Special Series: Technology >> Part 1: Strategy/Mission/Vision

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Special Series: Technology >> Part 1: Strategy/Mission/Vision

5/5/2005

Michael Townsley on presidential leadership
and its key role in campus technology use.

THE ACCELERATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY has outpaced the ability of many CEOs to keep abreast of it and more importantly, to effectively channel their perspective on technology advances and solutions, in order to advance their respective institutions. Three years ago, at an annual program for new presidents sponsored by a high-level higher education association, several new CEOs mentioned that one of the most complex issues they have to address is the use of technology on their campuses. Most participants acknowledged that they lacked sufficient knowledge to appropriately address comprehensive issues dealing with technology.

Not long after that meeting, based on actual discussions among college presidents, SunGard SCT (www.sungardsct.com) facilitated a year-round dialog on the topic of technology in higher education. Ensuing roundtable discussions led to the formulation of topics, which later comprised chapters. Now, thanks to the vision of SunGard SCT, the corporate sponsor of this new presidents program, a tree has grown from that small acorn. The book, President to President: Views of Technology in Higher Education (SunGard SCT, 2005) is the end product.

It is important to note that President to President is not an in-depth look at technology, per se. Rather, the book is intended as a user-friendly guide written by and for college presidents, tantamount to a presidential chat room that had its beginnings in a physical setting—a dialog between and among presidents. Each of the ten presidential authors has addressed his or her topic in a clear, succinct and we believe, helpful manner. Chapters include:

"Technology & Organizational Strategy /Mission/Vision," by Dr. Michael K. Townsley, former president, Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, Media, PA
"Continuing Technology Evolution," by Dr. Laurence W. Mazzeno, president, Alvernia College, Reading, PA
"Attract, Serve and Retain Students, Faculty and Staff," by Dr. Rosemary Jeffries, president, Georgian Court University, Lakewood, NJ
"Wireless Networks and Associated Costs/Issues," by Dr. David R. Black, president, Eastern University and Seminary, St. Davids, PA.
"Accountability and Institutional Effectiveness" by Dr. John L. Ewing, Jr., president, Mount Union College, Alliance OH
"The Role of Portals in Higher Education" by Dr. Jake B. Schrum, president, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX
"IT Security" by Dr. Thomas Meier, president, Elmira College, Elmira, NY
"Integrate Disparate Systems and Unify Your Digital Campus," by Dr. Earl D. Brooks, II, president, Tri-State University, Angola, IN
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