Why are you passionate about higher education?

Question

Exploring the depths of dedication to higher education, we've gathered insights from eight professionals, including Managing Directors and Professors. They share their passion, from 'Cultivating Lifelong Learning and Growth' to the pivotal 'Education's Role in Legal Advocacy and Growth'. Dive into the compelling reasons that fuel their commitment to the realm of academia.

Bayu Prihandito · Answer

With a background in both engineering and psychology, I believe higher education extends beyond academic achievement; it's about cultivating a lifelong passion for learning and understanding. The academic environment encourages students to be exposed to diverse perspectives, challenge their own beliefs, and develop critical thinking, which are key for personal growth and social inclusion.
Higher education has the ability to open doors to opportunities, regardless of one's background, that might otherwise be inaccessible, thereby giving everyone the chance to realize their true potential and contribute positively to the world.

Agata Szczepanek · Answer

For me, higher education is much more than just personal success. It empowers people in ways that go beyond learning facts or earning a degree—it equips individuals with the tools to think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions about their lives and the world around them.
Thanks to access to higher education, I have gained a deeper understanding of myself, discovered what fascinates me, and found a rewarding career path. I've also felt the courage to challenge the status quo and become more aware of my place in society. Knowledge is power, and its ability to transform people's lives, showing them they can make a difference, keeps me passionate about higher education.

Maja Kowalska · Answer

For many people, pursuing higher education is the time in their lives when they truly discover their gifts and aptitudes. It's a transformative period that can help them get a clearer picture of the direction they want to take in their life. It's an opportunity to gain knowledge not only in their chosen field of studies but also to get to know themselves better. They might discover that they prefer working independently, following their own schedule, or perhaps they thrive in a fast-paced environment like the corporate world. Maybe they develop a passion for academics and work towards getting a Ph.D. When you open yourself to new things, self-discovery naturally occurs in the process. That is true not only for students entering adulthood. Those who decide to pursue higher education later in life also find it to be a time of self-exploration and pivotal growth.

Tom Hamilton Stubber · Answer

Being a tutor means seeing first-hand the type of person that higher education shapes—a perspective that is sometimes peculiar. Higher education equips people to deal with uncertainty, which is key at a time when so much changes so quickly. At university, people learn to adapt, a skill that transcends disciplinary boundaries and practical applications.
It was never the factual content that was the goal, but that students start to think about what that content is; they question assumptions, challenge facts, and come up with their own ideas. It's not so much about what they learned, as that they learned how to approach new information. It is not about 'delivering content,' as I learned many years later that academics are meant to do. It’s about creating a mindset, about preparing for a future that, as lecturers would rightly tell students, we don’t know what it holds. And that is what continues to drive my interest in higher education: the idea that it is preparing people for the next wave, for whatever might come, however unknowable.

Adam Klein · Answer

My interest in higher education is grounded in the possibility that it can be a context for integral practice—a deliberate cultivation and exploration of an integration of the intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions of the individual. Higher education is a special context because there are unique opportunities to foster this integration in the person. This is not a familiar ideal for higher education, although it has had its advocates.
Integral coaching encourages development in all four quadrants, or as many as possible in the context of a given coaching relationship. In the context of higher education, this might mean cultivating growth not only in the curricular (cognitive, professional development) quadrants but also in the intrapersonal (emotional intelligence, interpersonal skill-building) and the transpersonal (spiritual development or existential questioning) quadrants as well. For example, I partner with educational institutions to integrate practices such as mindfulness training, multi-perspective taking, and ethical reasoning into the curriculum.

Paul Bagdan · Answer

I am passionate about higher education because it provides opportunities and hope to students who long to achieve more out of their career and life. It is two or four (or more) years dedicated to improving and bettering yourself. When else can you really dedicate that much time later in life?

Sarah Gilbert · Answer

As a second-generation college student and only the second woman in my family to attend college, I feel a profound sense of responsibility and excitement about higher education. My own journey has opened my eyes to the transformative power of learning and the doors it can unlock. Working closely with first-generation students further ignited my passion, as I've witnessed firsthand the challenges they face and the incredible resilience they display. Each student's success story reinforces my belief in the vital role of higher education as a catalyst for personal growth, social mobility, and societal progress. I'm driven by the opportunity to support and empower others on their academic journeys, knowing that each graduate represents not just individual achievement, but the potential for generational change. My background and experiences have instilled in me a deep commitment to making higher education more accessible, inclusive, and empowering for all.

Chris Walsh · Answer

As a criminal defense attorney, my passion for higher education stems from a deep belief in its transformative power. Higher education has provided me with more than just technical knowledge; it has nurtured critical-thinking skills, empathy, and the ability to approach complex problems with a nuanced understanding. We frequently handle intricate cases that demand legal expertise as well as an appreciation of the broader social and psychological factors at play.Being the first in my family to attend college opened doors and shaped my perspective, highlighting the importance of education as a means to personal and professional growth. 
Passing the bar at 22 and becoming one of the youngest attorneys in California further reinforced my commitment to education. This early achievement underscored the value of a strong academic foundation and how it can propel individuals to succeed in their careers.Investing in higher education is about preparing the next generation of legal professionals to advocate for justice with integrity and wisdom. It's about creating an environment where critical thinking, effective communication, and creative problem-solving are not just encouraged but expected. By supporting education, we ensure that our future leaders are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the justice system and make a meaningful impact in the world.

Why Are You Passionate About Higher Education?