Category Archives: Uncategorized

I subscribe to Oxford English Dictionary’s Word of the Day email (available through the HWC Library, available only to staff and students). I often enjoy the sly humor of the chosen word. Sounds like someone at OED may be aware that we are wrapping up registration and starting classes Tuesday. See the email below. aegrotat,Continue reading “Aegrotat”

The discussion of completion has been fruitful. I agree that we should use multiple measures. We are an accredited institution, and several faculty members have justifiably highlighted our last review, where the Higher Learning Commission recommended our next review in ten years, or 2018-2019.  I decided to consult the review for guidance on what weContinue reading “Completion Matters – 2”

Yesterday, I stood in the lobby from 7:45 – 10:45 AM, and again from 5:15 – 6:00 PM, to welcome faculty and students to the first day of summer term. I wore my best suit, my brightest Harold Washington orange tie, and what I hoped was a welcoming smile. The day, even at 8 AM,Continue reading “Building 2”

A couple of Harold Washington College architecture students – Lauren and Anisa – asked me to get the word out regarding their efforts to build a green wall on the side of our College facing into the Com Ed substation next to the building. You can find out more here: hwcgreenwall.blogspot.com. As you will noteContinue reading “Green Wall Appeal”

This post is a refresh of an earlier discussion regarding active vs. passive learning strategies. Thanks to John Hader for contributing a dissenting viewpoint.  The Economist published an article this week highlighting research in favor of active learning strategies. What I found interesting is that the students who were given some initial structure and thenContinue reading “Active Learning”

My economics training has drilled into me the notion that rational individuals seek to maximize personal gain. It seems, then, that monetary incentives ought to result in better performance and outcomes. I have wrestled with these concepts as I seek to lead an organization where my ability to reward individuals monetarily is limited.  This videoContinue reading “Purpose and Mastery”

Dr. Julian Scheinbuks left the largest gift ever to an public Illinois university with his one million dollar gift to Chicago State. The Sun-Times article does a nice job giving us a sense of the man.  Teachers who spend their lives working with students are amazingly special people. When one of them turns around andContinue reading “Scheinbuks’ Big Bucks”

Over 260 Harold Washington students and recent graduates signed up and attended an event at McCormick Place sponsored by Accenture, my former employer.  The day started with a networking opportunity. Accenture employees and City College students and recent graduates paired up so that our students could ask for career advice. I was proud that ourContinue reading “Mentor-palooza”

As I sat on the stage during Graduation last Wednesday night, peering into the bright lights at the UIC Pavilion, I asked myself if completion matters. It mattered to the families who crowded into the auditorium to see their sons, daughters, grandkids, sisters, brothers, parents, and extended family and friends mark the completion of theirContinue reading “Does Completion Matter?”

In Rhetoric, Aristotle outlines the three modes of persuasion one can employ: ethos, pathos and logos. Ethos appeals to an audiences’ character. Pathos appeals to emotion. Logos employs logic to win over people. Recent posts on this blog have caused me to revisit Aristotle and question the value of a recent dialogue in this blog.Continue reading “The Art of Persuasion”