John N. Gardner

Many recent books have chronicled the shortcomings of colleges and universities and have predicted the demise of the current higher education system in America. "The Undergraduate Experience" by Peter Felten and his four co-authors is not one of those books. Instead, the authors focus on what is going well at American colleges and universities. They provide numerous examples of effective educational practices and hold up those examples as ones to be emulated. The authors identify six categories that matter to providing an effective college education. Administration, faculty, staff, and students are to focus on learning, relationships, expectations, alignment, improvement, and leadership. Specific action principles are outlined for each of the six categories and explanations and examples provided for each action. This is a hopeful book. The authors are not interested in criticizing higher education but in making it better. For those interested in doing the same, this book will provide inspiration and guidance.… (mere)