Nate Boswell’s Post

I'm loathe to criticize the University of Michigan as I love the university to an unhealthy degree, and I'm still reveling in the football national championship and 3x wins over Ohio. My experiences there shaped me more than anything outside of my family. So it absolutely pains me to critique the new Vision 2034 as a giant pile of focus grouped garbage that says nothing and means nothing. https://lnkd.in/g79MMqAi "Our vision is to be the defining public university, boldly exemplified by our innovation and service to the common good. We will leverage our interdisciplinarity and excellence at scale to educate learners, advance society, and make groundbreaking discoveries to impact the greatest challenges facing humanity." First off, this could be any public (why does it say public anyway, I want to crush Stanford, Notre Dame, and Princeton too) university anywhere in the world. And you know what I'm gonna stop there. There's no point in parsing this ephemeral banality pretending to be a vision. It's forgotten immediately after reading and cannot serve as a North Star since there is no there there. Simply put, a vision cannot and should not be predicated on the viewpoint of others. Nothing groundbreaking, bold, or innovative can ever come from this. DON'T LET OTHERS DEFINE YOU OR YOU END UP AS THE AVERAGE OF THOSE OTHERS. Michigan is not, nor ever has been average. This vision statement, however, falls far short of even reaching average and isn't remotely close to what we should expect from the leaders and best.

Check out our monthly blog! Read more about how students can find renewal this summer to pave a way for a successful academic year. Here is a sneak peek of the blog 👀 🌟 Remember, Rest, & Refresh 🌟 Reflect, Realign, & Recenter 🌟 Reset, Reimagine, Renovate 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g5Uxkdh9

In the latest episode of Making College "Worth It," Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler and Dawn Whitehead explore the themes of mentored undergraduate research and global learning coming together as an integrated high-impact practice. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eSYQTks7 in a new tab)

On a new episode of Future U, Len Cassuto, author of "The New PhD: How to Build a Better Graduate Education," delved into the complexities of graduate education and the inherent resistance to change within academia. Cassuto's insights challenge us to reconsider our perceptions of the academic job market and the purpose of graduate education. The reality that the golden era of guaranteed academic positions post-PhD was an exception rather than a rule is crucial for current and future graduate students, as well as academic institutions, to grasp. As we navigate the current landscape, the need for adaptability and openness to new models of graduate education and career paths beyond academia becomes increasingly clear. Cassuto's call to action is not just a reflection on past trends but a push towards a more dynamic and realistic approach to academic careers. This episode is made with support from Ascendium's Education Philanthropy and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. #HigherEd #HigherEducation

Education serves as a fundamental driver for personal development and societal advancement. In this article, two of our alumni chat about why they pursued their respective Master's degrees with us and how Yorkville U allowed them to study while balancing all of life’s responsibilities. Learn more: https://okt.to/ciHlQx

Stanford University's Atmosphere for Students Stanford University, renowned for its academic excellence and vibrant campus life, offers students a unique and stimulating atmosphere. Here are some key aspects that contribute to the university's distinctive environment: Academic Rigor and Innovation: * Intellectual Stimulation: Stanford's faculty are world-class experts in their fields, providing students with challenging coursework and thought-provoking discussions. * Research Opportunities: Students have ample opportunities to engage in research projects, both independently and with faculty mentors, fostering a culture of innovation and discovery. * Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Stanford encourages students to explore multiple fields of study, fostering a broad and interdisciplinary perspective. Vibrant Campus Life and Community: * Student Organizations: The university boasts a wide range of student organizations, catering to diverse interests and providing opportunities for leadership and involvement. * Social Events: Stanford hosts numerous social events, from concerts and lectures to athletic competitions, creating a vibrant and engaging campus community. * Outdoor Activities: The university's beautiful campus and proximity to nature offer ample opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and surfing. Supportive Community and Resources: * Mentorship: Stanford provides students with access to mentors, both faculty and peer advisors, who can offer guidance and support throughout their academic journey. * Counseling Services: The university offers comprehensive counseling services to help students navigate academic, personal, and social challenges. * Diversity and Inclusion: Stanford is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community, celebrating the unique experiences and perspectives of its students. Career Preparation and Opportunities: * Career Services: The university's career services office provides students with resources and support to explore career options, build professional networks, and secure internships and full-time jobs. * Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Stanford is a hub for entrepreneurship, offering students opportunities to develop their own businesses and connect with like-minded individuals. In summary, Stanford University offers students a stimulating and supportive environment that fosters academic growth, personal development, and lifelong connections. The university's commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement creates a truly unique and enriching experience for its students.

Discover the hidden gems of academia in Boston! While Harvard and MIT shine brightly, delve deeper to uncover the rich tapestry of universities that call this city home. From the dynamic research community at Boston University to the campus life at Babson University, your perfect fit awaits amidst Boston's diverse academic landscape. Drop the name of a city or state you'd like us to include in our Hidden Gems series in the comments below! #ApplicationAlly #StudyAbroad #CollegeAdmissions #BostonColleges #EducationalConsulting #ApplyWithConfidence

Listen now! A new episode of Future U is available, focusing on the state of Ph.D. programs and graduate education. Leo Cassuto joins hosts Michael Horn and Jeff Selingo for an enlightening discussion. Key moments: - Why PhD education impacts all of higher ed - A "prescription" for improving PhD programs: make them more student-centered, career-diverse, and public-facing - How the increase in PhD student unionization could fundamentally alter universities' cost structures - Rethinking faculty roles: should we have separate teaching and research tracks? Tune in to hear Len's diagnosis of what "ails" graduate education, whether Ph.D.s can successfully transition to careers outside academia, the purpose of a Ph.D., and more. An episode not to miss for anyone interested in the future of higher education! Listen Here: https://lnkd.in/dsTYXuau This episode is made with support from Ascendium's Education Philanthropy and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

2023 brought more inspiration, clarity, and exhaustion than I've experienced in a long, long time... maybe ever. I gathered a few of my thoughts in our annual Founder's Note: "Ten years ago, my classmates and I decided to continue working on a class project after graduation. It was called 'Brain Busters' (a regrettable name that was naturally already taken by a wrestling duo). It was an interactive game to help people learn about neuroscience and society. It was also one of the earliest iterations of The Plenary, Co. model. We’ve embraced several evolutions since then. We’ve facilitated workshops, led free science communication trainings across campuses, developed undergraduate courses and multidisciplinary frameworks, curated artworks, designed curriculum, and even did a brief stint as social platform developers. Some of these experiments were successes and others were... not. But regardless of the outcome, each was an exploration of what could be. They were our attempts to answer the question: if we used what we collectively know about how people stay open, connected, and inspired around ideas, what kind of system would we build? In 2023, we used every learning and insight from the past decade to sculpt a series of experiences that challenge today’s norms for how communities explore ideas, who should be at the center of the conversation, and what it looks like to intricately braid curiosity and creativity together in pursuit of wellbeing for people and the planet. These were our biggest experiments yet. And after ten years of testing and iterating, we’re proud to finally have our answer to that question. Now it’s time to build it." I can't wait for this next phase, and I'm so immensely grateful for all of the stubbornly hopeful and imaginative people who have walked with us this far. Don't forget to rest, yall. We've got a lot of work to do.

Dig into the details of the Dartmouth ruling in Part 2 (of 3) below. We're having conversations with our clients on how this might impact their programs. Part 3, examining potential paths forward, will be out soon. https://lnkd.in/epwn4qW5