The new university president, Jared Tice Ed.D., sat down with the Chimes last week for an interview discussing his entry into the university’s community and his vision for its future.
President Tice grew up in St Marys, W. Va., and studied political science and business at Concord University with the intention of attending law school; however, his experiences in student leadership sparked his interest in a career in higher education.
President Tice said he “was involved in fraternity and sorority life, orientation, leaders, student government, and what [he] found was [he] really enjoyed working with college students and decided that that would be [his] career arc.”
His career has since progressed through various roles in student affairs, culminating in his previous position as senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. After seven years in that role, Tice sought an opportunity to lead an institution back in his home region.
President Tice said he was drawn to the university because “throughout the interview process that took place in the spring and into the early summer, [he] was very attracted to the warm, inviting culture of the people, from the board leadership to the administration, the faculty, staff and students.”
Tice began his tenure as the 18th president of the university amidst the largest first-year class of students in years.
“I have a little bit of experience in enrollment, from background and experience, and so partnering with our enrollment team in the future,” Tice said about plans to continue that trend. “There will be more things going on in order to enhance enrollment here at the institution, not just at the undergraduate level, but at graduate and at our professional schools, like our law school and seminary, and I’m really excited about that.”
A duty for Tice this year is to balance an increase in enrollment with the maintenance of high academic standards. “ … [M]y job as president, working with the leadership is to make sure that we are growing enrollment for mission fit students, and that we’re never diminishing our academic rigor or quality of our experience inside or outside the classroom. And that comes with reinvesting back into our faculty, our staff, adding them when necessary, and investing in our facilities as well.”
Recently, institutions of higher education have been the focus of increased criticism and scrutiny from both the public and elected officials.
“We believe in academic freedom and free speech, both as a country and … as part of the university experience,” Tice said. “… [A]ny infringement on that, [and] the university would have a strong position. And I do believe with 150 other colleges and universities within Ohio, including our independent universities and colleges, there would be pushback on that as well.”
Tice shared his thoughts on the value of a college degree. “Someone who gets a four year bachelor’s degree versus someone who only has a high school degree still earns [approximately] $1.2 million more in their lifetime earnings than someone with a high school degree.”
One of the flash points in the current debate about higher education is the role of liberal arts institutions, such as the university.
“I think that’s the whole point of a liberal a liberal arts education, which essentially means the freedom of choice within the classes that we offer.”
President Tice also spoke on the value of the liberal arts approach in the professional world. “When you ask corporate leaders what type of employees they are looking for, they’re saying we want people that can think critically, problem solve and be able to communicate effectively, both in written and oral communication. That’s the interdisciplinary approach to the liberal arts education.”
Tice continued, “And I often say, your major that you graduate with will get you your first job and get you into your graduate school of choice. Your liberal arts education, those signature learning experiences, that interdisciplinary approach, will get you every job after that because it will teach you to think critically, be a leader.”
Looking ahead five years, President Tice envisions the university as a “thriving university” with optimized enrollment and a strong reputation.
Despite recent challenges, Tice expressed optimism: “The future is bright at Capital, as bright as our comet, athletic nickname, and we will need to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Tice ended by vowing to, “care deeply for this place,” as it requires “deep care.”
“It’s nearly 200 years old,” Tice said. “[A]s a steward of this place, my job is to set it up, so it’s successful for another 200 years.”
