“Wallerstein, a successful college president from whom others can learn a great deal, gives us hope that Baruch's successful strategies can be replicated on other campuses. This volume is a valuable case study on the role of leadership in addressing critical higher education issues—from financial and physical space challenges to the academic performance of first generation/immigrant college students. I highly recommend it.”
—Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president emeritus, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
“In this compelling case study of Baruch College of the City University of New York, president emeritus Mitchel Wallerstein provides invaluable perspective on the potential of public higher education. Owing in no small measure to his decade at the helm, Baruch has succeeded in developing an institutional culture characterized by academic excellence and economic stability—as he puts it, a “positive outlier” among peer institutions. His assessment of whether other public colleges and universities can replicate the enviable successes of Baruch should serve to inspire academic leaders of all institutional types as well as all those committed to the advancement of public higher education.”
—Michael M. Crow, president, Arizona State University
“Mitch Wallerstein has done an exceptional job capturing the remarkable success of Baruch College, a gem of The City University of New York. While it’s no surprise that Baruch is often cited as a leading engine of social and economic mobility because of both its high quality and affordability, it is, as Dr. Wallerstein notes, a surprise that its story is not more widely known. I hope this book and its lessons help remedy that oversight.”
—James B. Milliken, chancellor, The University of Texas System
"Today more than ever before, the United States needs high quality, affordable public higher education. Unfortunately, we live in a time when all public colleges face serious, unrelenting academic, financial, and political challenges. Yet despite the difficult environment, a few public institutions have gotten stronger academically, increased their financial stability, and become more desirable to students and families who are choosing a college. Mitchel Wallerstein’s crisp and thorough account of how Baruch College of The City University of New York (CUNY) has flourished while others have stumbled makes for gripping reading and provides a road map that other schools should consider."
—Terry W. Hartle, senior fellow, American Council on Education
“Public Higher Education That Works offers a deeply contextual and compelling success story demonstrating the true potential of a small group of committed educators and academic leaders to create a more inclusive and transformative educational experience. Wallerstein’s thorough investigation of Baruch College’s growth, rigorously tapping history, exploring politics, and analyzing data on higher education enrollment and finance, is a primer for institutional leaders and an instructive case study for all sectors of higher education given our challenging future.”
—Jillian Kinzie, associate director, National Survey of Student Engagement, Center for Postsecondary Research, Indiana University Bloomington
“Wallerstein provides a compelling narrative that helps us envision the expansive possibilities of public higher education, even in the context of challenging times. Readers will gain a wealth of practical insights into how Baruch College leveraged a distinctive organizational identity and culture toward financial health and academic innovation.”
—Jay R. Dee, professor of higher education, University of Massachusetts Boston
