“Rethinking Education”
Education is a central component of any society, which reveals its values and what it wants to be in the future. This is true of early education, and it is particularly true in higher education. Historically, the United States has created one of the most expansive, effective, and well-regarded systems of higher education in the world. In the twenty-first century, however, higher education has been rocked by multiple crises. Skyrocketing tuition costs, the economic crash of 2008, new beliefs about the value of expertise, and the current pandemic have shaken higher education and its privileged position in society in fundamental ways. These challenges—along with opportunities offered by new technologies—have raised significant questions about the role of higher education as well as what it might look like in the future.
Join us as we consider the role of education in the twenty-first century. To do so, we will first recognize some of the major issues and problems faced in higher education in modern society. Then, we will explore some of the different ways that education might develop in the future.
We will tackle such problems as: What—if anything—should we do about the rising cost of tuition (not to mention other expenses)? How has the pandemic, as well as other recent crises, affected higher education in the United States? How have advancements in online teaching changed the nature of education? How has the politicization of education and the acquisition of knowledge affected institutions of higher education? Finally, what might education look like in the future?
Moderator:
- Bretton Rodriguez, Lecturer in Core Humanities
Panelists:
- Debra Moddelmog, Dean of UNR College of Liberal Arts
- David Shintani, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education
- Romando Nash, Associate Vice President for Student Life Services
- Austin Brown, ASUN Student Body President