Across the nation, higher education has seen a recent flood of initiatives that seek to leverage the advantages of the “virtual” domain to improve affordability, degree completion rates, and educational outcomes. Many of these initiatives are being driven by calls to fundamentally change the landscape of higher education as we know it — but is this supported by thorough conversation or vision about what the new landscape should look like?

To examine this question, the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV), alongside of a wide range of Virginia’s public higher education institutions, are putting on a two-day event at UMW that will investigate these calls for disruptive change, and chart a path for Virginia public institutions to navigate the possibilities and challenges in the future.

Minding the Future
On Monday, October 14, five thought leaders from multiple disciplines and professional domains will examine the issues, in light of the national landscape of higher education. A series of focused talks throughout the afternoon will be capped by a panel discussion dealing specifically with whether or not public institutions have their head in the sand when it comes to topics such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), distance learning, and the “electronic delivery revolution.” This event is free and open to the public, but you must RSVP to Jim Groom at jimgroom@gmail.com by Friday, October 11.
When: 2:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Jepson Executive Alumni Center
Website: http://openva.org/minding-the-future/

OpenVA
On Tuesday, October 15, an all-day event will include a series of presentations, displays, and panels that showcase digital innovation at Virginia’s state public institutions while grappling with questions about what this innovation means for the future of higher education. The final panel session will integrate the discussions of both days and introduce possible avenues for Virginia’s public institutions to leverage their individual, isolated innovations through broader and more focused collaboration. This event is free and open to the public, but you must RSVP to Jim Groom at jimgroom@gmail.com by Friday, October 11.
When: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: University Hall, Stafford Campus
Website: http://openva.org