NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University President Dr. Chris Maggio completed the Institute for Educational Management (IEM) program offered through Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education last month. The program is designed for senior leaders in higher education to address pressing challenges that include setting strategic direction and getting buy-in from key stakeholders, competing successfully in a dynamic marketplace, optimizing the impact of financial and human resources, embracing the right emerging technologies, leveraging diversity and creating an inclusive community on campus, and responding to questions about the relevance and effectiveness of higher education.
Participants worked alongside Harvard faculty and accomplished peers to explore strategies for long-term institutional success during the nine-day executive education program.
“It was an honor to be accepted and to participate in this highly esteemed executive education program at Harvard University,” Maggio said. “Of course, the program was rigorous and the preparation work demanding but I truly feel I was able to grow as a leader through participation in the program.”
Maggio said participants were presented with case studies taught by Harvard University professors.
“The assignments placed us in the role of decision-makers where we formulated strategies, policy recommendations and had to problem solve in most cases a real situation,” he explained. “We then reviewed the case and were able to discuss as a group, defend our analyses, review implications of alternate solutions. I certainly found that this active participation challenging and the discussions a way to test to development of alternate solutions.
“I was in class with educational leaders from throughout the nation and world,” he said, adding that the program allows for continual engagement with new professional colleagues and Harvard faculty through online learning opportunities and personal contact.
Maggio was named NSU’s 19th president in May 2017 after serving as acting president January-May 2017. His appointment followed a long career in leadership and administrative roles at the university that included serving as Vice President of the Student Experience and as interim vice president in which he led the Dean of Students and the Offices of Admissions, Recruiting, Financial Aid, Student Activities and Organizations, First Year Experience and Leadership Development, Judicial Services, Counseling and Career Services, Student Life, the Student Activities Board, Student Government Association and Greek Life.
Northwestern State has recorded enrollment increases for the past four years. NSU’s Fall 2018 enrollment reached 11,081, the largest in the university’s history.
