Biography

Professor William Schonberg has over 25 years teaching and research experience in the areas of shock physics, spacecraft protection, hypervelocity impact, and penetration mechanics. The results of Dr. Schonberg’s research have been applied to a wide variety of engineering problems, including the development of orbital debris protection systems for spacecraft in low earth orbit, collapse of buildings under explosive loads, and aging aircraft. His research is unique in that it considers a number of significant parameters typically omitted in the analysis and design of damage-resistant spacecraft, and as such, has results in numerous spacecraft design improvements. Dr. Schonberg's international reputation has been earned primarily through the publication of refereed journal articles – to date he has published over 65 papers in refereed journals on these topics, and has presented over 60 papers at a broad spectrum of international scientific and professional meetings, including several invited papers. Dr. Schonberg has also received over 35 contracts and grants from a variety of federal, state, local, and private funding agencies. In recognition of his technical expertise and standing, Dr. Schonberg has been invited to serve on numerous national technical committees charged with reviewing key issues related to the United States’ space exploration programs, including several NAE/NRC committees. In 2007, Dr. Schonberg received a Fraunhofer Bessel Research Award from the Humboldt Foundation in Germany. This award enabled him to spend 7 months at the Fraunhofer Ernst Mach Institute in Freiburg, Germany working on advanced protection systems for satellites and developing preliminary designs for safe lunar habitats using in-situ materials for protection against meteoroid impacts. As a university leader, Dr. Schonberg has been department chair for almost 20 years at two different universities and served one year as Interim Dean, guiding the various engineering departments in the School of Engineering as the campus reorganized into a Dean-less administrative structure. In 2007, Dr. Schonberg was honored to receive the Manuel T. Pacheco Award from the President's Academic Leadership Institute (PALI). This award honors an academic administrator who exemplifies outstanding academic leadership at one of the four institutions within the University of Missouri System.

Article Title

Emerging Tertiary Education Opportunities and Challenges in the Caribbean and Around the World

Abstract

The roles of modern tertiary educational institutions can be quite varied. These variations are due, in part, to factors such as the identified role of the institution, student and local and/or regional population demographics, financial support received, and programs offered, to name a few. Nearly all of these factors are in a state of flux, which contributes to the angst felt by many an institution’s student, faculty, and administrators as they work together to define or redefine their roles and places in an ever-changing, increasingly global environment.

Changes in program content, institutional mission, and availability or investment in non-traditional, technology-based delivery systems allow universities to grow and take on new and ever-more demanding challenges in educating their students. Changes in student demographics can also have a significant effect on an institution’s mission as well as its financial stability. While universities undoubtedly strive to achieve a reputation for providing an excellent education as well as for being centers of relevant scholarly activities and research, the advent of many new online universities and degree programs poses new and ever more difficult challenges to the established (or emerging) positions of traditional universities.

This paper presents some thoughts regarding challenges, as well as opportunities, that all universities face, but perhaps especially those working to grow or expand their missions. Some of the challenges discussed include educational program delivery methods, educational program costs, and faculty retention. A number of opportunities being presented to universities by our ever-changing educational paradigm are also discussed, including enhancing the student education experience, developing and managing an appropriate education program portfolio, nurturing external partnerships, and hiring the right faculty as well as the right mix of faculty.

Our universities are certainly operating under challenging conditions. However, we are fortunate to have some of the smartest and most creative individuals working for us. Faculty are highly resourceful problem solvers who when working together can not only meet the challenges we currently face, but can also develop new opportunities to meet those not yet encountered!