Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. ~ Steve Jobs Last week I was having a discussion on campus with a young director. We were talking about the normal madness we all face on our campuses and somehow got around to programs and I mentioned some past programs I’d created. He got a littleContinue reading “Great idea, the answer is no!”
Author Archives: Michael Kane
Data Driven Decisions?
I don’t have a particular recommendation other than that we base decisions on as much hard data as possible. We need to carefully look at all the options and all their ramifications in making our decisions. ~ Dorothy Denning Accountability in education has always been a political talking point. But in the late 1990s itContinue reading “Data Driven Decisions?”
The Fallacy of Legacy
We enter a career in higher education to help students. Most of us start as instructors and we have that wonderful opportunity to be in a classroom helping people understand something they previously didn’t. I’ve always called them the lightbulb moments, those moments when you see that look of confusion transition into the light ofContinue reading “The Fallacy of Legacy”
Back into the breach, opening day
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man, as modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger. ~ William Shakespeare Tomorrow will begin myContinue reading “Back into the breach, opening day”
The Higher Education Zodiac
You might be a teacher if…you are thankful that your thought bubble is invisible in staff meetings. ~ The Teacher Next Door The Higher Education Zodiac I was sitting with a couple of colleagues talking and someone joked about their Sun Zodiac symbol and then we got talking about our Chinese Zodiac signs and itContinue reading “The Higher Education Zodiac”
Happy New Year Higher Ed
What’s so fascinating and frustrating and great about life is that you’re constantly starting over, all the time, and I love that. ~ Billy Crystal After thirty-five years in higher education, the calendar year loses relevance. For those of us in higher education July 1st is New Year Day. To celebrate my academic New Year’sContinue reading “Happy New Year Higher Ed”
The Miracle of Graduation
A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that ‘individuality’ is the key to success. ~ Robert Orben Tonight a jointly published post on both the Ministry of Happiness and my Higher Ed Mentor blogs. Today, once again, for my thirty-fifth year inContinue reading “The Miracle of Graduation”
Managing High Performers in Higher Education
No one on his deathbed has ever said, I wish I spent more time in the office. ~ Paul Tsongas My first president when I began working in California was an incredibly honest and straight forward type of person. At one point we got into a discussion about management philosophy and he came straight outContinue reading “Managing High Performers in Higher Education”
Managing people in Higher Ed
Fit no stereotypes. Don’t chase the latest management fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team’s mission. ~ Colin Powell I encountered a piece recently entitled 103 pieces of advice I wish I’d known, it was really quite wonderful and the advice is great. Embedded in this list was some excellent advice forContinue reading “Managing people in Higher Ed”
Is college still worth it?
Is college still worth it? I’m hearing this question quite a bit lately and it’s funny there seem to be two quite opposite campus in agreement on the answer that college is no longer worth it. On one side is a conservative mindset that has developed in our country that is heavily anti-intellectual. They don’tContinue reading “Is college still worth it?”
Higher Ed Mentor 