May 2021 Faculty Spotlight

We welcome new professor Scott Evenbeck to the School with a faculty spotlight on his teaching and involvement in the Higher Education Administration program, CUNY’s role in the future of New York City, and more.

Welcome to the Marxe School! You joined us this semester as a professor in our Higher Education Administration program. Can you tell us what you believe the most critical aspects of Marxe’s HEA program are and the role you will play?
I am honored to join the HEA program in the Marxe School.  During my years at CUNY, I have worked with many students and alumni in the HEA program.  They have been uniformly enthusiastic about what they have learned in the program.  Likewise, I have been acquainted with faculty who teach in the program.  Their commitment to Baruch and to student learning and success for me exemplifies CUNY’s ethos of access to excellence.  Many of the students are CUNY staff, and I believe it essential for Marxe to provide high quality education to staff serving our students at CUNY.  I have always encouraged staff members to continue their educational trajectories, both for their own learning and for the role modeling for students.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the HEA program to strengthen the program.

You were Founding President at Guttman Community College for ten years; what was your strategy for positioning Guttman, and CUNY itself in the space of higher education? How will you do the same for Baruch College and the Marxe School from a professor-level position?
Guttman drew upon research and best practices in serving students in the concept paper which was the founding document for the college.  Faculty and staff ensure that students are engaged, providing many high impact practices which enhance student learning and success.  We learned that centering on diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical, striving to be an anti-racist campus.  I very much appreciate the commitment and careful attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion at Baruch.  The students in the HEA program are often leaders in their roles on campuses, and their work in the program must strengthen their commitment and capacity for leadership with diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What do you see the role of CUNY, Baruch College, and other CUNY institutions’ roles in New York City’s future?
CUNY is the most important institution in the City, serving the students who will continue to build New York City.  Their roles as students are important now, but their leadership will accelerate as we move out of the pandemic and work together to build the New York we and our students aspire as our home.  Building on the diversity of our City, University, and campus, Baruch will continue to play key roles with teaching and learning, research and scholarly activity, and service to NYC and around the globe as we move beyond this past year and into a future worthy of our students.