Worcester Business Journal

26 2022 Economic Forecast • Worcester Business Journal • www.wbjournal.com H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N Vincent Rougeau President College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester Rougeau is blazing several trails at Holy Cross -- he is both the first Black president and the first layperson to lead the college. Although not a clergyman himself, Rogeau has written extensively on law and Catholicism, and kicked off his presidency with a lecture on U.S. politics and Catholic thought. He previously served as director of the Boston College Forum on Racial Justice in America. His merging of Holy Cross's traditional Jesuit values with contemporary questions of race and politics makes for a unique perspective amid higher education's rapidly evolving landscape. Given Holy Cross's controversies surrounding its Crusaders mascot and early indirect ties to slavery, as well as a regional push for racial equity in higher education, Rougeau is likely to emerge as a leader among Central Massachusetts institutions in 2022. Paul Cotnoir Dean of the Becker School of Design & Technology Clark University, in Worcester Steeped in Worcester college life since he earned an engineering degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Cotnoir could tell you a lot about what's in store for higher education. Cotnoir joined Clark to oversee the university's brand new game design and technology program, inherited when Becker College closed. Starting in 2002 and through its closure this spring, Cotnoir held several leadership roles at Becker, where he developed and launched new degree programs. His fluency in Worcester's institutions, as well as his long-term experience at Becker, promises insight into what will and will not work to keep colleges strong. Kathy Rentsch Associate vice president for strategic academic & workforce initiatives Quinsigamond Community College, in Worcester With 23 years in leadership roles at QCC, it's safe to say Rentsch is knowledgeable about public higher education and workforce preparedness. Rentsch develops initiatives to get students on career pathways. She was promoted to her role in early 2020, right before QCC, like so many community colleges, took a massive hit to its enrollment numbers. QCC saw a strong fall enrollment in 2021, however, and has launched a barrage of vocationally oriented programs in bioscience, business, and health care. Rentsch's expertise will be extremely valuable in the coming year as colleges scramble to address the nation's talent and labor shortage. People in higher educa- tion to meet in 2022 e great divide Higher education was separated into the haves and have-nots during the pandemic, and each side faces challenges in 2022 A s the smoke from the coronavirus pandemic clears, a divide is materializing within Central Massachusetts higher education. e year has been one of recovery and resilience for schools like Clark University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, who are pushing forward ambitious investment plans. Meanwhile, Becker College's closure in the spring served as a stark reminder of the fate many smaller institutions may be facing. Dropout and enrollment questions Most of higher education had a slight comeback in enrollment this year, or at least plateaued in the case of state schools, but the full damage from the pandemic might still be forthcoming. Educational professionals at all levels are reporting high failure rates and behavioral problems in the classroom. For students, a year of remote learning was a year of education essentially missed. Both college students and high schoolers considering college may be reeling from academic regression, burnout, and economic challenges, the latter of which is the most common reason college students drop out. Higher education may be newly challenged to entice and keep students in 2022. It's possible the burnout seen in the country's workforce will be mirrored in younger populations, prompting students to seek alternatives to higher education. BY KATHERINE HAMILTON WBJ Staff Writer Investments in vocational learning A nationwide talent and labor shortage has touched nearly every industry, as Americans are reevaluating their career priorities and wages are rising for jobs that don't require a college degree. Already, schools are moving to meet this unique moment, with Quin- sigamond Community College in Worcester offering free career training for workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic, Fitchburg State University pro- viding a new teacher residency program, and Anna Maria College launching a social work and counseling program to get more mental healthcare providers in the workforce. is workforce-oriented education style is one many schools, particularly public higher ed institutions, may be gravitating toward. Greater diversity investments Aer many earnest statements from colleges in the wake of George Floyd's police murder in 2020, the past year has provided the chance for administrators to walk the walk. e last five individuals appointed to Clark's leadership team were all non-white, making nearly 60% of the school's administration women and/or people of color. Meanwhile, the College of the Holy Cross inaugurated its first Black president. e coming year will be a time for colleges to make finan- cial investments in diversity initiatives. All eyes are on Worcester's private institutions making big money moves, as WPI just launched its largest-ever fund- raising campaign and Clark acquired a seven-acre vacant lot across from its campus. e results of such investments will be indicative of colleges' dedication to diversity and equity. W W PHOTO/GRANT WELKER Clark University, in Worcester

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