College and university leadership address post-COVID learning, equity, other pressing issues in higher education

November 01, 2022

The 2022 Postsecondary Education Trusteeship Conference brought together 250 Kentucky higher education trustees and campus leaders, as well as key stakeholders from the K-12 system, workforce and policy-driving organizations, Sept. 19-20 in Louisville. The conference provided sessions on emergent issues in higher education including targeting adult learners, feeding the healthcare workforce pipeline, addressing student basic needs and ensuring equity in student success, among others.

The conference kicked off with a keynote from CPE President Aaron Thompson on how colleges and universities can not only survive, but thrive, in a post-pandemic world. The last two years have been extraordinary ones for higher education, moving online instruction and services from the margin to the mainstream. Thompson addressed how Kentucky’s new statewide strategic agenda challenges campuses to embrace innovative practices that will enable them to succeed in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.

Thompson’s keynote was followed by a panel discussion featuring Kentucky Community and Technical College System President Paul Czarapata, University of Louisville Interim President Lori Stewart Gonzalez, Murray State University President Robert Jackson and Morehead State University President Jay Morgan.

The presidents discussed how they are tailoring the statewide strategic agenda to respond to the unique students and communities they serve.

Day two of the conference began with a keynote from Arthur Levine, distinguished scholar of higher education at New York University, president emeritus of Teachers College at Columbia University and president emeritus of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Levine is the author of The Great Upheaval, hailed by critics as “a crisp, cogent case for the future of higher education in America.” In his presentation, Levine predicted what lies in store for higher education and the ways in which institutions can position themselves for continued relevance, stability and success.

Attendees at the CPE 101: The Roles and Responsibilities of KY’s Statewide Coordinating Board breakout session explored the ways in which CPE’s work differs from, yet complements, the work occurring on campuses. They discussed the roles and responsibilities of CPE, the legislative and budget development process and the performance funding model.

Attendees at the Principles of Effective Trusteeship breakout session heard from the leadership of the Association of Governing Boards about the nine essential Principles of Trusteeship to help them become a more productive board member.

The second-day luncheon featured an address by Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, who discussed the value of higher education and how the administration plans to meet challenges facing Kentucky institutions after several years of unprecedented and unpredictable challenges.

The final session of the conference brought Sen. Reginald Thomas, Rep. James Tipton, Rep. Derrick Graham and CPE President Aaron Thompson to the stage to take audience questions and discuss the higher education issues that will take center stage during the 2023 General Assembly.