With more than a quarter of a century of filmmaking under his belt, Spike Lee has begun working with students to provide opportunities for them to reach their dreams. The tough-minded director on set has proven to have a soft spot when it comes to youth and the next generation of filmmakers. Lee is a welcomed guest lecturer offering candid…

This article profiles Gwen Ifill, a reporter-anchor Monday through Wednesday for "The News Hour," the daily in-depth news reporting program on PBS, and managing editor and moderator of "Washington Week," the widely-respected and watched weekend news and analysis program, also on PBS. With a resume that boasts experience as a reporter for "The…

As arguably the two people most often associated with community college leadership, Drs. John and Suanne Roueche have enriched the lives of thousands of administrators, faculty and staff at community colleges, thereby strengthening their institutions and students. For the Roueches, their marriage and first professional collaboration began almost…

As he prepares to leave for National American University (NAU), Dr. John E. Roueche, the longtime director of the Community College Leadership Program (CCLP) at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, is criticizing the direction of the program that he helped develop. Roueche is concerned that at a time when community college enrollment is…

When Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden took on her newly created job this month at the University of Maryland's flagship College Park campus, she assumed a challenge at the school with a lot riding on her shoulders--helping the University of Maryland strengthen its diversity efforts and, thus, its relevance to the state in the future and standing among the…

When it comes to leadership, women are now taking on long overdue roles. This article presents 25 dynamic women in the world of higher education and beyond. They lead some of the most demanding and consequential organizations and programs on the planet. No longer sitting on the decision-making sidelines, they have shattered the glass ceiling and,…

In previous anniversary editions, this publication has featured accomplished and established higher education leaders of note. In this article, the author features 25 up-and-coming leaders, many of whom are carrying the diversity mantle forward in an avowed commitment to progress. Narrowing the field of great academicians and advocates to just 25…

Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education, is charged with enforcing a wide range of education equity laws. Ali was a passionate activist in California helping champion educational equity for minorities. Today, as Ali approaches her third year working as assistant secretary for civil rights, she says she has…

This article features Kenneth Avila, Northwestern University's junior centerfielder in baseball. He has volunteered at a Christian youth camp, in a Buddy Ball game with disabled and special education children, and at a sports day at a local elementary school. He has read to children in classrooms at local schools and helped out at a Halloween…

This article features Oklahoma State University (OSU) soccer midfielder Yolanda Odenyo. Odenyo grew up in Sweden the daughter of a Swedish mother and Kenyan father. Each year, she would spend her summer months in either Kenya or Zaire. She believes her extensive travels gave her a global perspective and a strong appreciation for human rights and…

As Barack Obama's rise to power inspires a flood of books, scholars hope the publishing trend will yield serious analysis. Barack Obama's rise from Illinois politics to the U.S. presidency has inspired authors to produce a flood of books chronicling the 44th commander in chief's life story and political career. Obama's political odyssey invites…

When Dr. Modesto "Mitch" Maidique was tapped to be president of Florida International University (FIU) in 1986, the public commuter school in Miami-Dade County wasn't much of a head-turner. It had 15,000 students and offered eight doctoral degree programs. The young university, which opened its doors in 1972, had a $3 million endowment by 1986 and…

In early February 2009, Molly Corbett Broad for the first time in her tenure as the American Council on Education's (ACE) president will preside over the organization's annual national meeting in Washington, D.C. ACE is the largest nonprofit association to represent college and university presidents and chancellors, with a membership drawn from…

Dr. John Hope Franklin chronicled the experiences of African-Americans like no one before him, forcing America to recognize Black history as American history. His contributions were innumerable and his impact was abiding. In celebration of his life and legacy, the authors profile the celebrated scholar and activist, Dr. John Hope Franklin.

Two years after the opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the $110 million center, opened with exhibits on how enslaved African-Americans risked their lives to make the northward trek to freedom. Today, however, the center is shifting its focus while serving as an educational focal point, research asset and change agent.…