Advocate Online

On the Road
with Rachel Hendrickson

In October I journeyed to Ames, Iowa, for the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) higher education conference. With more than 70 attendees, it was the largest ever. The welcome from John Hieronymous, ISEA president, kicked off two days of great sessions.

The one that especially pleased me was led by Michael Hall and John Bybee, graduates of NEA’s 2003 Emerging Leader Academy (ELA). Their session accomplished what we hoped would happen when we began the ELA. They passed on the knowledge they gained to others in their state.

They talked about the essence of leadership on campus and in the state organization and encouraged current leaders to search out potential new leadership candidates and bring them forward. ISEA is looking into expanding next year’s conference to include its own version of the ELA.

Unfortunately, I had to bring depressing news from Washington. If one size doesn’t fit all under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, it isn’t going to fit all under some of the proposed amendments to the Higher Education Act.

What looms in front of us, if we’re not careful, is the same carrot and stick—without the carrot—approach to accountability in higher education. But there is still a chance to influence the debate on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

The folks from Iowa have a prime opportunity—as do all those in primary states. When the candidates do their do-si-do handshake routine, higher education faculty and staff need to grab those hands and stare them in the eye until they promise to support a new act that encourages quality, affordable, accessible higher education for all in this country.

— Rachel Hendrickson coordinates NEA higher ed activities.