COLUMBIA, Ky. – Lindsey Wilson College Dean Benson Sexton is learning about the common threads that run through nearly three dozen Appalachian colleges and universities.
And he hopes the knowledge he gains will help him weave a stronger social fabric for the region.
Sexton, who is a communication professor and dean of the Lindsey Wilson School of Business and Communication, was selected to participate in the Appalachian College Association Rural Higher Education Leadership Institute.
The yearlong program, which is operated in partnership with the higher-education consulting firm Credo, brings together 30 leaders from all areas of the 33 members of the Appalachian College Association. It’s focused on professional growth and equipping participants to address opportunities and challenges facing leaders in rural higher education.
In addition to developing a greater appreciation of Lindsey Wilson’s unique strengths, Sexton said that another takeaway from his work with the 29 other institute participants is the similarities between ACA schools, which are spread out over six states.
“One of the ideas that was presented to us very early on is that we all represent rural-serving institutions,” said Sexton. “Our schools see a lot of the same challenges, and there are also a lot of exciting opportunities for us as we continue to serve students in our region.”
The institute’s participants have heard from college presidents and higher education leaders from across the nation, who have sketched out what the rest of the 2020s might look like for colleges and universities that serve Appalachia.
One topic the leaders have discussed is how schools can ensure that their graduates will thrive in an economy shaped by artificial intelligence.
“It was made clear to us that we need to continue to talk to business executives and leaders in our region and ask them, ‘What do you need students to know?’” said Sexton. “Then it’s up to us to find ways to serve students so that they are prepared to meet employers’ needs in the new economy that will be emerging over the next five to eight years.”
Other topics addressed at the institute include how to better demonstrate the value of a college education to prospective students and their family members, as well as how to increase the public’s overall faith in higher education.
“The ultimate goal is that this institute will help us give our colleagues at our ACA campuses a better understanding of the landscape of rural higher education, so that we can look for opportunities to work together to meet challenges we face and better serve our students,” said Sexton.
Photo – Lindsey Wilson College School of Business and Communication Dean Benson Sexton was selected to participate in the Appalachian College Association Rural Higher Education Leadership Institute.
(Duane Bonifer – Lindsey Wilson College)