Stylus Publishing (VA) The Small College Imperative: Models for Sustainable Futures

Review "Anyoneinterested in the future of small private institutions--presidents, faculty, board members, administrators, and others--will find much value in The SmallCollege Imperative by Mary Marcy. The thoughtful overview of theenvironment in which these colleges function is coupled with clear descriptionsof five emerging models for small institutions. Marcy's imperative--thatfundamental change is necessary for survival and mission delivery--is spot-onand offered in compelling terms and with thoughtful guidance. The book providesreaders with a clear-eyed look at challenging trends as well as reasons to hopefor a healthy future for small institutions."--Susan Whealler Johnston, President and CEO "National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)""Ifthere is a more astute analysis of the state of small colleges and universitiesin the U.S., or a savvier articulation of how to adapt and lead in this complexenvironment, I am unaware of it. Marcy forthrightly describes the keychallenges facing small colleges, provides an accessible and comprehensiveframework for categorizing strategies for innovation, and utilizes case studiesthat showcase different paths forward, thereby avoiding being pejorative andsuggesting a panacea or silver bullet solution for every institution. This bookis essential reading for academic leaders, board members, and studentsaspiring to leadership positions in higher education."--Cathy A. Trower, President, Trower & Trower, Inc., and former research director at Harvard Graduate School of Education"Mary Marcy's SmallCollege Imperative is an urgent reminder that the all too familiar statusquo approach in no longer viable, and offers a timely blueprint forinstitutional transformation: five basic business and educational models forsmall colleges; institutional examples under each model; and risk evaluationsfor each. Higher education's challenging "new normal" environment calls fordecision making at a pace heretofore unknown within the academy. Consequently herImperative is a clarion call for an immediate and rigorous analysis ofsustainable institutional mission, market and outcome expectations."--Doug Orr, AGB Senior Fellow and Consultant, and President Emeritus "Warren Wilson College""MaryMarcy offers a compelling narrative, detailing the ways in which smallindependent colleges and universities make significant contributions to thediversity and richness of American higher education. In the process, sheoutlines five models for addressing the rapidly changing landscape of highereducation, while issuing an invitation to presidents and boards to lead change.The result is a comprehensive roadmap which charts the path toward asustainable future for independent higher education and responds to anincreasingly skeptical public."--Lynn Pasquerella, President "Association of American Colleges & Universities""Overthe years I've worked with college and university leaders, I've seen many shiftfrom confidence to apprehension about their institution's future. For them, MaryMarcy's book is a must-read. Identifying a taxonomy of approaches that smallprivate colleges and universities are adopting to respond to challenges in thecurrent higher education environment, Marcy offers examples of each approachand suggests how institutions might consider which is best for them. Her bookshould be used to stimulate and inform conversations among trustees, administrators, and faculty about how they might move their institution from 'survivalto sustainability.'"--Judith McLaughlin, Faculty Director, Higher Education Program, and Educational Chair, Harvard Seminar for New Presidents "Harvard Graduate School of Education""Mary Marcy's book isan essential read for everyone who cares about the future of small colleges.Such institutions are woven into the fabric of the United States, yet ademographic shift across the country threatens their future. Most of theconventional wisdom is that small colleges are on the brink