When: June 8, 2023, 1:45 pm - Thursday

Where: Malamat

Session 4

Session Abstract

In this session, Janice Hauge explains the need and offers a strategy for increasing the representation of economic courses into university core curricula. Ebenezer Danso assesses the extent and implications of collaboration among the internal stakeholders of higher education post COVID-19.  Joshua Canada and Christopher Collins present results of a case study on the roles governing boards play in answering the question “What does it mean to be a Christian institution?”  James Woodrow addresses another perennial question facing Christian institutions of higher education, “What will be our future?” The future will depend on remaining true to mission and culture.

 

Paper Abstracts

Janice Hauge, University of North Texas, “Breaking into the Core Curriculum”

Using descriptions of courses offered among Texas universities, we identify areas in which traditional economics courses can be appropriate substitutes for current secular worldview core curriculum course options as mandated by the Texas General Education Core Curriculum. The field of economics coincides with a Christian worldview, which informs Christians’ understanding of the value of labor, the meaning of work, and the appropriateness of servitude. We assert that our suggested options are critical to enabling Christian students to develop their skills and knowledge in a manner that supports their beliefs and their growth toward informed and intelligent members of society.

 

Ebenezer Obuobi Danso, Heritage Christian College, Ghana, “Internal Stakeholder Collaboration: Exploring Resilience in Higher Education during Emergencies”

Despite the havoc that COVID-19 wreaked on higher educational institutions in Ghana, it did force greater partnership among internal stakeholders who would not have otherwise collaborated. This paper assesses the level of collaboration among the internal stakeholders of higher education post-COVID-19, the case of Heritage Christian College – Ghana. Ironically, the numerous publications on the positive gains that emerged out of the pandemic have paid little to no attention to the dynamics of internal stakeholder collaboration. This study argues qualitatively that, an increased level of awareness of collaboration among internal stakeholders can greatly improve policy-decisions leading to resilience during emergencies.

 

Christopher S. Collins, Pepperdine University, and Joshua R. Canada, Whittier College, “Organizational Identity in Christian Higher Education: A Case Study of Board Influence”

Christian colleges and universities have continuously faced the question, “what does it mean to be a Christian institution?” The work of developing a shared sense of organizational identity is exacerbated in an era of ideological pluralism as institutions navigate a changing sociocultural climate that challenges presuppositions and definitions. This qualitative, multi-site case study explores two Christian institutions of higher education (one Catholic, one Protestant-Evangelical) and examines the influence of the board and senior leaders. The findings show an iterative process of organizational identity efforts that will likely be a new and perpetual state of redefinition.

 

James Woodrow, Vanguard University, “Mission and Culture: The Heart and Soul of Christian Higher Education”

When created, communicated, and supported effectively from the top-down, the mission and culture of a Christian college has the power to transform people’s values, motivations, and actions into a positive outcome.  To investigate the role of mission and culture in Christian higher education, a review of the literature and contemporary practices resulted in a variety of findings and recommendations relevant to the Christian college community.  This presentation is intended to solidify and strengthen the future of one of this nation’s most precious resources, the Christian college and university, by sharing the value of a strong mission and culture.

Speakers

Shannon M. Leinen, York University, Convener

• Janice Hauge, University of North Texas, “Breaking into the Core Curriculum”
• Ebenezer Obuobi Danso, Heritage Christian College, Ghana, “Internal Stakeholder Collaboration: Exploring Resilience in Higher Education during Emergencies”
• Christopher S. Collins and Joshua R. Canada, Pepperdine University; Whittier College, “Organizational Identity in Christian Higher Education: A Case Study of Board Influence”
• James Woodrow, Vanguard University, “Mission and Culture: The Heart and Soul of Christian Higher Education”