Day 12 Planning, Innovation and Change

Spent the morning discussing Northern Kentucky University and Babson College. Two very interesting cases that showed all the dynamics that can happen in an institution. As the instructor described, "this is a full four framer" referring to the four frames/lens that have been the theme of the last two weeks.

Babson's planning process was inspired by a disconnection from the market and complacency. Under new leadership, faculty worked to revise and update the MBA program to address the interests of the students, trustees and market.  After an extended discussion over several years, they managed to bring online a new innovation in the MBA arena if not in higher education. The change resulted in much improved enrollment and a revitalized program. The innovation caught the attention of a foundation that funded several million dollars to the program. Further funding followed and the innovation inspired a gift to start a new engineering program based on the same concept. $480 million later, the programs were strong, viable programs producing innovative, business grads and strong engineers.

In the afternoon we met the President of the community college in Brownsville, TX. She has done extraordinary work and sets the leadership bar very high. She took a tired community college, grew it to merge with a four year institution, took on the Department of Homeland Security and won. In the midst of all the success she weathered votes of 'no confidence' and managed to keep her position as the first Hispanic female to lead a community college in the US.

The eveing brought a final social gathering and shirt exchange. A great way share our institutions around the world.