Author Profile

Richard DeMillo

Richard DeMillo is Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Management and director of the Center for 21st Century Universities at Georgia Tech. He has been on the faculties of Purdue University, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Padua, but he has divided his career among academia, industry and government. He directed the Computer Research Division at the National Science Foundation and was Hewlett-Packard's first chief technology officer. His most recent book is Abelard to Apple: The Fate of American Colleges and Universities, published in 2011 by MIT Press.

Articles by Richard DeMillo

The Accelerating Pace of Change in Higher Education

Feb 8, 2017 · Richard DeMillo · 2 Comments

Judging from recent books, articles, and editorials, higher education is poised for a cataclysmic collapse. There is a considerable body of opinion that systemic problems such as runaway tuition, student debt, low graduation rates and pervasive elitism are so wired into the collective culture of college faculty and administrators that only drastic and disruptive measures … Continue reading “The Accelerating Pace of Change in Higher Education”

Accreditation–or Real Quality Assurance?

Jan 16, 2013 · Richard DeMillo · No Comments

Higher education still relies on a weak accreditation system, but something better will replace it.

Taylor Walsh’s “Unlocking the Gates” of Academe

Feb 22, 2012 · Richard DeMillo · No Comments

Let’s party like it’s 1995.

Reforming College Sports

Jan 20, 2012 · Richard DeMillo · No Comments

We need a “firewall” between big-time sports and university academics.

Law Schools Guard Entry to the Profession and Should Teach Virtue Jul 26, 2017
Law school faculties hold a sacred trust. We guard the outermost portals into the legal profession, a group that wields powers to shape society in profound and lasting ways. Several years ago, the law faculty on which I serve decided to fulfill our trust by educating lawyers in the great tradition of the liberal arts—to … Continue reading “Law Schools Guard Entry to the Profession and Should Teach Virtue”
Study Only What You Want? Not If You Want to Be Successful Jul 24, 2017
Recently, a general education course at UNC-Chapel Hill, “Big-Time College Sports,” was canceled. This sparked controversy after the course’s professor, Jay Smith, argued that the class, which he had taught in previous semesters, was axed because its treatment of Chapel Hill’s recent academic/athletics scandal cast the university in a negative light. Lost in much of … Continue reading “Study Only What You Want? Not If You Want to Be Successful”
My University Treated Me Like a Criminal Over a Joke Jul 19, 2017
For the past six years, I have taught an undergraduate course on international economics at Johns Hopkins University. Most of my students thought it was a very good course. So I was shocked when, on December 6, 2016, I was met at the door of my classroom by Johns Hopkins security personnel and barred from … Continue reading “My University Treated Me Like a Criminal Over a Joke”

Purdue Shakes Up Academe (Not All Presidents Are as Innovative as Mitch Daniels) Jul 12, 2017
Five years ago, higher education was abuzz over distance learning, a “disruptive technology.” The big question was whether traditional colleges and universities could incorporate the new technology or if they would be crippled because they couldn’t adapt to it. The rapid growth of for-profit online schools and the advent of MOOCs (massive open online courses) … Continue reading “Purdue Shakes Up Academe (Not All Presidents Are as Innovative as Mitch Daniels)”
My University Wastes Time and Money on Sexual Assault Training Jun 28, 2017
If anyone needed a reminder that American colleges and universities have become expert at wasting time and money, my recent experience with mandatory “sexual assault training” might supply it. I am on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (UWW), where I teach English. Last February, all members of the campus community were informed by … Continue reading “My University Wastes Time and Money on Sexual Assault Training”
Why Colleges Should Be Allowed to Limit Students’ Federal Loans Jun 26, 2017
Student loan debt, now totaling roughly $1.3 trillion, is the second largest source of debt in the United States. This is especially concerning given that there are presently eight million people in default on their student loans. Under federal law, colleges, especially those with open enrollment such as two-year technical schools, face severe consequences if, for … Continue reading “Why Colleges Should Be Allowed to Limit Students’ Federal Loans”

Purdue Shakes Up Academe (Not All Presidents Are as Innovative as Mitch Daniels) Jul 12, 2017
Five years ago, higher education was abuzz over distance learning, a “disruptive technology.” The big question was whether traditional colleges and universities could incorporate the new technology or if they would be crippled because they couldn’t adapt to it. The rapid growth of for-profit online schools and the advent of MOOCs (massive open online courses) … Continue reading “Purdue Shakes Up Academe (Not All Presidents Are as Innovative as Mitch Daniels)”
A Critical Education Department Position Has Been Filled—and Filled Well Jun 9, 2017
“Dems are taking forever to approve my people, including Ambassadors,” President Trump tweeted on June 5. “They are nothing but OBSTRUCTIONISTS! Want approvals.” Fortunately for President Trump, many appointments don’t require Senate approval, and a cabinet member may appoint leaders to certain high-level positions within his or her department. This week Secretary of Education Betsy … Continue reading “A Critical Education Department Position Has Been Filled—and Filled Well”
21st Century College Admissions: Bidding for Brains May 17, 2017
Going through the college process makes no sense. First, kids guess where they might want to go, then pay to apply, wait to hear, and, if accepted, fill out financial aid forms, wait, and eventually learn what it will cost. That’s a poor process for buying something that costs between $100,000 and $300,000. My daughter’s … Continue reading “21st Century College Admissions: Bidding for Brains”

Law Schools Guard Entry to the Profession and Should Teach Virtue Jul 26, 2017
Law school faculties hold a sacred trust. We guard the outermost portals into the legal profession, a group that wields powers to shape society in profound and lasting ways. Several years ago, the law faculty on which I serve decided to fulfill our trust by educating lawyers in the great tradition of the liberal arts—to … Continue reading “Law Schools Guard Entry to the Profession and Should Teach Virtue”
Study Only What You Want? Not If You Want to Be Successful Jul 24, 2017
Recently, a general education course at UNC-Chapel Hill, “Big-Time College Sports,” was canceled. This sparked controversy after the course’s professor, Jay Smith, argued that the class, which he had taught in previous semesters, was axed because its treatment of Chapel Hill’s recent academic/athletics scandal cast the university in a negative light. Lost in much of … Continue reading “Study Only What You Want? Not If You Want to Be Successful”
Student Free Speech Suffers a Defeat Jul 21, 2017
Since launching its Stand Up for Free Speech project in 2014, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has had a great deal of success in defeating college officials when they interfere with the free speech of students. But you can’t win them all, and a recent decision went against FIRE and the students … Continue reading “Student Free Speech Suffers a Defeat”