How’s this for a set of impressive careers? Lawyer, Mayor, Governor, and Chancellor. (I know I’m forgetting one, because I asked Chancellor Dan Malloy what he was planning for his sixth career.) When I asked which of his jobs had caused him to lose the most sleep, Malloy answered candidly, “Pretty much each one.” He…Continue readingPit Stop #20: University of Maine System
Joan Ferrini-Mundy is a little over two years into her leadership of Maine’s flagship campus, the University of Maine –as well as the University of Maine at Machias, University of Maine’s 240-acre regional campus on the coast. She brings an extraordinary background to her role, most recently as Chief Operating Officer of the National Science…Continue readingPit Stop #19: University of Maine
(Caveat: The day we visited University of Maine at Augusta was not the best for showing off the beautiful campus. It was overcast and most of the leaves had blown and gone home for the winter. So Betty decided to take photos of UMA’s great outdoor sculpture — with the campus in the background. Just…Continue readingPit Stop #18: University of Maine at Augusta
For as long as I can remember, the trio of fine liberal arts colleges in Maine — Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby — have been in my consciousness. This morning it was my pleasure to personally visit Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Here’s a geography quiz for you: How far is Lewiston from its twin city…Continue readingPit Stop #17: Bates College
Our road trip began over a delightful dinner with Susan Huard, who serves as both a Commissioner of NECHE and Interim Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire. CCSNH oversees seven institutions: Great Bay Community College, Lakes Region Community College, Manchester Community College, Nashua Community College, River Valley Community College, White Mountains Community…Continue readingPit Stop #16: Community College System of New Hampshire
They call it the North Country and guess what? It is very far north, with Berlin, New Hampshire, home of White Mountains Community College, just about sixty miles from the Canadian border. Betty and I arrived in the North Country on a Sunday, put on our hiking boots and a whole lot of layers, and…Continue readingPit Stop #15: White Mountains Community College
I’m about halfway through my NECHE on the Road Trip — 25 stops at colleges and universities across New England, watching, observing, listening, and recording their leaders as they talk about their institutions specifically, and the state of higher education in general. It’s been quite a fascinating and beautiful trip so far. (And yes, observant…Continue readingThe View from 800 Miles
It’s a real treat when one gets to meet up with an old friend. Vince Maniaci, President of the American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts and I were doctoral classmates a couple decades ago at the University of Pennsylvania. This is the first time I’ve seen him in years, but Vince hasn’t changed a bit–…Continue readingPit Stop #14: American International College
So, here’s a multiple choice question for you. How many square feet do you imagine the campus of Springfield Technical Community College encompasses? a) 50,000 square feet b) 100,000 square feet c) 250,000 square feet, or d) 1 million square feet. Here’s a clue that will be totally useless: enrollment at the affectionately-known “Stick” is…Continue readingPit Stop #13: Springfield Technical Community College
Over the course of my career, I have been on hundreds of college campuses, including some of the most beautiful ones in the country. I’m not easy to impress with campus aesthetics, but I was admittedly gobsmacked when I was treated to a campus tour of Mount Holyoke College by its President, Sonya Stephens. Mount…Continue readingPit Stop #12: Mount Holyoke College