The current landscape of higher education is heavily influenced by consumerist attitudes, compelling a re-evaluation of how we perceive the role of students.
Christine M. Nowik proposes an insightful shift in perspective, urging us to view students as citizens rather than mere customers.
This reimagining opens up exciting possibilities for the future of academia.
Moving Away from the Client Paradigm
While the client framework is an improvement over treating students as customers—emphasizing professionalism rather than mere transaction—it still commodifies education.
This model casts academic staff as service providers, imparting knowledge to students who are seen as passive consumers.
Such a perspective undermines the active participation that is essential to meaningful learning.
When we limit education to a series of client transactions, we stray from its fundamental purpose: equipping students for active civic engagement.
Dewey profoundly asserted that education should prepare individuals for democratic participation.
Shifting our focus to view students as citizens enriches the dialogue surrounding education, fostering a culture centered on collective effort, responsibility, and community involvement rather than self-interest.
Implementing the Citizenship Model
To bring this citizenship framework to life, institutions need to convey a clear vision of academic citizenship, allowing students to recognize their role within the learning environment.
Incoming students should be encouraged to view themselves as stewards of their educational experiences, fostering a mindset geared toward inquiry and civic responsibility.
Faculty members, too, must adjust to this new understanding.
Rather than maintaining traditional authoritative roles, they should become facilitators and mentors in a collaborative learning space.
While upholding high academic standards remains vital, creating an environment that invites active student participation in knowledge creation is equally crucial.
Envisioning a Revitalized Model of Higher Education
While Murray’s critique of the customer model is crucial, stepping beyond even the client framework is necessary to fully honor the educational experience’s transformative potential.
Recognizing students as citizens captures the dynamic, participatory aspects of education and aligns with the broader democratic mission that higher education strives to fulfill.
Restoring this vision paves the way for a future where colleges nurture an environment where students view their education as a collaborative journey.
This perspective not only prepares them for professional success but also equips them for meaningful engagement within their communities.
By embracing this renewed framework, we can collectively reflect on our roles and responsibilities in both academic and civic realms, ensuring that we continue to move towards inclusion and equality in the evolving landscape of higher education.
Christine M. Nowik chairs the English department at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College.
Her recent publications include a co-edited volume exploring alternative assessment methods in higher education and a chapter addressing the evolution of grading during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Insidehighered