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By Lester A. Lefton,
Lois Margaret Nora
and Luis M. Proenza
Published on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008
As public university presidents we know that the many and significant changes taking place worldwide are causing shifts and challenges in the daily lives of most everyone. Even the American Dream is becoming more nebulous and challenging, maybe even elusive.
Yet in the face of rising costs, thousands of families in Northeast Ohio are ''doing whatever it takes'' to pay for college because they understand that — especially in this time of economic uncertainty — there is one investment that remains a great value: higher education.
The fact that so many individuals (from high school graduates to adults seeking new skills or careers) and their families are willing to incur considerable debt in pursuit of a college degree is compelling proof that most Americans understand the value of higher education. In purely financial terms, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that across their careers, college graduates earn an average $1 million more than high school graduates. Not surprisingly, this educational advantage is even greater for those with master's, doctoral and professional degrees.
There are many more benefits of a college education — for individuals, families, states and for society as a whole — that have nothing to do with dollars. Studies have shown that college graduates have:
• Increased personal and professional mobility.
• Increased job security.
• Decreased prejudices.
Those with advanced education also tend to have a higher quality of life and better health.
Recognizing both the value and the high cost of college education motivates most university presidents to spend a great deal of time working to decrease the costs of attending our institutions and seeking private dollars to fund scholarships.
Our student financial aid offices employ highly knowledgeable and helpful staff members. They know how to navigate the maze of federal financial-aid requirements and are there to provide personal assistance in identifying and applying for a variety of financial-aid options. If you are interested in attending the University of Akron, Kent State University or the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, you will find our user-friendly financial-aid Web sites at: http://www.uakron.edu/admissions/finAid.php; http://www.sfa.kent.edu; and http://www.neoucom.edu/audience/applicants. Institutional financial-aid sites are among the first stops every prospective student should make as he or she considers how to cover the cost of college.
The most important thing that we can stress is that no student or family should reject pursuing higher education because of the cost. At the same time, we cannot stress enough how important it is that students and their parents take a highly proactive approach to covering the cost of college.
Many families start saving for a college education before their children begin preschool. College savings plans — including 529 plans, of which Ohio has one of the best — can be very helpful to parents with children of all ages.
It is also important to leave no scholarship stone unturned. There is an astounding variety of scholarship support out there, including many that are not based on financial need or academic superiority. Good places to begin the search for scholarships are: http://www.collegeboard.com; http://www.scholarships.com; http://www.aspiringdocs.org; http://www.collegeanswer.com; http://www.fastweb.com; and http://www.nextstudent.com.
Though many students and their families bear heavy burdens to obtain a college degree, we have heard countless alumni say that the success and satisfaction they enjoy as college graduates far outweigh the struggles and sacrifices made on the path from convocation to commencement.
The return on investment is particularly high from public universities. We provide superb foundations in literally hundreds of fields — including emerging fields such as biotechnology and traditional fields such as pharmacy and nursing that virtually guarantee good jobs. And we do it at about one-fifth the price of private universities.
We also have heard many parents say that they have come to view a college degree much as they do other big-ticket items that require payments across months and years. These parents and students know the ''bottom line'' — higher education is an investment that will yield a lifetime of personal, professional and societal dividends.
Lester A. Lefton is president of Kent State University.
Lois Margaret Nora is president of the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy.
Luis M. Proenza is president of the University of Akron.
As public university presidents we know that the many and significant changes taking place worldwide are causing shifts and challenges in the daily lives of most everyone. Even the American Dream is becoming more nebulous and challenging, maybe even elusive.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 09:55 AM, 10/12/2008
The way college cost are rising. College presidents will be out of jobs within ten years because there will be too few students who can afford the tuition to keep these monstrous facilities open. Here is another example of public servants who have forgotten they are public servants. They only serve themselves.
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:07 PM, 10/12/2008
Bob, No one is anyone's servant. These three individuals are dedicated public employees who have a great deal of intelligence, compassion and vision. So, Chicken Little. If the future holds anything, it is a bigger and more worthy space for "these monstrous facilities". It is because of their existence that we have hope for the future in our nation. Universities are the keystone of growth and progress in our culture.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:16 PM, 10/12/2008
Bob, your statement has not data supporting it, since enrollment keeps going up even though the cost of education is also going up.
Akron, Oh
Posted 04:52 PM, 10/12/2008
UA's enrollment is up 5%...go zips.
Posted 06:37 PM, 10/12/2008
David and Brian - You say I have no data to support it. I just paid the tuition for two students to make it through UA. I make over 100K per year and it was tough to get them through. I cannot image what it must be like for students whose parents can't afford to help them get through and are unwilling to help. (BTW I was able to pay my way thru UA back when tuition was less than $1000/year.) Maybe you should ask a student who has raked up over $50-60K in debt about the affordability of college. The ability to secure loans and the ability to pay them off is getting further out of reach. I agree Universities are the hope and future of our nation but Proenza and the likes only appear interested in empire building. University leaders are public servants. If you don't think so then maybe that identifies why American government has gone so awry. Public officials have forgot they serve their electorate.
akron, oh
Posted 07:09 PM, 10/12/2008
Bob - I find it telling that nowhere in your post did you mention either one of your two kids working while in college.
akron, oh
Posted 07:12 PM, 10/12/2008
And David - it is "these monstrous facilities." (p.s. mark smith has webbed feet.)
akron, oh
Posted 07:29 PM, 10/12/2008
David - please note the punctuation error. "these monstrous facilities". - should be "these monstrous facilities." Sister Mary Blanche.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:21 PM, 10/12/2008
Bob, you are data does not support that increasing tuition is harming student numbers as enrollment is at an all time high.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:19 AM, 10/13/2008
Tim, er Sister Mary Blanche, my you are the pedantic one today aren't you. And Bob, what proof do you have that Proenza and the like aren't sincere. Empire building indeed! UA has pretty much of a dinky campus and someone like Proenza is now bringing it up to snuff. Again, there are no such thing as servants in our society, public or otherwise. You do have the flare for melodrama and demaguogery but not facts. Seems to me that with all your concern over the cost of higher education, you should be advocating the passage of Issue 8. BTW claiming that you make 100k or that you have children at all is hardly proof of anything.
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:36 AM, 10/13/2008
We all have a job to do and obligations to fulfill Bob. Whether one works in the public or private sector, we are all answerable to someone. Being a tax payer does not make us magical beings with anymore rights than being a customer in a grocery store. That said, take a look at the following and see if you measure up: Magazine honors Proenza with Visionary Award
09/19/2008
For a decade, University of Akron President Luis M. Proenza has vigorously advocated economic leadership through innovation; development of a regional economic identity for Northeast Ohio; and increased collaboration among communities, academia, government and industry.
For his achievements, Smart Business magazine presented Proenza with a Visionary Award as part of the 2008 Innovation in Business Conference on Sept. 18 in Westlake, Ohio.
History of innovation
Proenza is a clear example of whom the award committee seeks to honor each year — executives who have demonstrated a history of innovative ideas through their careers or have developed processes or procedures that are on the cutting edge, says Dustin S. Klein, executive editor for Smart Business.
The magazine honored a number of leaders with Visionary and Rising Star awards during the conference.
"This year's Visionary and Rising Star honorees represent an impressive group of forward-thinking business and community leaders," Klein says. "The diversity of the organizations represented in the class of 2008 is a testament to the level of innovation being plied at established companies, start-up firms, nonprofits and universities in Northeast Ohio. At a time when the bulk of the news being reported about the region can be negative, it's time to shine a light on the depth and breadth of the positive things that are happening. At least from our vantage point, the future of this region seems bright, indeed."
Leadership regionally
