17 Higher Education Books That Shape Academic Leadership and Equity
Insights from Rafael Reif (MIT), Deborah Quazzo (GSV Fund), and Paul Bloom (Psychologist) on Higher Education Books
Updated on June 26, 2025·We may earn commissions for purchases made via this page
1 of 17 books have Audiobook versions
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What if I told you the future of higher education hinges on understanding its complex past and bold transformations today? Higher education sits at a crossroads marked by escalating challenges—from equity and leadership dilemmas to technological disruptions reshaping learning itself.
Leaders like Rafael Reif, president of MIT, emphasize the need for strategic foresight, drawing on books like "The Great Upheaval" to navigate this shifting landscape. Deborah Quazzo of GSV AcceleraTE Fund praises insightful frameworks that balance history and innovation. Psychologist Paul Bloom highlights practical guidance for academic productivity and well-being in works like "The Writing Workshop," underscoring the human side of scholarship.
While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific academic roles, institutional contexts, or leadership goals might consider creating a personalized Higher Education book that builds on these insights, delivering targeted knowledge to accelerate your impact.
Rafael Reif, president of MIT, brings an authoritative voice to this book, highlighting Arthur Levine's unique foresight on emerging trends in higher education. After years of steering one of the world's top universities, Reif appreciates how this book helped him rethink foundational assumptions about learning amid rapid change. "On the subject of higher education, Arthur Levine is astonishingly prescient, spotting trends on the horizon long before they come into focus for the rest of us," he says. Alongside Reif, Deborah Quazzo praises the authors' clarity and optimism about technology's role in reshaping education, reinforcing the book's status as a thoughtful roadmap for stakeholders navigating this great upheaval.
“On the subject of higher education, Arthur Levine is astonishingly prescient, spotting trends on the horizon long before they come into focus for the rest of us. In this thoughtful and engaging book, he and Scott Van Pelt offer a clear-eyed assessment of the changes—and the potential disruption—facing colleges and universities. An indispensable guide to rethinking our assumptions about learning and preparing to thrive in a transformed educational landscape.”
Arthur Levine is president emeritus of Columbia University's Teachers College and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. He is the author or coauthor of many books, including Generation on a Tightrope: A Portrait of Today's College Students. Scott Van Pelt is the Director of Research and Faculty Affairs at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.
Arthur Levine's decades of leadership in educational institutions set the stage for this incisive look at higher education's evolution amid today's rapid societal shifts. Joined by Scott Van Pelt's academic research expertise, they dissect how technological innovation, globalization, and demographic changes challenge the traditional industrial model of colleges and universities. You'll gain a nuanced understanding of higher education's past transformations and the complex dynamics shaping its uncertain future, including detailed analysis of institutional adaptations and potential disruptions. This book suits policymakers, administrators, and anyone invested in the future of postsecondary education, offering both historical perspective and strategic foresight without pushing a specific agenda.
Nicole Carr, a ProPublica reporter specializing in racial equity, draws attention to this book as a crucial corrective to misconceptions about HBCUs and their origins. She shares how engaging with it challenged her assumptions and highlighted overlooked aspects of educational inequality. "This just struck my nerves. Have no idea where he got that info, and how convenient to forget the basis of the HBCU inception," she remarked, underscoring the book's importance for anyone grappling with America’s educational disparities. Alongside her, Sara Goldrickrab, professor of higher education policy at Temple University, also endorses the book, highlighting its timely role in ongoing conversations about equity in higher education.
“@Michelle_RJones This just struck my nerves. Have no idea where he got that info, and how convenient to forget the the basis of the HBCU inception. It’s not ancient history, and perhaps he’d like to crack open a book like “The State Must Provide,” by @AdamHSays . I’m logging off…😩” (from X)
Adam Harris is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where he has covered education and national politics since 2018. He was previously a reporter at the Chronicle of Higher Education, where he covered federal education policy and historically Black colleges and universities. He is a 2021 New America Fellow and the recipient of the Rising Star Award by the News Media Alliance.
Adam Harris draws on his extensive experience covering education and national politics to expose the persistent racial inequities embedded in America's higher education system. You learn how legal decisions, government policies, and funding disparities have systematically disadvantaged Black students and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Chapters detail landmark Supreme Court cases and Civil War–era legislation that shaped educational access, offering you a nuanced understanding of how segregation and inequality remain entrenched. This book benefits anyone seeking to grasp the historical roots of educational disparities and consider pathways to equitable reform.
This AI-created book on academic leadership is tailored to your specific goals and experience in higher education. By sharing your background and interests, you receive a book that focuses precisely on the leadership challenges and innovation topics that matter most to you. This personalized approach helps you navigate the complexities of academic institutions with greater clarity and purpose. Unlike generic texts, this book offers a learning path crafted just for you, making your development as an academic leader both efficient and relevant.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This tailored book explores leadership and innovation within higher education, focusing deeply on your unique academic context and goals. It examines the complexities of academic leadership, institutional change, and innovative practices that drive progress in universities and colleges. By synthesizing diverse expert knowledge, this book offers a rich, personalized learning experience that matches your background and desired areas of growth. It reveals how leadership principles intersect with innovation to address challenges like equity, governance, and digital transformation in higher education. This tailored guide is designed to help you develop nuanced understanding and actionable insights aligned with your specific ambitions and institutional environment.
Ralph A. Gigliotti is a recognized expert in crisis leadership within higher education, combining years of academic administration and research experience. His work bridges leadership theory and practical application during times of crisis, reflecting extensive interviews and data analysis from top universities. Dedicated to equipping leaders with tools to handle complex challenges, Gigliotti’s expertise makes this book a vital resource for navigating uncertainty in academic environments.
Ralph A. Gigliotti is a recognized expert in crisis leadership within higher education, with extensive experience in academic administration and research. His work focuses on the intersection of leadership theory and practice, particularly in times of crisis. Gigliotti has contributed significantly to the field through his research, publications, and presentations at various academic conferences. He is dedicated to equipping leaders in higher education with the tools necessary to navigate complex challenges and foster resilience in their institutions.
Drawing from extensive research involving senior leaders at major U.S. research universities, Ralph A. Gigliotti explores how crisis leadership has fundamentally reshaped responsibilities across higher education institutions. You’ll gain a nuanced framework grounded in theory and real interviews, detailing how leaders at various levels can effectively respond to the rapid proliferation of campus crises. The book examines institutional and environmental challenges with practical insights on leadership visibility when uncertainty strikes, making it particularly useful for academic administrators, communication professionals, and university personnel seeking to navigate complex emergencies.
James M. Kouzes is the Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, and Barry Z. Posner is the Accolti Endowed Professor of Leadership at Santa Clara University. With decades of leadership scholarship and experience directing executive education programs, they bring authoritative insight to leadership in colleges and universities. Their book translates the proven Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership into actionable guidance for academic leaders seeking to transform their institutions and motivate their communities.
James M. Kouzes is the Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership and Barry Z. Posner is the Accolti Endowed Professor of Leadership at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. They are the coauthors of the award-winning and bestselling book The Leadership Challenge and more than a dozen other leadership books. Kouzes founded the Center for Human Services Development at San José State University and directed the Executive Development Center at Santa Clara University. Posner has been associate dean for graduate programs, managing partner for executive education, and dean for twelve years.
After analyzing decades of leadership research, James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner distilled a set of five practices that define exemplary leadership specifically for higher education. Drawing on their extensive backgrounds as leadership scholars and university administrators, they explain how these behaviors help leaders across faculty, administration, and campus services turn vision into action and foster collaboration. For example, the book breaks down how leaders can mobilize others to innovate and build solidarity, illustrated through case studies from colleges and universities. If you’re involved in any leadership role within higher education, this book offers a clear framework for inspiring and sustaining meaningful change.
Paul Bloom, a psychologist known for his insights into human nature and morality, regards this book as "essential reading for any academic who wants to be more prolific and write better." His endorsement carries weight given his broad understanding of human behavior and motivation. Bloom appreciates how the book addresses the loneliness and challenges of academic writing by fostering supportive writing groups, which transformed his own approach to scholarly productivity. Similarly, Sam Wineburg, a Stanford professor of education, praises Sarnecka’s warm and encouraging tone, noting that it helps scholars nurture their creativity and write with clarity and power.
Barbara W. Sarnecka is a Professor of Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. She is the creator of the graduate Writing Workshop seminar, guiding dozens of doctoral students and postdocs to produce their best writing while maintaining their health and sanity. Professor Sarnecka is currently conducting randomized controlled trials to investigate how doctoral writing groups affect writing productivity, skill development and well-being in doctoral students across the sciences and humanities. Other research in her lab focuses on conceptual change and cognitive development from infancy through adulthood. This includes studies of numerical cognition in early childhood, social cognition in infancy through childhood, exploratory play and decision-making in middle childhood, conceptual change in science education, and adult moral cognition and reasoning.
Barbara W. Sarnecka, a Professor of Cognitive Sciences at UC Irvine, wrote this book to fill a glaring gap in academic training: how to write effectively and happily within the rigors of academia. You’ll discover how to create and sustain writing groups, develop a writing schedule attuned to your long-, medium-, and short-term goals, and improve clarity at every level of your prose. The book’s chapters walk you through crafting everything from literature reviews to grant proposals, with practical templates and exercises to boost your writing confidence. If you’re an early-career researcher navigating the isolating pressures of academic writing, this guide offers a supportive, structured approach that integrates well-being and productivity.
This personalized AI book on campus leadership is created based on your experience and specific goals as a higher education administrator. By sharing your background and leadership interests, the AI crafts focused content that speaks directly to your challenges and aspirations in academic settings. It makes sense to have a tailored resource here because leadership in higher education requires nuanced understanding of institutional culture and complex stakeholder relationships. This custom book ensures you get a relevant pathway through leadership concepts, helping you grow confidently within your unique campus environment.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
2026·50-300 pages·Higher Education, Leadership Basics, Campus Management, Team Development, Decision Making
This tailored book explores practical leadership development specifically designed for higher education administrators. It covers essential leadership concepts, campus management techniques, and strategies to enhance your influence in academic environments. By focusing on your background and goals, it crafts a personalized pathway through complex leadership challenges faced in universities and colleges. The book examines real-world scenarios and leadership practices that resonate with your unique institutional context, delivering content that matches your interests and skill level. This personalized approach ensures you engage deeply with material that drives your growth and effectiveness as a campus leader, making the learning experience both relevant and inspiring.
Sydette @ Ord Camp, a civic media innovation fellow, recommends this book emphatically: "This is always a great piece to read also an amazing book." Her deep engagement with higher education equity gives weight to her endorsement. The book helped her see beyond admission statistics to the lived realities of disadvantaged students on elite campuses. Additionally, Chanda Prescodweinstein, a physics professor and advocate for diversity in STEM, acknowledges the book's strengths while noting its specific focus areas, enriching the conversation around inclusion in academia.
Anthony Abraham Jack is the Inaugural Faculty Director of the Newbury Center and Associate Professor of Higher Education Leadership at Boston University. He has written for the New York Times and the Washington Post, and his research has been featured on The Open Mind, All Things Considered, and CNN. The Privileged Poor was named an NPR Books Best Book of 2019.
While working as an associate professor specializing in higher education, Anthony Abraham Jack noticed that admission alone doesn't guarantee success for disadvantaged students at elite institutions. His research reveals how university policies and campus cultures often exacerbate inequalities, particularly for students from troubled public schools versus elite private high schools. You’ll gain insights into the social dynamics and institutional structures that shape these students’ experiences, alongside concrete recommendations for fostering genuine inclusion beyond admission. This book suits educators, policymakers, and anyone invested in equity within higher education, offering a grounded look at what it truly takes for less privileged students to thrive.
John R. Thelin is the University Research Professor Emeritus specializing in the history of higher education and public policy at the University of Kentucky. His extensive academic career and many publications position him uniquely to chart the complex story of American colleges and universities. This book reflects his deep archival research and thoughtful insights, helping you appreciate the triumphs and tensions shaping higher education today.
John R. Thelin is the University Research Professor Emeritus of the history of higher education and public policy at the University of Kentucky. His numerous books include A History of American Higher Education and Games Colleges Play.
John R. Thelin's decades of scholarly research led to this detailed exploration of American higher education's evolution from the seventeenth century through the twenty-first. You gain a nuanced understanding of how colleges have shaped social class, race, gender, and ethnicity dynamics over generations. Thelin doesn’t shy away from controversial topics like the adjunct crisis and culture wars, presenting them with balanced context and archival depth. If you're looking to grasp the historical forces behind today's academic landscape and its ongoing challenges, this book delivers a rich, informed perspective without oversimplification.
Marjorie Hass, the president of Rhodes College and former provost and president at multiple institutions, brings extensive leadership experience to this guide. Her roles on national higher education boards and committees uniquely position her to address the hurdles women encounter in academic leadership. This book reflects her commitment to mentoring women and fostering supportive networks, making it a thoughtful companion for anyone looking to advance or understand leadership in higher education.
Marjorie Hass, the president of Rhodes College, is the former president of Austin College and the former provost of Muhlenberg College, where she was also a professor of philosophy. She is a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities' board of directors and a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Committee on Women Athletes.
After sixteen years navigating top leadership roles in academia, Marjorie Hass developed this guide to address the specific challenges women face in higher education leadership. Drawing from her experience as a college president and mentor, she offers candid advice on crafting a leadership style, handling power dynamics, and mastering essential administrative skills like budget and personnel management. The book walks you through critical career decisions, from embracing ambition to managing conflict, with an emphasis on aligning your values with your professional path. This is a pragmatic resource if you're a woman aiming to lead effectively in colleges or universities, or if you support gender diversity in academic leadership.
Henry Giroux, the McMaster University Chair for Scholarship in the Public Interest and a leading voice in critical pedagogy, highlights this book as a vital read for understanding the dark transformation of higher education. He points to its sharp critique of neoliberalism’s corrosive effects, describing it as "a brilliant exposé of the scourge of neoliberalism and its dark transformation of higher education into an adjunct of sordid market forces." Giroux’s endorsement reflects his deep commitment to defending critical engagement and democracy within academia, framing this book as essential for anyone invested in the future of universities and collective resistance.
McMaster University Chair; Critical Pedagogy Scholar
“A brilliant exposé of the scourge of neoliberalism and its dark transformation of higher education into an adjunct of sordid market forces. This is a book that should be read by anyone concerned with not only higher education but the fate of critically engaged agents, collective resistance and democracy itself”
Peter Fleming is Professor of Organisation Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney. He is the author of The Mythology of Work (Pluto, 2015) and The Death of Homo Economicus (Pluto, 2017). His writing has also appeared in The Guardian, The Financial Times and on the BBC.
Drawing from his extensive background as a professor of organisation studies, Peter Fleming traces the corrosive impact of neoliberalism on universities over the past two decades. You’ll discover how the shift toward market-driven metrics has transformed academic life into a battleground of managerialism, competition, and psychological strain, with chapters detailing the rise of students as consumers and the mental health crises among staff. This book is particularly insightful if you’re involved in academia or education policy and want to understand the forces undermining institutional autonomy and intellectual freedom. Fleming doesn’t offer simple fixes but presents a clear-eyed diagnosis that challenges you to reconsider what a university should be.
Jaime Casap, an education technologist and advisor, highlights how this book reframes the future of higher education as a complex junction rather than a simple crossroads. Facing the challenge of abundant information and shifting student expectations, Casap found Alexander's data-driven analysis invaluable in understanding the multiple paths institutions might take. He notes, "Higher education isn't at a crossroads―it is at a traffic circle with multiple exits!" This perspective helped him reconsider how colleges can evolve from merely distributing information to fostering original thinking, a shift critical for adapting to the changing educational landscape.
“Higher education isn't at a crossroads―it is at a traffic circle with multiple exits! The majority of students recognize the value of post-secondary education and are open to obtaining an education in unconventional and innovative ways. In a world of abundant information, higher education institutions need to transition from distributing data to providing students the opportunity to create intelligence and original ideas from the world's information. In this critical book, Bryan Alexander examines the future of American higher education. He methodically examines data-based forecasts and trends and gives post-secondary education leaders the intelligence they need to navigate the future of learning. Anyone concerned about the future of higher education in the United States needs to read this book.”
Bryan Alexander is an internationally known futurist, researcher, writer, speaker, consultant, and teacher. A senior scholar at Georgetown University, he is the author of The New Digital Storytelling: Creating Narratives with New Media, second edition, and Gearing Up for Learning Beyond K–12.
Drawing from his extensive experience as a futurist and senior scholar at Georgetown University, Bryan Alexander developed Academia Next to explore the evolving landscape of American higher education over the next two decades. You’ll gain a nuanced understanding of economic, demographic, and technological trends reshaping colleges, along with insights into internal institutional changes like enrollment shifts and alternative credentialing. The book offers detailed scenarios and responses that can help institutions and stakeholders navigate challenges such as shrinking enrollments and public funding cuts. If you’re invested in the future of postsecondary education, this book provides a clear-eyed, data-driven perspective on what lies ahead.
Simone C. O. Conceição is a professor and chair at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a doctorate in adult and distance education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Alongside Les Howles, who brings over 30 years of experience in distance education and instructional design, they crafted this book to address the evolving needs of online learners. Their combined academic and professional backgrounds underpin the thoughtful strategies presented, making this volume a well-grounded resource for anyone seeking to improve the online learning experience through learner-focused design.
Simone C. O. Conceição is a professor and chair in the Department of Administrative Leadership at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She received her doctorate in adult and distance education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master's in adult and continuing education leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has served on the editorial board of six journals and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals; written more than 20 book chapters; and authored five books on the topics of online education, adult learning, online student motivation and support, and faculty workload when teaching online. Les L. Howles has over 30 years professional experience in distance education, eLearning, media production, and instructional design. He has held multiple positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison including director of Distance Education Professional Development, team leader for the Learning Solutions group and senior eLearning consultant. Throughout his career, Howles has developed and taught online courses, designed educational software, and led groups of professionals in creating innovative learning solutions for education and training. He has worked in multiple industries including higher education, corporate training, government, health care, K–12 and is an independent learning design strategist for Howles Associates. He serves on the editorial board of eLearn Magazine and has authored and coauthored numerous articles for professional publications. Howles holds undergraduate degrees from Saint Edward’s University and the State University of New York. He earned his graduate degree in Educational Technology from the University of Oregon. Howles has been a frequent presenter at regional, national, and international conferences and directed the Annual Distance Teaching & Learning Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.
Simone C. O. Conceição and Les Howles bring decades of combined expertise in adult education and instructional design to explore a learner-centered approach in online course creation. Rather than focusing solely on instruction, they emphasize designing the entire online learning journey, integrating interactions between content, instructors, and peers. You’ll discover concrete strategies for making online courses more engaging and meaningful, including evidence-based principles to boost learner motivation and deeper understanding. The book also highlights a practical example of applying Design Thinking to course design, making it a useful guide for both newcomers and experienced educators aiming to transform their online teaching practices.
Mya Poe, Director of the Writing Program at Northeastern University, emphasizes the importance of this book for educators who recognize the power of their written words. Poe highlights how the guide’s dedication to valuing teachers’ voices—across classroom, research, credential, and stakeholder writing—reshaped her understanding of writing’s potential in education. "At the heart of A Student's Guide to Academic and Professional Writing in Education is a commitment to the value of teachers’ voices... this hopeful potential of teaching writing to aspiring teachers underscores its importance across disciplines and communities," she notes, reflecting on how it deepened her appreciation for writing as a tool for educational impact.
Director of Writing Program, Northeastern University
“At the heart of A Student's Guide to Academic and Professional Writing in Education is a commitment to the value of teachers’ voices―that what teachers write matters, whether it be classroom writing, research writing, credential writing, or stakeholder writing. And it is this hopeful potential of teaching writing to aspiring teachers that underscores the value of teaching writing across the disciplines and into the community today.”
Katie O. Arosteguy, Alison Bright, Brenda J. Rinard, Mya Poe(you?)·
About the Author
Katie O. Arosteguy, Alison Bright, and Brenda J. Rinard are senior lecturers in the University Writing Program at the University of California, Davis, where they teach professional writing, including a course on writing in education. They are all National Writing Project Teacher-Consultants.
This guide emerges from the combined expertise of University of California, Davis lecturers deeply engaged in professional writing education. It focuses on preparing educators to navigate various writing contexts they encounter, from classroom reflections to formal research and stakeholder communications. You’ll learn how to tailor your writing for different audiences and purposes, supported by examples and exercises that sharpen your skills through practice. The book’s emphasis on writing as a critical intellectual responsibility makes it especially useful for preservice and practicing teachers aiming to influence educational practices and policies through clear, purposeful communication.
Nicole Feliciano, CEO of Momtrends Media and a recognized style and parenting expert, highlights the unexpected importance of this guide for college-bound families. She shares how, amid preparing for her kids' college years, she found this book more essential than typical dorm essentials. "I'm finally diving in to the Greatest College book and it's awesome. Please send you kids off with this...it's more important than the perfect sheet set or mini fridge!" Her endorsement underscores how this resource offers practical, relatable guidance that reshapes how families approach student wellness during higher education transitions.
CEO of Momtrends Media, style and parenting expert
“I'm finally diving in to the Greatest College book and it's awesome. Please send you kids off with this...it's more important than the perfect sheet set or mini fridge!” (from X)
Jill Henry, a veteran statistics teacher, and Dave Henry, a Peabody award-winning TV and film editor, leverage their combined professional skills to create informative resources for young adults. They live in Los Angeles with their two young kids.
What started as a collaboration between a statistics teacher and an award-winning film editor became a refreshingly straightforward guide to navigating the health pitfalls of college life. Jill and Dave Henry focus on teaching you how to manage stress, nutrition, sleep, exercise, and mental health during those formative undergraduate years, grounding their advice in both research and relatable student experiences. You’ll find practical insights on overcoming common challenges like the Freshman Fifteen, anxiety, and time management, with chapters dedicated to topics such as balancing social life with self-care. This book suits anyone entering college or supporting students, offering a realistic roadmap for maintaining wellness amid campus pressures.
Michael Neitzel, recognized for curating Forbes's best higher education books, highlights this work as a crucial vision for public universities. He appreciates how the book frames colleges as infrastructures serving public missions rather than businesses, a perspective that challenges prevailing assumptions. Neitzel's endorsement underscores the book’s call for systemic change, reflecting his deep engagement with the future of higher education and its societal role.
John Warner is a writer, editor, speaker, teacher, and consultant. Since 2001, he's held a series of teaching positions at four different institutions, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Virginia Tech, Clemson University and College of Charleston, where he currently holds the title of faculty affiliate. Warner writes the Just Visiting blog at Inside Higher Ed, where he has become a national voice on issues of faculty labor and writing pedagogy. He also writes a weekly column for the Chicago Tribune on books and reading as his alter ego, The Biblioracle. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
Drawing from his extensive experience teaching at multiple universities, John Warner critiques the current public higher education system, emphasizing how competition and privatization have shifted priorities away from genuine learning. You’ll gain insight into the historical forces that made tuition unaffordable and adjunct faculty precarious, as well as practical ideas for reorienting colleges toward intellectual and social growth rather than mere enrollment numbers. Warner challenges you to reconsider what values truly drive education, making this a thoughtful exploration for anyone invested in reshaping public academia. Chapters discuss concrete shifts needed to build a system that benefits students and communities alike.
Sonya Christian, Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, knows the stakes of effective digital course design firsthand. She highlights how "Effective digital course design that includes the use of smartphones has become more important than ever," especially given students' busy lives and recent shifts to fully digital classrooms. Christian appreciates how Alex Rockey addresses the challenges educators face transitioning to mobile environments and offers practical strategies that helped her rethink course accessibility. Alongside Michelle Pacansky-Brock, an online educator and faculty developer, they both see this book as a turning point in how mobile devices are framed—not as distractions but as powerful learning tools.
“Effective digital course design that includes the use of smartphones has become more important than ever, whether because of the growing use of apps, the sudden demand for fully digital courses during COVID, or simply the evolving need for interactive and immersive instruction that once took place primarily in a physical classroom. In her book, The Mobile Course Design Journey: Transforming Access in Higher Education, Dr. Rockey offers a summary of issues and advantages to offering mobile-friendly instruction. Dr. Rockey gives careful consideration to student access issues and addresses concerns that some instructors may have about successfully transitioning to courses in a mobile environment. The book is an engaging read with simple tips for educators seeking to make their courses mobile friendly while making the case that smartphones can be an effective learning tool for students with busy lives.”
Alex Rockey is a professor in Academic Technology at Bakersfield College. She has a PhD in Education from UC Davis. With more than 10 years of experience as an educator in K-16 contexts, she has expertise in teaching and researching how and why students use phones for learning, mobile-friendly course design, mobile learning, emerging technologies, and online education. Alex is passionate about the potential of online education and mobile-friendly course design to increase access to higher education and has experienced first-hand how education can transform the lives of individuals and their families.
Alex Rockey draws from over a decade of experience in education technology to tackle the growing necessity of mobile-friendly courses in higher education. In this book, you’ll find a practical rubric to evaluate how well your course content adapts to mobile devices and a toolkit for leading workshops that demystify mobile learning. Rockey's focus is on leveraging students’ existing mobile literacies to improve access and engagement, not simply adding technology for its own sake. Whether you’re an instructor or faculty support professional, you’ll gain insight into creating courses that meet students where they are, with chapters dedicated to equity-minded pedagogy and gradual implementation strategies.
Monica Stitt-Bergh, President of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education, recommends this handbook for its unique balance of practical, theoretical, and technical perspectives essential for anyone leading assessment efforts at colleges and universities. She emphasizes that "This handbook is a must-have for faculty, staff, and administrators who lead assessment efforts or are involved with faculty development on their campus." Her endorsement reflects the book’s ability to connect complex measurement theories directly to the realities faced on campuses. Similarly, Peter Ewell, President Emeritus of NCHEMS, notes that this volume gathers top experts to clarify terminology and techniques, making it a resource that will remain relevant for decades.
“This handbook is a must-have for faculty, staff, and administrators who lead assessment efforts or are involved with faculty development on their campus. The editors have brought together stellar contributors who, together, balance the practical, theoretical, and technical aspects of measurement, evaluation, and learning assessment in ways that are immediately useful.”
Charles Secolsky is on the faculty at Rockland Community College and County College of Morris, USA. D. Brian Denison is Institutional Research Analyst in the Director of Studies’ Office for Champlain Regional College, Quebec, Canada.
What started as the need to close the gap between higher education practice and advances in measurement drove Charles Secolsky and D. Brian Denison to assemble this handbook. You’ll find a detailed exploration of theories, terminology, and methods that shape assessment and evaluation in colleges and universities. This book equips you with insights into integrating technical measurement tools with institutional decision-making, supported by contributions from respected scholars. It’s especially useful if you’re involved in faculty development, student affairs, or institutional research, providing a clear bridge between scholarly concepts and campus practice.
Gayle Forman, a respected author and advocate for social issues, highlights this book's significance in understanding higher education's impact on social mobility. She encountered it while reflecting on systemic inequality in education, finding its perspective both illuminating and challenging. "This book is riveting, enlightening, infuriating in the best of ways. It not only deconstructs how higher ed can stymie social mobility, but also shows how the massive inequality plaguing our country does not happen accidentally. It happens by design." Forman's recommendation underscores how the book reshapes thinking about who benefits from college and why.
“This book is riveting, enlightening, infuriating in the best of ways. It not only deconstructs how higher ed can stymie social mobility, but also shows how the massive inequality plaguing our country does not happen accidentally. It happens by design.” (from X)
Paul Tough is the author of Helping Children Succeed and How Children Succeed, which spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller lists. He is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and a regular contributor to the public-radio program This American Life. Tough's work focuses on education, parenting, equity, and student success.
Paul Tough, known for his deep dive into educational equity and child development, challenges conventional views on college in this book. You explore how higher education today often perpetuates social inequality, revealing how admissions, standardized testing, and institutional pressures shape who benefits most. Through chapters that transition from elite Ivy League settings to community colleges, you gain nuanced insights into the systemic forces at play and the real experiences of students navigating this landscape. This book suits anyone interested in the mechanics of social mobility and the true impact of college beyond traditional narratives.
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Conclusion
This collection paints a multifaceted portrait of higher education's challenges and opportunities. Themes of leadership, equity, institutional change, and student well-being thread through the works, offering a rich toolkit for navigating academia’s evolving demands.
If you're grappling with leadership challenges, start with "Leadership in Higher Education" and "Crisis Leadership in Higher Education" for practical strategies. For those focused on equity and social dynamics, "The State Must Provide" and "The Privileged Poor" open vital dialogues on inclusion and justice. Combine these with trend-focused reads like "Academia Next" for a forward-looking perspective.
Alternatively, you can create a personalized Higher Education book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and lead with confidence in complex academic environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Start with "The Great Upheaval" for a broad view of higher education's past and future. It sets a foundation for understanding key challenges before diving into specialized topics.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to Higher Education?
No, several books like "The Writing Workshop" and "A Student's Guide to Academic and Professional Writing in Education" cater to newcomers and early-career academics seeking practical skills.
What's the best order to read these books?
Begin with historical and systemic analyses, then explore leadership and student-focused works. Finish with future-oriented titles to grasp emerging trends and innovations.
Should I start with the newest book or a classic?
Balance is key. Recent books like "Academia Next" offer fresh perspectives, while established works like "A History of American Higher Education" provide crucial context.
Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?
"The State Must Provide" and "Dark Academia" delve into theory and critique, while "Leadership in Higher Education" and "Designing the Online Learning Experience" offer actionable strategies.
How can I get insights tailored to my specific higher education role or goals?
While expert books offer broad insights, personalized content can bridge theory and practice. Consider creating a personalized Higher Education book to tailor knowledge to your unique situation and accelerate your growth.
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