Dive Brief:
- Michael Crow has spent more than a decade at the helm of Arizona State University, envisioning a future as the ‘New American University,’ and now his latest book lays out a path forward.
- Crow defines a New American University as one that is accessible to diverse groups of students, scalable, and flexible, to help more students graduate ready for in-demand work.
- He says institutions can enroll large numbers of students without giving up high academic ideals by shifting to a student-centric culture, hiring faculty who are interested in teaching as much as research, and infusing technology into all aspects of the institution.
Dive Insight:
Crow’s new book, written with William Dabars, is called "Designing the New American University." The pair surveyed the higher education landscape and came up with a map for change, arguing that higher education hasn’t adapted quickly enough for a modern society and economy. Crow points to proof in the relatively low number of college graduates in the United States, especially compared to graduation rates in other countries. He also points to the skills gap in the economy as further proof that higher education isn’t doing its job.