Inside Higher Ed, an online source for higher education news, recently interviewed Sacred Heart University President, Dr. Anthony J. Cernera about his new book, Lay Leadership in Catholic Higher Education.

To read the article, visit Inside Higher Ed

Lay Leaders Are Changing the Face of Catholic Higher Education Says New Book

LAY LEADERS IN CATHOLIC HIGHER EDUCATION

An Emerging Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century
Edited by Anthony J. Cernera, Ph.D.

Since the Second Vatican Council, lay women and men have assumed greater responsibility for guiding the mission of the Catholic Church in the modern world. This is particularly the case in Catholic higher education in the United States.

In the new book, Lay Leaders In Catholic Higher Education (Sacred Heart University Press, June 2005), the many challenges facing lay leaders are explored in essays based on presentations from a 2003 conference sponsored by Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. More than 180 senior level educators, administrators, university trustees and leaders of religious communities, attended this unique conference. These participants included 26 Catholic college presidents.

The volume begins with a report on a detailed study of the background of lay leaders. This study, “Leadership and the Age of the Laity: Emerging Patterns in Catholic Higher Education” by Melanie M. Morey and Dennis H. Holtschneider, is based on a survey of 222 Catholic college and university presidents, of whom 116 are lay. Among its many findings, the report shows that women are slowly disappearing from the presidency in Catholic colleges and universities, and that there is a lack of formal theological and spiritual preparation among presidents.

Other essays that follow address such topics as spirituality and lay leadership, the relationship between a school and its sponsors, cultivating Catholic identity on campus, and defining and implementing the mission of a school. Although of particular interest to Catholic educators, the book's examination of broad topics such as academic and administrative leadership will be useful to those working to shape the colleges and universities of the twenty-first century.

Dr. Anthony J. Cernera, president of Sacred Heart University and editor of the book, said, "The number of lay leaders is growing and is likely to continue to grow. In recent times, as Catholic colleges and universities have been developing and growing, there has also been a continuing decline in the numbers of religious men and women. This shift in demographics has prompted a number of Catholic religious congregations and colleges to be involved in restructuring processes that intend to charge the laity with significant leadership responsibilities.”

Dr. Cernera continued, “This challenge is so new that even the scope and significance of the challenge is still being debated. One thing is clear, however: all of our decisions and planning must take into account the growing role of lay leaders and the profound changes their leadership will bring to bear on our traditional ways of doing things. Catholic colleges and universities will need to develop programs for students, employees, faculty, parents, and trustees that promote theological education, spiritual development, ethical reflection, leadership development, and mission effectiveness.”

About the Editor
Anthony J. Cernera, Ph.D. is the president of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. An internationally recognized leader in higher education, Dr. Cernera is the vice president of the International Federation of Catholic Universities, and he chaired the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges for three years. Dr. Cernera has edited four other books: Examining the Catholic Intellectual Tradition; Toward Greater Understanding; Vatican II: The Continuing Agenda; and Continuity and Plurality in Catholic Theology.

About the Book
Lay Leaders in Catholic Higher Education: An Emerging Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century Edited by Anthony J. Cernera, Ph.D.

Contributors include Joan E. Bailey; Raymond A. Bucko, SJ; Anthony J. Cernera; Lawrence S. Cunningham; Charles L. Currie, SJ; John J. DeGioia; Marilou Eldred; Zeni Fox; Sally M. Furay, RSCJ; Alice B. Hayes; Diana L. Hayes; Monika K. Hellwig; Dennis H. Holtschneider, CM; Karen M. Kennelly, CSJ; Kevin E. Mackin, OFM; Sheila Megley, RSM;
Melanie M. Morey; William J. Sneck, SJ; and John E. Theil.

168 pages; Indexed.
Published by Sacred Heart University Press; $24.95 Library of Congress Control Number: 2004116762 ISBN: 1-888112-10-7 (hardcover)

Contact: Funda Alp (alpf@sacredheart.edu)

Url: http://www.insidehighered.com/careers/2005/06/20/catholic

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