We were able to get a couple more weeks (that is, one more now) to work on the initial New Program Proposal, since one of the key people who will need to see it is out of town. That's great because it seems to take me awhile to find the right words to put things in... and I don't want to leave anything key out of it. Also, while the proposal itself isn't so complicated to write, the process really helps me wrap my mind around the larger principles of what is best for this kind of educational expansion. Even though it's easy to get wrapped up in this particular goal (online ICCD!) - and I do - I'm using also it to refine my vision for what ought to happen globally in higher education. And the best way to do that is to look at the needs and talk to some key players
in those areas of need, globally. For instance: the fight against human trafficking. I'm thrilled to be making some amazing connections in these areas and having some great conversations about how this kind of education can affect that particular big picture.
What's your take on this?
- When you think about things that can transform the world, how does education fit in?
- Who are the people who most need a program like International Care and Community Development in order to be more effective?
- What are the obstacles stopping them from being in the program? (Any besides the obvious - money, accredited education, and language?)
- What creative solutions can you think of to these issues?
- How might social entrepreneurship provide answers to these issues - starting with finances for students? How could a program like ICCD really work that in from the beginning?
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI am pondering your last bullet point regarding social entrepreneurship. I haven't come up with any workable solutions, but I can agree it is a huge obstacle for students entering the program. I spent almost two years at BGU and another two in my current position listening to students panic about money. If they're panicking they're not working on transformation....
If ICCD works on this in the beginning, right from the first point of contact between the student and the program, they'll be much better off. You'll want admissions and the program's business office to include money as part of the first conversation so nothing is a surprise. Because of the international nature of the program, most students wont have eligibility for Title IV federal money, but Northwest could explore the short-term school loan option. You get influential donors to consider micro-lending to potential students as well.
Okay, enough insomniatic posting. I miss you! Good luck!!!
Rachel -
ReplyDeleteAwesome to hear from you! And you bring up very good points...
There are applicants to the current program from all over the world, but it takes a lot of creativity to figure out how to pay for a typical American degree. Fortunately, yes, the staff are very upfront about costs, and I know that will continue.
I love that you thought of micro-lending for this. :) That's a new one!Something to think about...
St. John's does it much the same as BGU: heavy scholarships. But you and I know that one can't always depend on that... So what could be more creative, more innovative, more sustainable?
Could a university start a social-entrepreneurship type company whose profits would fund these micro (or not so micro!) loans - and gifts as well? Could we provide a connection between a region/city/village's products, and the American market, that would directly subsidize this kind of education? Would fair trade coffee be even cooler if you could see the face of the student making some profit through it? Or tea? Or moringa? :) Would you click a box to increase your book purchase price by 20% (tipping!) on Amazon Marketplace, if you knew you were giving learning to someone else too? Actually I kind of like that one... you set yourself up as the lowest priced seller on Amazon Marketplace, and then include an auto-checked box to tip 20% for world change, with a button saying "Learn and Let Learn: Maddie's Story" (featuring different students). Clicking on the button or unchecking the box would get you a little pop-up window explaining what we are doing and how Maddie is setting out to change the world.
Of course - I just have no idea if this could be profitable enough to make it worth it.
Anyone have any better ideas? :)
Thanks Rachel... I love an excuse to brainstorm!
Miss you too girl!
Lisa
Hi Lisa
ReplyDeleteSo... the extra week has gone by, and I'm eager to read about the gains and setbacks. Have they key sponsors aligned on who the target audience is? Has that made the value proposition easier to define? Has that led to any answers for the many good questions you posed in an earlier post; e.g. how does education fit in? Are you starting to see any baby steps that would be catalytic for next steps?
Barry
Hi Barry! :)
ReplyDeleteWell... yes, it has been a long "week". That turned into more of a target date than a deadline. :) We are in the revision process now though and I really hope to have my (last) part done by this weekend sometime. Yes, I think we do know now who the target audience is. :) I'm happy about how the proposal is coming together, for sure.
As to how education fits into transforming the world... No, I don't have any brilliant thoughts on that, at least not so far. :) I was hoping to get responses from other people to spur me on! (Or to give me good food for thought for a thesis question!) But I can say that I have LOVED connecting with people all over Europe who also love the idea of a hybrid ICCD program, and tell me why, and what they are doing to change the world, and how this could help.
I'm not sure about baby steps that would be catalytic for next steps. Can you give me an example? I do feel like the contacts I am making and ideas/leads for this are snowballing around me, and my responsibility suddenly is to learn how to follow through with the best ideas, and not worry about the rest. I'm not always very good at that... I like to cast a very wide net and then close it in and sort. Here I'm learning to start small and strategic and then follow multiple leads as it all expands. :)
Thanks for your help, Barry!