Picotte Presidential Lecture Examines Role of Higher Education, Opens with Sue Cunningham of Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

At a time when colleges and universities are under the microscope as never before, The College of Saint Rose proudly introduces a new event to create crucial dialogue about the future of higher education. Sue Cunningham, president and CEO of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), launches The Michael and Margaret Picotte Presidential Lecture in Higher Education Innovation and Leadership with a talk titled, “Toward a More Meaningful Dialogue about the Value of Higher Education.” The lecture will be held on April 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Touhey Forum of the Thelma P. Lally School of Education, 1009 Madison Avenue, Albany.

Recent events in education – admissions scandals, rising tuition, and enrollment challenges – have catalyzed conversations about wealth, entitlement, and the promise of higher education for underserved students. Cunningham will explore the relationship between institutions and communities and how colleges and universities can transform lives and society.

The new lectureship was established with an endowed gift by Michael and Margaret Picotte to further the reputation of Saint Rose as a national model of innovation in higher education, and in recognition of President Carolyn J. Stefanco’s leadership in higher education. The annual speaker series will bring education leaders, business experts, and researchers and practitioners to Saint Rose to share innovations and best practices.

“This series provides a vital forum to discuss not only the challenges facing our profession, but the immense opportunities we have to effect positive change in society,” Stefanco said. “As an institution that has always cared deeply about access, equity, and opportunity, we are in a position to provide insights, solutions, and a platform for dialogue about how education serves as a powerful agent for the greater good.”

Since 2015, Sue Cunningham has provided strategic and operational leadership for CASE, which “supports over 3,600 schools, colleges, and universities worldwide in developing their alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing operations in order to advance their institutions.” CASE is one of the largest associations of education-related institutions in the world with members in more than 80 countries.

Cunningham is on the steering committee of the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, the Council of Higher Education Management Associations, the International Women’s Foundation, and the fundraising committee of the Aurora Foundation. Previous experience includes: vice principal for advancement at the University of Melbourne, director of development for the University of Oxford, director of development at Christ Church at Oxford, and director of external relations at St. Andrews University.

Event details:
What: Inaugural Michael and Margaret Picotte Presidential Lecture on Higher Education Innovation and Leadership
Who: Sue Cunningham, president and CEO, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
Where: Touhey Forum, Thelma P. Lally School of Education, 1009 Madison Avenue, Albany
When: April 17 at 5:30 p.m.
Ticket information: The event is free and open to the public. Register at Eventbrite.