Despite increasing competition and economic challenges, liberal arts institutions are here to stay, says an expert in the field. Guilford College President Dr. Kent John Chabotar shared his insights about the state of the liberal arts and what will make them thrive during a lecture at Heidelberg on Oct. 28.
“We have the opportunity to go from better to great,” he said. “We’re on our way. We just need a stronger push.”
The stronger push, he said, will come by understanding what sets Heidelberg apart and above, and effectively telling the story. “Where you’re unique is your package. That becomes your competitive advantage.”
In a world where just 5 percent of the 19.6 million college students opt for a residential liberal arts college experience, keys to rising above the competition are successfully building personal relationships, creating value around academic reputation and effectively communicating outcomes.
Although the demographic is changing, “Liberal arts colleges are here to stay – if we do the right things,” Dr. Chabotar said. “Be true to your roots but change things around the edges.” Liberal arts institutions, he added, are charged with making the case “that the educating we do is worth it.”
For example, “If you invest X, what’s Y? And don’t tell me it’s a college degree.” Instead institutions must clearly articulate outcomes and make the case that liberal arts graduates are more appealing to employers based on the skill sets (critical thinking, speaking and writing clearly, problem solving, ability to collaborate, to be innovative, creative and ethical, etc.) they bring to the workplace from their liberal arts learning.
With economic forces such as cost increases, fund-raising decreases, smaller endowments and government support and tight budgets bearing down on institutions, liberal arts schools need to make the case that they are affordable, accessible, provide personal attention, enable student success, engender alumni satisfaction and contribute to public good.
Doing so will combat the perceived high price, remote location, lower name recognition and other factors that are potentially detrimental to their prosperity, Dr. Chabotar said.