Happy Belated Monday all,
As we work to support or students, clients, customers, critics, etc. I wanted to take a moment and thank you all for your continued commitment to our Path Forward.
I have embedded this article because it is yet another barometer of the disruption in our industry: https://www.highereddive.com/news/nearly-200000-fewer-transfer-students-enrolled-in-college-last-year-repor/605812/. I believe we are bucking the trend, as we enroll a record number of students yet again. Adjusting to changing demographics is never easy, and unlearning an unsustainable model can be difficult, but your willingness to adapt is why we are growing, fulfilling our mission, and are poised for success!
In the words of James Baldwin: The paradox of education is precisely this – that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which (s)he is being educated. That is why we need to continue focusing on the simple premise that the world needs more culturally competent, well rounded, civic minded, career ready, environmental superheroes! And this is why we are going through the pain that is change. I agree whole heartedly with the statement “Schools, as we know them now, are the product of an age that has ended. They are out-dated and obsolete.” ― Sugata Mitra.
So as we brave the Path Forward, we should not shy away from the fact that we are building an educational model that is not for everyone, especially those who harken back to a model that limits accessibility and affordability only to a few. We should continue to be proud of the fact that now we are reaching new students who never would have dreamt that a private, non-profit, quality environmental education is available and attainable for them.
In short, while I know that things are hard now, that being said, I am certain over the next few years: that the labor shortage will turn; that our institutional policies to best support our growing complex organization will catch up; that our technologies will be implemented; that our internet trolls will be overshadowed by the success of our graduates; that our budget will be balanced; that it is only a matter of time when it will become cooler to be proud of us publicly than privately; and that you will be the team that makes an Environmental Science & Sustainability education no longer just a niche program for a few.
Thank you for all you do and congratulations on reaching a record enrollment milestone again. You have gone against the tide of our industry, in the middle of a global pandemic, and the result is Unity College is reaching significantly more diversified student demographics than ever before. I hope you take pride in what you have accomplished – as I could not be prouder.
With Pride,
MPK
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury
President
Unity College
