In this question and answer session, we asked President-Elect Davis-Blake about joining Bentley, her initial impressions of the university, and her background as the leader of large public business schools.
What excites you about becoming president of Bentley?
Dr. Davis-Blake: Bentley is right at the center of what students and parents increasingly demand today--education that is rigorous and relevant, education that is broad and deep, education not just for a job but for a career.
Bentley is right at the center of what students and parents increasingly demand today.
President-Elect Alison Davis-Blake
Bentley's fusion approach to the curriculum answers a long-standing and increasingly important issue in the labor market. CEOs are increasingly calling for college grads who are broadly trained in arts and sciences. Yet, at the same time, recruiters necessarily require specific skills for first jobs. The solution to this is integrating arts and sciences education with business education in a deep and meaningful way, which can be difficult because that has not been the typical practice at most universities. Bentley values that deep integration and has many years of experience implementing it.
Finally, the university’s commitment to sustainability, to professional ethics, and to the students’ career success after graduation impresses me deeply.
What has impressed you most about Bentley as you’ve gotten to know it better?
Dr. Davis-Blake: Three things come quickly to mind:
--The commitment of everyone I've met to Bentley and its mission. The high level of engagement of faculty and staff with the university and what it seeks to accomplish are truly remarkable.
--Bentley's strong commitment to fusion learning. Some of the things that have been introduced at Bentley are, I believe, at the forefront of where business education is going.
--Bentley's beautiful campus that is also so close to one of America's great cities. I love the fact that the library is at the center of the campus, which demonstrates a deep commitment to learning.
You have an impressive background at large public business schools. How will that help you as Bentley’s president?
Dr. Davis-Blake: This one’s easy: Opportunity creation. Public higher education has been the single most successful large-scale social experiment in allowing people to move beyond limited circumstances into opportunities and possibilities that are broad and expansive. Being part of that kind of social change, one person at a time, has been very important to me. And it is even more important to society at this time of growing economic inequality. But, of course, our large public universities are not the only institutions that greatly expand the opportunities people have. Bentley has long had a commitment to this same kind of opportunity creation, and I believe that understanding the many ways in which that can be done now and may be done in the future will be an important asset that I bring to the presidency.
Also, large public universities have embedded within them a large number of different disciplines. As a business school dean, I've consistently worked across campus to find ways for business and other disciplines to cooperate on educating students, on supporting faculty research, and on public service. I believe that these many experiences will serve me well as we work together at Bentley to deepen our commitment to fusion.
Why do you think a business education is special?
Dr. Davis-Blake: Business education has, from its inception, spanned boundaries including the boundaries between education, scholarship and practice. It is inherently multidisciplinary. In addition, it is truly an education not just “for now” but for life. Business schools have long developed meaningful educational opportunities and lifelong learning to span a graduate’s entire career. Now, as education becomes increasingly “unbundled” and “just in time,” business schools are well positioned to respond to those needs in a meaningful way.
Read the Story Announcing Alison Davis-Blake's Selection as Bentley's Eighth President
Read Another Q and A with President-Elect Davis-Blake on Her Path to Academia