Dr. Michael Horowitz, a visionary leader and Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System, is a dynamic individual based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. With a passion for empowering the community and a solid background in higher education, Dr. Horowitz has crafted a diverse and impressive professional journey.
Career Journey: Leadership in Education Realm
Dr. Horowitz’s journey has been anchored in the belief that integrating diverse perspectives and experiences leads to remarkable outcomes. He has had the privilege of serving in various roles—from faculty member to chancellor. “During my time as president of The Chicago School, we transformed a struggling single-program institution into a multi-campus leader in graduate psychology and behavioral sciences, educating more than 2,000 students annually,” Dr. Horowitz shares. This period not only tested Dr. Horowitz’s determination but also honed his perspective on the transformative power of a concept he calls radical cooperation. In 2009, Dr. Horowitz founded The Community Solution Education System, an integrated, nonprofit system of colleges and universities that collaborate to build strategic partnerships and leverage economies of scale, ultimately increasing student success and enhancing community impact.
As Dr. Horowitz led The Chicago School and later the broader The Community Solution Education System, he focused on breaking down the silos that have traditionally separated educational institutions.
The Community Solution exemplifies how educational entities could and should work together to amplify their impact. “Through a shared infrastructure and culture of collaboration, The Community Solution has expanded program offerings and advanced innovative learning models for our six-member institutions, collectively educating more than 13,000 students annually,” Dr. Horowitz explains.
The Inspiration that Sparked The Community Solution
The inspiration for The Community Solution Education System came from the successes and challenges Dr. Horowitz experienced at The Chicago School. He realized that collaboration, rather than competition, was essential for sustained growth. This insight evolved into a model where colleges could share resources, optimize spending, and collectively focus on student success and community impact.
Today’s higher education sector is experiencing significant challenges, including financial instability and declining student enrollment. This underscores the necessity for alternative governance models and collaborative frameworks to support small nonprofit institutions. “By coming together, we can improve our capacity to innovate and address the evolving demands of 21st-century higher education,” emphasizes Dr. Horowitz.
The Collaborative Model at The Community Solution
The collaborative model at the institutions provides strong support services, innovative programs, and enhanced learning environments that directly benefit the students. When a solution for retention or test proves to work at one institution, the team can scale that solution to support students across the System. The System offers expertise and resources to help achieve programmatic accreditation and expand degree offerings.
Creating Impactful Community Leaders Through Partnerships
The cooperative relationships among various colleges and universities at The Community Solution enable the scaling of solutions to some of the most common challenges in higher education. The Community Solution team works across institutions to enhance the academic experience by integrating new technology such as virtual and augmented reality and artificial intelligence into their teaching methods. They also collaborate to develop partnerships that facilitate real-world learning while addressing community needs. For example, the Virtual Clinical Training Center at The Chicago School offers free counseling sessions to underserved communities in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, alleviating some of the burden on local providers. Partner clinics in this area assist by providing physical space for patients to participate in their sessions.
Diversity: At the Heart of The Community Solution
At The Community Solution, nearly half of the students identify as an underrepresented minority and one in three are the first in their family to earn a college degree. Many are working adults who have family responsibilities. The team strives to ensure educational access for a diverse student population while preparing them for careers in high-demand fields through flexible programs and a student-centered approach. For example, Pacific Oaks College, a Hispanic-serving institution partners with local school districts to establish low-cost, flexible degree programs that help address the teacher shortage. The Colleges of Law was the first to offer a hybrid JD program in California, broadening access to individuals who wish to study law.
“We highly value the development of a global perspective and provide short-term opportunities for students to travel abroad for field work or as part of the interdisciplinary study abroad course. By exposing students to diverse viewpoints, we enhance their understanding of societal issues and ultimately prepare them to be better practitioners,” shares Dr. Horowitz.
Leveraging Technologies for Better Engagement and Success
The Community Solution features Student Success Dashboards that identify at-risk students, allowing the team to implement timely interventions. Additionally, their Program Success Dashboards evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, ensuring that they meet the needs and expectations of students and faculty. Furthermore, faculty members receive training on integrating AI tools into courses, preparing students to utilize emerging technology in their professional lives.
Significance of Technologies in the Education Experience
Technology like virtual and augmented reality enhances the immersive learning experiences that can revolutionize education. These technologies bring complex concepts to life, provide virtual hands-on experiences, and facilitate global collaboration. The Community Solution is exploring these advancements to enrich the learning environment and empower both teachers and students with cutting-edge educational opportunities.
Kansas Health Science University is leading the way in integrating new technologies with its virtual cadaver labs. These labs allow students to engage with virtual anatomy platforms and advanced simulation tools such as Microsoft HoloLens augmented-reality headsets and the Visible Human Dissector.
Adapting to the Changing Educational Technologies
Dr. Horowitz shares insights about his team’s efforts to adapt to evolving technologies. ”We prioritize ongoing professional development and training to ensure that both students and faculty can navigate the rapidly changing educational technologies. Workshops, seminars, and online courses help keep the educators and students up to date with the latest tools and best practices.”
For instance, the Department of Teaching and Learning at The Community Solution serves as a resource for faculty across all member institutions. This collaborative access highlights the unique advantages of their collaborative system model.
The Community Solution’s Take on the Future of Education
Dr. Horowitz envisions an educational ecosystem where collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity drive academic excellence and yield strong outcomes for students. This approach is not just a strategy; it’s a necessity in a world where the challenges of education and workforce preparation are too complex for any single institution to tackle alone. The Community Solution aims to stay at the forefront of higher education by continually evolving, embracing new technologies, and fostering a collaborative culture. This commitment will ensure that the institution remains a leader in shaping the future of higher education.
More broadly, Dr. Horowitz hopes to move toward a model where systems, rather than standalone institutions, lead the way forward. By joining forces, institutions can dynamically respond to the educational needs of diverse populations, integrating the latest technological advancements and pedagogical research to ensure that the offerings are both relevant and impactful.
