November 2009

When Charles Dickens opened A Tale of Two Cities with his now famous words—“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”—he captured the ambivalence of a society in upheaval and transition. The 21st century academy is also experiencing the best and worst of times. The growth of higher education provides the potential for greater access and expanded opportunity. Our students are now more diverse, more technologically savvy, and more globally aware than any previous college generation. Yet all members of the educational community—students, faculty, and administrators,—are currently experiencing the challenges of uncertain times. These challenges have come in the form of financial difficulties, closer scrutiny and accountability, and mismatches between faculty and student expectations. In this time of difficulty, how are educational institutions responding in a manner that benefits all of their constituents? How are we turning challenges into opportunities?

In November 2009 faculty members and other representatives of Faculty Resource Network institutions addressed these questions and issues during a national symposium on “Challenge as Opportunity: The Academy in the Best and Worst of Times,” hosted by Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.

This event also provided an occasion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Network, reflect on its past accomplishments, and look forward to how it can energize our academic community in the years to come. Participants were invited to contribute to our collective mission of identifying and shaping the future priorities of higher education. In this time of transition, the role of the academy becomes even more essential as a source of insight, innovation and inspiration.