my HWC office. The current exhibition of HWC faculty art is not to be missed. Every two years, we showContinue reading “Spare Time”
I Miss School
The winter break was everything I had hoped it would be. A few friends have asked, “Did you snorkel?” “Did you take a helicopter ride?” “Did you parasail?” Other than enjoying tropical breezes, almost uninterrupted sun, and the occasional hike through gorgeous natural scenery in Hawai’i, I did not tackle adventure on this vacation. MyContinue reading “I Miss School”
Don's Desk 