Making College Better

Today’s colleges and universities are facing mounting criticism from both internal and external interest groups and constituencies. While strident calls for reform accelerate, resources for higher education have weakened. Thus, demands to improve college education abound amidst hard times. This timely book, Making College Better: Views from the Top, offers more rational and practical responses to that public outcry by allowing college presidents and chancellors from a wide variety of postsecondary institutions the opportunity to address, in measured ways, many complex issues and how they might be untangled. Moreover, these academic leaders provide possible remedies to make college better through more strategic policies and practices.

Making College Better will appeal to all those interested in the future of higher education, including students, college administrators and other higher education personnel, parents, legislators and other officials, and public and private sector leaders. It is especially useful for courses in the organization and administration of higher education, the college presidency, contemporary issues in higher education, foundations of higher education, higher education and society, and college student development.

“"This is a thought-provoking collection of essays focused on leadership challenges in today's higher education landscape. A wide variety of institutions are represented, ranging from private religious colleges to historically black colleges; and each essay provides innovative responses to specific institutional challenges. A must read for college administrators!"--Dorothy Leland, Chancellor, University of California--Merced”

“Joseph L. DeVitis has assembled an impressive array of college presidents from both the private and public sectors who don’t mince words about the current state and future of American higher education. Each of them has a unique perspective, context, and story; and there is much to be learned from their wisdom, oversights, and forecasts. This book should be read by those seeking to be college presidents and, more widely, by anyone interested in higher education leadership.”— Marybeth Gasman, Professor of Higher Education, University of Pennsylvania; Director, Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions
“I am reminded every day that the challenges facing higher education and those who serve as its leaders have never been greater. Joseph L. DeVitis has identified an outstanding group of those leaders, who are each working to do more than survive the current environment. I know and admire several of them. Indeed, each contributor’s advice on how to move an institution forward today is valuable to all of us striving to do the same.”—Dan Mahony, President, Winthrop University
“This is a thought-provoking collection of essays focused on leadership challenges in today’s higher education landscape. A wide variety of institutions are represented, ranging from private religious colleges to historically black colleges; and each essay provides innovative responses to specific institutional challenges. A must read for college administrators!”—Dorothy Leland, Chancellor, University of California—Merced

Joseph L. DeVitis is a prolific scholar and public intellectual in social foundations of education and higher education. Two of his books have earned Choice Awards from the American Library Association and four others have won Critics Choice Awards from the American Educational Studies Association as outstanding books of the year.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.