BBJ: UMd., Coppin State presidents retool goals amid industry upheaval

By Morgan Eichensehr
October 7, 2020

The new presidents of University of Maryland, College Park and Coppin State University are tailoring their goals to meet the new and increasing demands of the higher education industry, which has experienced a rapid evolution in 2020.

Darryll Pines, president of UMD, said the “dual pandemics” of Covid-19 and racial inequity-fueled social unrest have forced higher education institutions to innovate more quickly and extensively than ever before. These recent events have exacerbated existing industry stressors, Pines said, like a declining pool of college-ready students coming out of high schools in the U.S., the risk of low-income families losing access to expensive degree programs and increased competition from organizations that offer industry credentialing programs in lieu of a four-year college education.

In order to meet the growing challenges, Pines said colleges like his must “reimagine” their programming and build more partnerships focused around social justice and workforce development.

Pines spoke to a group of local business leaders during a web event hosted by the Greater Baltimore Committee Oct. 7, joined by President Anthony Jenkins from Baltimore’s Coppin State. Both leaders assumed their presidential posts just prior to the start of this academic year, during an unprecedented shift in the higher education business model caused by Covid-19. As they settle into their new roles, the pair shared their thoughts on the societal and workforce needs that will likely shape their institutions over the coming years.

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Source: Baltimore Business Journal

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