Press Release

CONTACT: Debra Humphreys
(202) 387-3760 (ext. 422)
E-mail: humphreys@aacu.org

Michael S. Bassis Joins the Association of American Colleges and Universities as Senior Development Advisor

Washington, DC—November 9, 2001—The Association of American Colleges and Universities announces the appointment of Michael S. Bassis as Senior Development Advisor. Dr. Bassis comes to AAC&U from New College of Florida where he served as Dean and Warden from 1998 to 2001. Bassis will work with senior staff at AAC&U on strategic planning and will help shape the organization's future work in the area of leadership for education and institutional effectiveness.

Prior to assuming his position at New College, Bassis was president of Olivet College from 1993 to 1998 where he led a successful effort at institutional transformation and revitalization. The centerpiece of that effort is the Olivet Plan-a comprehensive and innovative set of curricular designs and institutional supports for learning that includes a first-year experience focused on individual and social responsibility, a portfolio program that incorporates a student-centered self-assessment, service learning requirements, learning communities, and a summative senior experience for all students.

One of Dr. Bassis' first responsibilities at AAC&U will include collaborating with AAC&U's newest vice president, Alma Clayton-Pedersen in charting a course for AAC&U's work in the next five years on collaborative campus leadership for learning-centered innovation. He will also serve on a committee drawn from representatives of AAC&U member campuses to advise the Office of Education and Institutional Renewal on an ongoing basis. "Bassis brings an important campus-based perspective to AAC&U's planning and implementation efforts that is essential to help ensure that we are responsive to the faculty and leadership development needs of our members," remarked Clayton-Pedersen.

"AAC&U is especially pleased to have Michael Bassis on staff. His wealth of experience leading campus-based institutional change efforts at two AAC&U member institutions will be invaluable as we plan AAC&U's future work in this area. Changing the institutional structures and practices that support learning at all kinds of colleges and universities will be essential if we are to enable all students to reap the benefits of the many educational innovations spreading throughout the academy," said Carol Geary Schneider, president, AAC&U.

Bassis received his B.A. degree from Brown University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Prior to assuming the presidency of Olivet College, he served as Executive Vice President and Provost at Antioch University in Ohio. He has published widely in the field of sociology and serves on the Board of Directors of Defiance College and the National Society of Experiential Education.

AAC&U is the leading national association devoted to advancing and strengthening liberal learning for all students, regardless of academic specialization or intended career. Since its founding in 1915, AAC&U's membership has grown to more than 730 accredited public and private colleges and universities of every type and size.

AAC&U functions as a catalyst and facilitator, forging links among presidents, administrators, and faculty members who are engaged in institutional and curricular planning. Its mission is to reinforce the collective commitment to liberal education at both the national and local levels and to help individual institutions keep the quality of student learning at the core of their work as they evolve to meet new economic and social challenges.

For additional information about AAC&U programs and publications, visit www.aacu.org.