Your recent article on Dolores E. Cross (the name as published has been corrected here and in a subsequent reference in this text), president of Chicago State University clearly shows what a college president can be–a true leader and educator, not merely a mechanized revenue generator.
In an era when most college presidents seem consumed with fundraising at the expense of day-to-day leadership and governance and increasing enrollments while disregarding a retention and graduation rates, it is refreshing to see a college president actually leading her institution and, more importantly, educating students.
Her clearly identified student-focused goals, specific plans for promoting academic success, provision of funds to back up ideas, are complemented by her willingness to teach students herself and garner badly needed institutional/faculty support and feedback.
Dolores Cross is a model of badly needed leadership in higher education today; a person willing to articulate a clear vision, follow through with institutional resources and executive commitment, and a person in touch with the needs of today`s students.
