From the Director – 2010

LIBBY V. MORRIS

On behalf of the Institute of Higher Education’s faculty, staff, and students, I bring greetings to our alumni, colleagues, and friends across the nation and around the world.

Fall 2010 marks the 46th anniversary of the Institute of Higher Education. Almost five decades from its inception, I believe the founders (including then President O.C. Aderhold) would be pleased with the research, service, and educational programs underway, and the national recognition we receive. For the sixth consecutive year, our higher education program is ranked in the top ten nationally by U.S. News and World Report. For the past two years, the Institute ranked sixth among more than 100 programs. This placement by our peers recognizes the extensive and innovative research conducted by IHE faculty, the quality of our doctoral program and students, and the influential positions held by our alumni. Please see the alums and students featured throughout this report who are only a small representation of our outstanding graduates and current students!

The doctoral programs in higher education are at the center of Institute activities. Our faculty members are committed to mentoring students, so it is not surprising that 16 students graduated from our Ph.D. program in 2009 and 2010. We also strive to offer stipends to full-time Ph.D. students, and in academic year 2010, 23 doctoral students will hold graduate research on campus. As you can imagine, these work experiences often create the paths to future careers. Plus, they make the Institute shine from the valuable work they do on campus!

In January 2010, to better serve the educational interests of senior managers and administrators working in colleges and universities, the Institute launched an executive doctoral program in Atlanta and enrolled 16 students in the first cohort. The program complements the Ph.D. residential program and offers a concentrated format to in-state and out-of-state students. Importantly, Institute faculty teach in both programs, and we are finding it invigorating to do so. Professor Doug Toma and Dr. Elisabeth Hughes can provide more information about this executive program.

And, not to brag too much, but I hope you will review the faculty research summarized on pages 4-6. Clearly, the Institute faculty are among the most talented in the nation. They serve on numerous boards for the leading journals and series in the field, e.g., Higher Education Management, Educational Researcher, Research in Higher Education, Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, New Directions for Institutional Research, and Innovative Higher Education. Their interdisciplinary reach is shown by their publications and venues for presentations, e.g., American Sociological Association, Midwest Political Science Association, NCAA, the Middle East and Northern Africa Association, and an EU Erasmus Mundus Fellow award. This fall, the Institute seeks to fill the Zell Miller distinguished professor position, and we are looking around the globe for the best candidate.

Please join us on November 3 at 10 a.m. for the 22nd annual Louise McBee lecture to be delivered by Dr. Nancy L. Zimpher, chancellor of the State University of New York. Like Dr. McBee, Dr. Zimpher brings a wealth of experience and accomplishments to the lecture series. Please mark the date on your calendar and watch for news about an alumni event in concert with the lecture.

Sadly, this year, we said goodbye to former director and Regents professor, Cameron Fincher. Over four decades, he nurtured the Institute, championed it in weak budget times and strong, and was unwaveringly committed to Institute faculty, staff, and students. We have “large shoes” to fill as we carry on the tradition. Please see our tribute to him on page 31.

Years do slip by quickly, so I hope you will include in your travel plans for 2010 and 2011 a visit to the Institute of Higher Education. And consider making a donation to one of the funds established to support the Institute or honor an individual. Again, I appreciate all that each of you do to support the Institute of Higher Education in word and deed.