Dr. Dan Greenstein sees opportunity in the midst of challenges for the State System.
Members of the Cal U community joined Chancellor Dan Greenstein on a 6.5-mile, early morning bike ride that ended on campus.
During his initial visit to Cal U on Oct. 25, Dr. Dan Greenstein said he believes that Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education has an opportunity to re-imagine public higher education in the 21st century and confront its challenges by creating a culture that allows for “inclusive and courageous conversations.”
Cal U was the ninth stop on Greenstein’s tour of all 14 State System universities. He became the system’s fifth Chancellor on Sept. 4.
“The challenges facing the State System are not unique,” he said. “In fact, they are the same ones confronting virtually all of higher education in this country — how to sustain the System and our universities in order to ensure that all students can affordably get the education they need.
“Sounds daunting, but I believe that by working together with the faculty, staff and students of this great System and our surrounding business, civic and political communities, we’re probably better positioned than anywhere else to take on this challenge — and to succeed in addressing it. “
The Chancellor bluntly pointed out that the instructional and business models of the past may no longer serve today’s students.
“The composition and needs of our student body, the demands made on us by employers, and our funding model have all changed dramatically,” he said.
Greenstein said he sees the months ahead as an opportunity to reset the culture of the State System.
“From my early observations, that culture is one defined by distrust,” Greenstein said. “It appears to involve … a dearth of active listening – the kind of listening that occurs when you really want to understand where another person or group is coming from.
“We can transform our culture. And when we do, it will create the environment in which the inclusive and courageous conversations we must have to chart our course as a system of universities can occur.”
Greenstein also emphasized that all university constituents must work together to make “an irresistible case” for public education to business and community leaders.
“By doing this, we will have begun the long journey toward restoring the public’s trust and our proud place in the hearts and minds of the people of Pennsylvania,” Greenstein said.
“You want so much, as I do, for all of our students to succeed. You want our culture to evolve so we can succeed.”
Greenstein’s schedule at Cal U included meetings with student leaders, faculty and staff leaders, several University trustees and the president’s Cabinet.
University President Geraldine Jones met with him individually and introduced the chancellor to about 250 faculty, staff, students and community members at an open forum.
“As a proud alumna, I can tell you with confidence that the people of California are essential to our success,” she said.
Vulcan Pride Start
Greenstein, an avid cyclist, has started a number of campus visits with a bicycle ride.
He began his day at Cal U by pedaling a hilly, 6.5-mile route, accompanied by more than a dozen members of the campus community. The group took off before sunrise, despite a temperature of just 30 degrees.
“It was a fun ride that started out under a full moon,” the chancellor said at the end of the route. “It was the biggest group of riders yet, and the most challenging course.
“And the coldest ride!”
Afterward, Jesse Maund and Robert Prah, of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, presented the chancellor with a “challenge coin,” an emblem presented to dignitaries and special guests as a sign of respect and welcome.
The chancellor was accompanied on his campus visit by Cynthia Shapira, chair of the Board of Governors; Dana Levine Kunzman, program officer with the Shapira Foundation; and Kenn Marshall, media relations manager for the State System.
“It was a productive visit,” said President Jones. “After spending time with various stakeholder groups, the chancellor has a clearer idea of who we are at Cal U, and we have a sense of his personality and his priorities.
“Change is both inevitable and necessary. I look forward to more of those ‘courageous conversations’ in the months ahead.”