Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Culture, Intricacies, and Obsessions in Academia: Why Colleges and Universities are Struggling to Deliver the Goods

Unfortunate obsessions dominate the culture of colleges and universities and shortchange students and everyone else. Professors have become an obstacle to learning. They are not interested in or rewarded for teaching. They scramble to survive in a surreal world of nonsense scholarship and obscure publication. They conduct meaningless research and treat teaching with disdain. Learning takes place because students make it happen in spite of the foolishness that surrounds them. Professors don't explain, listen, or give feedback. Many don't speak understandable English. This book throws open the door of the faculty lounge and tells the dramatic and even embarrassing story. It recommends major changes in the professoriate to restore confidence in higher education. Review As a father or three college graduates, a holder of an MBA and more continuing education than a sane person should pursue, it was a pleasure to finally see someone taking on the status quo of higher ed. I have long questioned whether the gargantuan sum I spent on the education of myself and my children was worth it. Did it even have a positive return? Could I have charted as successful a course in business without it? Will my children be better off because of it? There are no simple answers, but after reading this book, I now have a clearer view into the higher ed paradox, albeit no obvious or easy solution to the future version of the "academy" that will fully enable our future successes.--Chris Mandel, Director, the Sedgwick Institute, and former President, Risk and insurance Management Society (RIMS), and Risk Manager of the Year (2004) John Hampton's book perceptively identifies key issues that interfere with the ability of colleges to achieve their mission, maximize faculty effectiveness, and make student learning their priority. The author examines and critiques the conventional way faculty are trained, selected, and evaluated in departmental structures that are often dysfunctional. The book uses a question, analysis, and suggestion format that turns negative impressions toward positive solutions. Especially satisfying is the concluding section that illustrates how a "5 star" college could and should operate. Hampton's book is filled with numerous stories from his own experience and insights drawn from sources not usually consulted when writing about education. The stories and insights make one laugh and think, a remarkable combination.--Rich Ognibene, Emeritus Professor of Education and former dean at the College of St. Rose and Seton Hall University, and Siena College John Hampton's book challenges the current patterns of thought regarding academia and higher education in the United States. The book deserves several readings since it analyzes the many dimensions of colleges and universities, ranging from the admissions processes to dissertation work. Relevant to those in academia and the private sector, the book is a product of the work experiences of the author, ranging from university course instruction, academic administration, and private business. John Hampton's views are worthy of consideration for anyone interested in the present status and future of higher education in the United States.--Joseph A. Bongiorno, JD, LLM, PhD - St. John's University (NY) - Department of History Millennial, the largest and most educated generation, is also the most indebted, largely due to huge student loans. It is no surprise that Americans are questioning the value of today's college education. Is our education system, known for being a laggard to change, late to the game? Are we adequately preparing students to be successful in today's business and social environments? Hampton tackles these questions, taking the reader behind the scenes, encouraging us all to question the way teaching has been done for years, and challenging us to demand a better approach to higher education.--Kelly Makant Barton, Chief Marketing Officer, Mount Paran Chris