Ardent believer in the power of education to transform lives

Higher Education Champion

Ideas & Insights

A Blog for Bold Leaders

 

Building a better society with more equitable futures requires more than a cliched promise to “meet students where they are.” It demands that universities and colleges redesign themselves so students can become more than they ever imagined.

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Changing Lives Together

My Education Philosophy

Leading change in higher education requires proven experience, a strong commitment to inclusion and transparency and a fearless enthusiasm for building a better future that lifts students and communities through collaboration and big ideas.

 

Higher Education Expertise

 
Student success and equitable outcomes

Student success and
equitable outcomes

Growth, scaling and digital learning

Growth, scaling and
digital learning

Leadership, governance and organizational change

Leadership, governance and
organizational change

Partnerships and innovation 

Partnerships and innovation 

Strategic finance, business modeling and fundraising 

Strategic finance, business modeling
and fundraising 

 

Speaking Engagements

Direct and pragmatic advice for higher education leaders who want to act on bold ideas in a variety of areas like equity and bias, transforming teaching, scale and growth, external partnering and achieving success for more students.

 

Testimonials

Testimonials

“As a higher education leader, Dale brings a unique combination of optimism, insight, collaboration, and purpose, with a strong track record of expanding opportunity for students. Dale is the kind of leader who inspires colleagues and friends to aim higher than they thought possible and delights in their successes.”

Harrison Keller
Commissioner of Higher Education
State of Texas

“Dale is one of the most innovative and creative leaders in higher education.  He is passionate about the transformative power of education and the need to provide opportunities in higher education to those that are often left behind.“

Randy Woodson
Chancellor
North Carolina State University

“Dr. Dale Whittaker’s commitment to helping ensure all students have access to higher education is unwavering.  He is passionate, driven, and is a true champion of students and their success.  His insight and collaborative leadership approach are needed now, more than ever, as the landscape of higher education is changing rapidly.”

Paul J. Luna
President and CEO
Helios Education Foundation

“I experienced Dale inspiring a shared vision: UCF will become a model for higher education in the 21st century. A message that an institution of 80,000+ unique students, faculty, and staff members believed in. A plan and framework were essential for buy-in, but I believe its success was rooted from Dale's belief in valuing all perspectives and his mission for inclusive and equitable higher education.”

Josh Boloña
Student Body President 18-19

“Dale is a leader who is deeply committed to access and completion for disadvantaged students but also understands the on the ground tools and approaches to get it done.”


Peter McPherson
President
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

“From the first minute I met him I knew he was a phenomenal leader. He took the time to get to know me and he championed me as a valuable employee! Over the years I grew in admiration and respect for him and what he stood for. He challenged us to be better. Leading the effort to embrace diversity and build an inclusive community of administrators, faculty, staff, and students. Dale is a transformational leader with a strong moral compass!”

S. Kent Butler
Professor and Chief Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity Officer
University of Central Florida