Eight institutions from across the region, including Bridgewater State University, came together recently under the umbrella of the Southeastern Association for Cooperation in Higher Education in Massachusetts (SACHEM).
The provosts from Cape Cod Community College, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Stonehill College, Wheaton College, Massasoit Community College, Bristol Community College and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy visited campus at the behest of Dr. Karim Ismaili, acting provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at BSU.
“This is a real, tangible step toward cooperation in the region among academic leaders,” Dr. Ismaili said. “In the discussions, it was clear the opportunities and challenges are similar at all the institutions.”
The initial gathering started as a conversation between Dr. Ismaili and the provost at Wheaton, Dr. Renée T. White. The invitation to attend the regional meeting at BSU quickly followed.
The agenda included enrollment issues, ways to ensure the highest quality education in times of fiscal constraint, the creation of an optimal teaching and learning environment, and ways to help students succeed as they pursue their dreams and become contributing members of society.
The initial meeting also focused on ways to communicate the economic impact of member institutions on the region, ideas for collaboration and the proposed development of a leadership academy.
The group is expected to meet again during the academic year at Stonehill.
SACHEM provides extended educational opportunities through cooperative programs and projects in a variety of educational and cultural endeavors. (Story by John Winters, G ’11, University News & Media)