MSCHE Pillars of Change

For the past three decades, University of Maryland, Baltimore County has become synonymous with Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III. He is nationally celebrated for his results-driven commitment to inclusive excellence, collaborative approach to leadership, and mentorship that pairs high expectations with strong support. In this episode of the MSCHE Pillars of Change Podcast, Dr. Katherine Conway-Turner, MSCHE Vice-Chair and President of Buffalo State College, explores the impact Dr. Hrabowski has had on his students, faculty, and staff in shaping conversations surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion issues as well as striving to meet the challenges of society . UMBC's model of distributed leadership brings a variety of voices to the table to help move campus discussions forward by incorporating self-reflection.

Since being named president of Union County College in 2010, Dr. Margaret McMenamin has aggressively pursued an agenda centering on improving student success outcomes. During her tenure at Union, the College has more than quintupled its IPEDS graduation rate and been recognized by the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence and Association of Community College Trustees. MSCHE Commissioner Mr. Michael Collins interviews Dr. McMenamin, a former Commission Chair, on the success found at her community college and the role of higher education in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

In the 10th episode of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Pillars of Change Podcast, Davie Gilmour, Chair of the Commission, hosted three students who presented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) research at the MSCHE 2023 Annual Conference.

Davie was joined by Sahtrese McQueen, an undergraduate student at Pace University (NY), whose research analyzed controversial topics and threats on freedom of student newspapers; Mackenzie Wise, a graduate student at Baruch College of the City University of New York, whose research focused on the struggle of first-generation students and cultural integration; and Vidya Surti an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, whose research examined classroom disability inclusivity.

In this episode of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Pillars of Change Podcast, Dr. Valerie D. Lehr, Commissioner and Professor of Gender Studies/Government, St. Lawrence University (NY), engages with leaders from the East Stroudsburg University (PA) Career and Independent Living and Learning Studies (CILLS) program.
Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Brooke Langan; CILLS Program Director, Dr. Domenico Cavaiuolo; and CILLS Program Coordinator, Dylan Doran; share with our audience how the CILLS program provides a high-quality learning experience and necessary support within a university setting to help young adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities develop life skills. The program prepares individuals to live independently and lead productive lives in their communities.

In this episode of the MSCHE Pillars of Change Podcast, Dr. Félix Matos Rodríguez, Chancellor of The City University of New York (CUNY) System, engages with Dr. David Rehm, Commissioner and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania, about the system efforts to eliminate remedial courses in math and English and replace them with corequisite, credit-bearing courses accompanied by the academic support necessary for student success.
Dr. Matos Rodríguez, through his advocacy, focuses on system-wide change and highlights CUNY initiatives designed to help students continue their educational journeys.