{"id":7347,"date":"2024-12-03T10:57:07","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T18:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/?p=7347"},"modified":"2024-12-03T10:57:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T18:57:54","slug":"why-higher-education-is-more-important-than-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/why-higher-education-is-more-important-than-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"Read: Why Higher Education is More Important than Ever"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-14boj4j-75e3bfc9cf4ab286c4f0a6cd4cc579b2\">\n.avia-section.av-14boj4j-75e3bfc9cf4ab286c4f0a6cd4cc579b2{\nbackground-color:#f3f3f3;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='podcast-dome'  class='avia-section av-14boj4j-75e3bfc9cf4ab286c4f0a6cd4cc579b2 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_submenu  avia-builder-el-first  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap fullsize'  ><div 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class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed.webp 1200w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-300x129.webp 300w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-1030x441.webp 1030w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-768x329.webp 768w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-705x302.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed.jpg\" height=\"514\" width=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-1030x441.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-768x329.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-705x302.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" class=\"wp-image-7348 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-7348 avia_image  sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Â鶹´«Ã½ President Rick Bailey Importance of Higher Ed\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  > <\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m48so7og-40f7147b125866787e2f90249e4d3173\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m48so7og-40f7147b125866787e2f90249e4d3173 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:12px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m48so7og-40f7147b125866787e2f90249e4d3173 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p class=\"pop-4\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><em>Image above: Â鶹´«Ã½ President Rick Bailey Jr.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m48sov7x-a6078abafd360536671dc2411a8a1150\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m48sov7x-a6078abafd360536671dc2411a8a1150{\npadding-bottom:10px;\nfont-size:26px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m48sov7x-a6078abafd360536671dc2411a8a1150 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-m48sov7x-a6078abafd360536671dc2411a8a1150 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:26px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m48sov7x-a6078abafd360536671dc2411a8a1150 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:14px;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-m48sov7x-a6078abafd360536671dc2411a8a1150 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-m48sov7x-a6078abafd360536671dc2411a8a1150 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m48sov7x-a6078abafd360536671dc2411a8a1150 av-special-heading-h1 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  pop-12 av-inherit-size'><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Why Higher Education is More Important than Ever<\/h1><div class='av-subheading av-subheading_below'><p><em>December 3, 2024<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m48ssx1o-2c3e77e55eadde3aa6cb626f34f260f1\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m48ssx1o-2c3e77e55eadde3aa6cb626f34f260f1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:16px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m48ssx1o-2c3e77e55eadde3aa6cb626f34f260f1 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>I\u2019m going to start with a disclaimer. I am a university president, so I have an obvious affection for higher education. The university I serve is a regionally responsive, liberal arts institution, so I am admittedly partial to the advantages that come with a broad-based education. Am I biased? Absolutely. But even an objective look at the value of higher education helps validate my claim.<\/p>\n<p>The universe of data is clear and convincing \u2013 on average, college graduates earn nearly a million extra dollars during their lives. But that\u2019s not all. There are higher rates of personal satisfaction and professional advancement reported by college graduates, not to mention the journey of \u201clearning how to learn,\u201d and a better appreciation of all that the world offers. College graduates also are far more adaptable, with the ability to pivot more quickly as workforce environments evolve.<\/p>\n<p>What I am urging here is an objective look at higher education in general and the liberal arts in particular. Unfortunately, the national discourse has started to paint an increasingly unflattering view of colleges and universities. This includes a focus on rising costs and questioning the return on investment of a higher education, and assumptions of partisan political views being promoted to students.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s talk about the investment: What was true about the value of higher education a decade ago remains true today. Data from the Social Security Administration show that college graduates with bachelor&#8217;s degrees earn between $600,000 and $900,000 more in median lifetime earnings than those whose academic journeys end with high school. These figures show that college graduates\u2019 earning power quickly makes up for the wages they may forgo while in school. A college student who enrolls at age 18 and graduates in four years can expect to earn enough by age 34, compared to a high school-educated peer, to make up for being out of the labor force for four years \u2013 and even for borrowing to cover the full costs of tuition and fees, books and supplies.<\/p>\n<p>As for the politics of higher education, I can only speak to the two institutions I have had the honor to serve, Â鶹´«Ã½ and Northern New Mexico College. At both institutions, despite some people\u2019s assumptions that we only fit on one end of the political spectrum, the reality was far different. At both, I can tell you that I have served alongside colleagues with very progressive political views. But I can also tell you that we have teammates \u2013 students, faculty and staff \u2013 with very conservative views.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the point. In higher education, we celebrate a diverse marketplace of ideas. We don\u2019t teach students what to think. We teach them how to think, and perhaps even more important, why they should think. And then we celebrate students&#8217; individual pathways to intellectual discovery and support them in participating in a community that includes a variety of perspectives. I&#8217;d argue that such support is more valuable than ever in an environment of great social divisiveness.<\/p>\n<p>There are also a host of potentially less obvious benefits to higher education that may prove even more fulfilling in the long run. The college experience cultivates critical thinking, and a liberal arts education produces engaged, thoughtful community members. No matter what specific discipline they choose, they will learn skills to analyze complex problems, think deeply and approach challenges from multiple perspectives.<\/p>\n<p>Those are essential skills in a world where many jobs demand both technical expertise and the capacity to adapt, innovate and lead. Higher education encourages students to question assumptions, engage with new ideas and develop the intellectual flexibility required to navigate a constantly changing landscape.<\/p>\n<p>Liberal arts students may practice scientific inquiry and mathematics, similar to their friends who are pursuing focused, technical certifications. But our students are also exposed to literature, philosophy, history, political science and the arts. That intellectual flexibility allows students to see connections between fields, and to practice both creativity and interdisciplinary thinking. Consider a student who is studying history and gains insights into contemporary political issues, for instance, or a philosophy major who uses logical reasoning skills to solve ethical dilemmas in technology or medicine.<\/p>\n<p>Employers in many industries now require their workers to think across traditional disciplinary boundaries, and those who can articulate their thoughts clearly, presenting ideas in a clear and engaging manner, are in high demand. The &#8220;soft skills&#8221; of communication, teamwork and problem-solving that are learned through a diverse education can pay huge dividends. In my role as the president of Â鶹´«Ã½, I meet regularly with an outstanding group of leaders from large employers in our region who continue to tell me that they are looking for more than just technical skills from workers, and that the future growth of their businesses depends on creative and adaptive thinkers.<\/p>\n<p>Those same, in-demand critical thinkers are also prepared and positioned to become leaders in their communities, to be thoughtful neighbors and colleagues, and to contribute to society in meaningful ways.<\/p>\n<p>Specialized, technical credentials or certifications are often celebrated as being a direct path to certain careers, and we are right to consider their importance. But the enduring role of universities as engines for personal and professional growth should not be underestimated. Students who combine a broad base of knowledge with intellectual versatility and adaptability are equipped for success in their professional lives and for relevant positions in society. Our world prizes innovation, adaptability and the knack for complex problem-solving \u2013 now more than ever.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s an enormous honor to lead an institution of higher learning in Oregon. As our state leaders continue to address issues such as housing, behavioral health and early learning \u2013 which we are doing at Â鶹´«Ã½ as well \u2013 we must also strive to become architects for a future that has our state thriving, not just surviving. That transformation requires critical thinking, the ability to work across differences, and adaptive and creative problem solving \u2013 which are what we do best.<\/p>\n<p>So I urge you \u2013 let\u2019s consider the vitality of institutions such as Â鶹´«Ã½. Take into account the resourcefulness of our graduates. And let\u2019s recognize the critical contributions we will make to the future success of our communities and our state \u2013 a success we will all own and enjoy\u00a0together.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='av-social-sharing-box av-so9q0z-c3fdc45d92a39b2566d0625a1f47df4b av-social-sharing-box-default  avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last  av-social-sharing-box-fullwidth'><div class=\"av-share-box\"><h5 class='av-share-link-description av-no-toc '>Share this Message<\/h5><ul class=\"av-share-box-list noLightbox\"><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-facebook' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\" href="https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/why-higher-education-is-more-important-than-ever\/&#038;t=Read%3A%20Why%20Higher%20Education%20is%20More%20Important%20than%20Ever" aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8f3' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on 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ADMISSIONS<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/p><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-7oznfn-473145dc7ff8c921ccac92124ef4c1cf av_one_half  avia-builder-el-23  el_after_av_one_half  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div  '     ><p><div  class='avia-button-wrap avia-button-center  avia-builder-el-24  el_before_av_button_big  avia-builder-el-first  dig-20'>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-5942jn-e6b063c886780f66fa55d30dbdd6251a\">\n#top #wrap_all .avia-button.av-5942jn-e6b063c886780f66fa55d30dbdd6251a{\nbackground-color:#b31d22;\nborder-color:#b31d22;\ntransition:all 0.4s ease-in-out;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .avia-button.av-5942jn-e6b063c886780f66fa55d30dbdd6251a:hover{\nbackground-color:#c4161c;\ncolor:white;\ntransition:all 0.4s ease-in-out;\n}\n<\/style>\n<a href="https:\/\/studentlife.sou.edu\/" class='avia-font-color-white avia-button avia-button-fullwidth av-5942jn-e6b063c886780f66fa55d30dbdd6251a avia-icon_select-no avia-color-custom'  target=\"_blank\" 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RECREATION\"><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >STUDENT RECREATION<\/span><\/a><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-button-wrap avia-button-center  avia-builder-el-26  el_after_av_button_big  avia-builder-el-last  dig-20'>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-2tepf7-e58c77104f23d13ab51c123aef2be439\">\n#top #wrap_all .avia-button.av-2tepf7-e58c77104f23d13ab51c123aef2be439{\nbackground-color:#b31d22;\nborder-color:#b31d22;\ntransition:all 0.4s ease-in-out;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .avia-button.av-2tepf7-e58c77104f23d13ab51c123aef2be439:hover{\nbackground-color:#c4161c;\ncolor:white;\ntransition:all 0.4s ease-in-out;\n}\n<\/style>\n<a href="https:\/\/events.sou.edu\/" class='avia-font-color-white avia-button avia-button-fullwidth av-2tepf7-e58c77104f23d13ab51c123aef2be439 avia-icon_select-no avia-color-custom'  target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"  aria-label=\"Â鶹´«Ã½ CAMPUS EVENTS\"><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >Â鶹´«Ã½ CAMPUS EVENTS<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"micro-text\"><em>December 3, 2024<\/em><\/span> &#8211; President Bailey admits he\u2019s biased toward higher education \u2013 and the value of a liberal arts education. But objectively, there are many advantages that can\u2019t be overlooked: nearly a million extra dollars in lifetime earnings; higher rates of personal satisfaction and professional advancement; a better appreciation of everything around you that comes with \u201clearning how to learn;\u201d the marketplace of ideas found on university campuses; the intellectual flexibility that comes from a broad-based education; and the \u201csoft skills\u201d in communication, creativity, problem-solving and leadership that employers prize. President Bailey urges readers to consider the vitality of institutions such as Â鶹´«Ã½: \u201cTake into account the resourcefulness of our graduates. And let\u2019s recognize the critical contributions we will make to the future success of our communities and our state \u2013 a success we will all own and enjoy together.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":7352,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90,88],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-aside","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-message","category-message-from-the-president","post_format-post-format-aside"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v26.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Read: Why Higher Education is More Important than Ever - Â鶹´«Ã½ Office of the President<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"President Bailey admits he\u2019s biased toward higher education \u2013 and the value of a liberal arts education. But objectively, there are many ...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/why-higher-education-is-more-important-than-ever\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Read: Why Higher Education is More Important than Ever\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"President Bailey admits he\u2019s biased toward higher education \u2013 and the value of a liberal arts education. But objectively, there are many advantages that can\u2019t be overlooked: nearly a million extra dollars in lifetime earnings; higher rates of personal satisfaction and professional advancement; a better appreciation of everything around you that comes with \u201clearning how to learn;\u201d the marketplace of ideas found on university campuses; the intellectual flexibility that comes from a broad-based education; and the \u201csoft skills\u201d in communication, creativity, problem-solving and leadership that employers prize.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/why-higher-education-is-more-important-than-ever\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Â鶹´«Ã½ Office of the President\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-03T18:57:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-03T18:57:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-on-Facebook.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sean Glassford\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"President Bailey admits he\u2019s biased toward higher education \u2013 and the value of a liberal arts education. But objectively, there are many advantages that can\u2019t be overlooked: nearly a million extra dollars in lifetime earnings; higher rates of personal satisfaction and professional advancement; a better appreciation of everything around you that comes with \u201clearning how to learn;\u201d the marketplace of ideas found on university campuses; the intellectual flexibility that comes from a broad-based education; and the \u201csoft skills\u201d in communication, creativity, problem-solving and leadership that employers prize.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-on-Twitter-X.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sean Glassford\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/why-higher-education-is-more-important-than-ever\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/why-higher-education-is-more-important-than-ever\/\",\"name\":\"Read: Why Higher Education is More Important than Ever - Â鶹´«Ã½ Office of the President\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/why-higher-education-is-more-important-than-ever\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/why-higher-education-is-more-important-than-ever\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/Â鶹´«Ã½-President-Rick-Bailey-Importance-of-Higher-Ed-Cover.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-03T18:57:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-03T18:57:54+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/president\/#\/schema\/person\/d63857b3b310cf49180208a32b86d2bc\"},\"description\":\"President Bailey admits he\u2019s biased toward higher education \u2013 and the value of a liberal arts education. 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