Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 13h

For my friends attending ASHE, I hope you'll consider attending or sharing with a friend this workshop on publishing a book with an academic press. We're hoping to demystify some things and offer advice based on our experiences with three different presses.

The Hidden Curriculum of Publishing an Academic Book

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 16h

Yeah, it's interesting because mixed in with the neutrality are some legit good leadership practices. There is real value in someone who had a clear course and sticks to it predictably. But there are moments where you want more and you know it ain't happening.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 16h

"What frustrates some Mizzou student activists isn’t that they feel that Choi is opposed to what they stand for, but that they aren’t sure he stands for anything at all. He strikes them as a chameleon, ready to adapt to whatever position is politically convenient to him at the time."

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 16h

It's kind of the embodiment of institutional neutrality.

Neutral people. They have no position except institutional advancement.

Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 16h

I have a not-so-creative theory that this is a defining feature of what many see as "good leadership" in higher ed right now:

"Mizzou is faring very well so far during the second Trump administration... That’s because Choi is good at staying out of trouble."

www.chronicle.com/article/mun-...

Mizzou’s President Has Succeeded by Staying Out of Trouble

The University of Missouri leader turned around its reputation, bolstered state funding and enrollment, and restored the faculty trust. But his tight-lipped management style has its critics.

www.chronicle.com

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 16h

(There's a whole other interesting analysis about HE leadership, race, and immigrants.

Both Choi and my chancellor were born outside the US and lots of discussion about how they embody the "American Dream.")

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 16h

I wouldn't at all be surprised is this is what boards, donors, alumni, and even some students want.

A person who will smile at the events. Stop for photos. Always affable. Very friendly to people with money. Never doing anything even a bit controversial.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 16h

Our chancellor is well liked. Our institution is doing well and has (more or less) stayed out of the spotlight.

But our chancellor is also a bit of a brick wall. He's not going to take big swings. He's not going to make a fuss. He's definitely not going to pick a fight.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 16h

I have a not-so-creative theory that this is a defining feature of what many see as "good leadership" in higher ed right now:

"Mizzou is faring very well so far during the second Trump administration... That’s because Choi is good at staying out of trouble."

www.chronicle.com/article/mun-...

Mizzou’s President Has Succeeded by Staying Out of Trouble

The University of Missouri leader turned around its reputation, bolstered state funding and enrollment, and restored the faculty trust. But his tight-lipped management style has its critics.

www.chronicle.com

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 1d

So, despite getting to do a lot of cool things recently, and acknowledging that even having the option to do those things is a privilege, I am in that mid-October abyss and tired. I would like to escape to a lovely little remote cottage and let all the work just *poof*

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 1d

Because I dislike the idea of disconnect between my real life and online selves, I said yes to too many things and am overwhelmed. All good things, but too many all the same. I shall survive but am also annoyed at myself.

Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 1d

It is a distinct possibility that I have too many plates spinning. Gonna be some plate crashing around here.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 1d

It is a distinct possibility that I have too many plates spinning. Gonna be some plate crashing around here.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 1d

People here are understandably salty about the fact that they can only put 10% for service each semester so that it adds up to 100% because they know they're doing way more than that.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 1d

Not to mention the fact that the percentages we put in the workload reports are fuzzy at best because it must add up to 100% and each course must equal 10%.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 1d

If this is based on the UNC system's faculty workload report, the data aren't very reliable.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 2d

The pressure some of these athletes are under is so unhealthy. Whatever these places are spending on mental health support will probably never be enough. Arch will be fine because his safety net is huge, but I think about other athletes being churned through this system.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 2d

From @theathletic.com: Many people are having a bad year in college football, but Arch Manning is having one of the worst. The quarterback has gone from preseason Heisman Trophy favorite and projected No. 1 NFL Draft pick to a man synonymous with failure. nyti.ms/47dNoy3

Arch Manning in an orange and white Texas football jersey tosses a football. Text reads: Is Arch Manning College Football's First Flop?

Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 2d

Really proud of this. Not just because of the study it recognizes, but also because I've been doing public scholarship for a while now. It really matters to me, and it means a lot for even a slice of it to be celebrated.

ASHE Public Scholarship Award - "Competencies for the College Presidency." With the three authors' photos and a cover of the report.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 3d

Ha no. I should clarify. There's less discussion on the old people parts of the internet I frequent. What are they saying on TikTok?

Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 3d

How do I interpret how quiet the internet seems to be over Taylor's new album?

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 4d

Aw, this fella on Bake Off just said he met his girlfriend "first week of freshers in uni."

Gonna start using "freshers" and "uni" more.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 4d

Collapse of the Ravens truly something to behold

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 4d

I'm being told that in order to refute Chris Rufo's ideas, I need to keep reading cover stories of him.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 5d

I do not care for these Taco Bell ads playing throwback punk/emo songs I still listen to. Not one bit.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 5d

Well, Beilock has definitely given off those vibes, in my opinion.

The strategy of accommodating authoritarianism in the name of civil dialogue/debate will be a defining failure of higher ed leadership.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 5d

I’ve not been following closely. Maybe everyone is waiting for someone else to say no first. Maybe they’re worried that a refusal will bring more wrath. They should know there’s no winning here. Might as well actually lead with values.

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Kevin R. McClure @drkevinrmcclure.com · 5d

Seems pretty easy to state you’re not accepting the agreement if that’s where you stand. It doesn’t state that.

Matthew Kirschenbaum @mkirschenbaum.bsky.social · 5d

Unless I’m misreading, this short statement actually seems equivocal or at best a placeholder. It does not say they are refusing, and to the contrary seems to hold the door open.

Dear Dartmouth community.
As many of you know, Dartmouth was one of nine universities asked by the White House to give feedback by Oct. 20 on a draft of its "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education."
SHARE THIS f x»
I am deeply committed to Dartmouth's academic mission and values and will always defend our fierce independence.
You have often heard me say that higher education is not perfect and that we can do better. At the same time, we will never compromise our academic freedom and our ability to govern ourselves.
Best,
Sian Leah Beilock
President

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