This volume brings together a group of practitioners and scholars to describe how colleges and universities might respond more effectively to changing social, demographic and political forces. In each chapter, the contributors diagnose a specific problem and show how solutions can be found by reorienting basic work structures and designing more nimble, creative organizations. Their goal is to encourage systemic change throughout the academy, rather than in one or another segment. The changes they propose in areas such as management, marketing and assessment are intended to be far-reaching and, at the same time, practical, real-world solutions for achieving high performance in colleges and universities.
"The book's forward-thinking recommendations should provide useful guideposts as readers assess the challenges and constraints facing their own universities." -- Elaine El-Khawas, Studies in Higher Education
"This book may startle some people... Definitely food for thought." -- Virginia Quarterly Review
"The deliberately challenging essays provide both compelling arguments and practical discussions of the implications of these arguments... Like Tierney's other works... this volume is well edited, well written, and challenging." -- Choice
"This book is about getting out of the box. It is about rethinking fundamental assumptions of higher education. To survive and thrive in the next century, colleges and universities will have to be responsive in the eyes of those being served." -- Future Survey