Interview with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Ed Chancellor Daniel Greenstein

Today we’re talking to Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Ed Chancellor Daniel Greenstein.  Chancellor Greenstein is feeling optimistic about where we are in the pandemic, and is proud of what Pennsylvania institutions have overcome and achieved despite everything happening this past year.  When deciding about the kind of role he was interested in pursuing after leaving his post as the Director of Postsecondary Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Greenstein says he was looking for universities and systems that served large numbers of the students he’s passionate about: low-income, first generation and students of color.  Since arriving in Pennsylvania, Chancellor Greenstein says  he and his team has spent a lot of time putting operational levers in place.

The declining state investment by Pennsylvania has driven increases in tuition and negatively impacted affordability for Pennsylvanians. He raised the complex challenges the state is facing and voiced his appreciation for the faculty, staff, administrators, board members, and students banding together to identify the path forward. He shared that there was clear urgency to make some design changes given the current realities of the state, the system, and higher education trends. With a 21% decrease in student enrollment and a 62% increase in net average cost of attendance, Pennsylvania is facing significant pressure that will likely be experienced by other states very soon. Chancellor Greenstein says from a leadership standpoint you need to be ruthlessly transparent.  By not acting we’re sacrificing the future of the state and students.  We can’t afford to point fingers or look back, we need to keep looking forward.

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Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org.