John Childers
President & CEO
Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area
A most interesting consortium of schools. Each one a jewel with no need to be fitted into a necklace. Am adroit consortium president discusses his members and his craft.
Your member schools are each very much one-of-a-kind. Together they've produced what benefit for themselves and their students?
Each of our 14 universities can focus on what it does best. Each one doesn't have to be the best at everything. A student at any of the member schools can take courses and use certain facilities of any other. This is a contributing factor to Washington, DC being considered a top U.S. college town. The Wall Street Journal ranks Washington as the number one college magnet city in the U.S. Young people are coming to Washington to make a difference.
What's noteworthy about college admissions trends in Washington, DC this year?
There's been no downturn in applications or enrollments. In fact, our DC universities are filled to the brim and would likely have even more students. But zoning regulations are preventing their enrollment expansion within the District. In some cases, DC zoning requirements limit the number of campus employees as well.
What has recently impressed you about Gallaudet University?
Trading on its strength as the nation's university for the deaf and hard of hearing, Gallaudet is serving returning veterans who have hearing problems caused by serving in the Iraq and Afghan wars. They and all other Gallaudet students and faculty benefit from architecture designed for the deaf. One example is the Sorenson Center. All corners in the building are rounded, rather than angular, producing improved sightlines and making mobility easier for those who cannot hear what's coming.
Explain the workings and benefits of the ROTC arrangement among your universities.
Everyone benefits. Howard and University of Maryland offer Air Force ROTC. Georgetown offers Army ROTC, and George Washington offers Navy ROTC. Because of the availability of cross-registration, all students who want ROTC can take it, but not every member university has to offer it. Meanwhile, the efficiency of the manpower-short military services is enhanced.
What other cross-registration opportunities are students eager to take advantage of?
With permission of the sending university and space available at the receiving university, any student can select among a wide variety of courses available at any consortium university. For example, I expect Corcoran College of Art + Design's art courses to be quite popular. Georgetown's Arabic and middle east studies are popular as well. Gallaudet is the place to go to learn American Sign Language.
What has recently impressed you about George Washington University?
The new president, Steven Knapp, is energetic, and he has three new priorities. He wants the university to be viewed as a good and helpful neighbor within DC's Foggy Bottom community. He wants to enhance the university's status as a top-tier research university. Interestingly, to do so he will be continuing to expand the university's operations in Loudoun, Virginia. He also signed the Presidential Climate Commitment and wants to make GW one of the nation's leading 'green' campuses, intensifying the school's focus on sustainability.
Is your consortium looking for any new members?
We're always open to new members. Our bylaws call for non-profit, regionally accredited schools that offer baccalaureate or graduate degrees and are home-based in Washington, DC or its nearby surroundings. We've received inquiries from schools that don't quite fit that bill, and our members have created a task force to study a possible change in the bylaws.
Why do you enjoy your job?
Within higher education, there's still an ethos that nothing should ever be done for the first time. However, in our consortium many members are quite willing to do things for the first time, and that is exciting. I enjoy what I consider to be one of the most interesting jobs in U.S. higher education.