By Jose Perez
Former member, Georgia Board of Regents
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. | My takeaway from serving as a member of the Board of Regents (BOR) is that most disparaging remarks about higher education in the University System of Georgia are based on misunderstandings and that the BOR needs to do a better job with public awareness.
Perez
A seat at the BOR is both a demanding and enjoyable honor. We learn about the 26 institutions in the University System, interact with their presidents, staff and students, and learn their needs. The hard part is to allocate the dollars when we get to know staff members and other Regents.
Among many enjoyable experiences during my tenure, two most unforgettable times were the University of Georgia’s repeat as national football champions. The memories shared with sons and grandsons at those games will transcend my lifetime.
I am proud to have taken part in many efforts that have changed lives for Georgians. I highlight these two on my list.
The first is the Workplace Interpersonal Relationship Certificate (WIRC). This program teaches essential skills, which we often refer to in the past as “soft skills,” which have now become essential skills. It enables our workforce population to work better together.
For instance, Greater Atlanta has a population approaching seven million, from every corner of the globe. It alone has 19 institutions of higher learning with an enrollment of almost 220,000 students, and is headquarters for 29 Fortune 1000 companies.
WIRC trains the workforce on conflict resolution, on problem solving and on working on teams. Kennesaw State University developed WIRC, which has become available to all 19 Atlanta Regional Council of Higher Education institutions. WIRC will help Georgia continue to be the best state to do business, live and play.
The second element that I initiated during my five year tenure that will yield a statewide result is a better way to teach civics in K-12. That includes ways to compare and contrast standards to enable students not only to understand how our system works, but also how well it works compared to many others.
To me the promise of America is like Lynn Anderson’s “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” And it is stated plainly in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution by the following three statements:
- Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, (the American dream);
- The Consent of the Governed; and
- In Order to form a More Perfect Union.
I initiated the effort on teaching civics that the state Board of Education rightly took on and developed the standards, unanimously adopted by the board.
First, we examined how American ideals of freedom and democracy protect against the threats of totalitarian ideology. Then we described the role of government in a totalitarian system, like communism and fascism.
We were able to compare the structure, power bases and decision-making processes of American democracy to those of totalitarian governments. This led to realizing how the ideals of American democracy conflict with those of totalitarianism. We studied the causes of the growth and decline of totalitarian forms of government and American policies that resist their spread.
Senate Bill 459, introduced in the Legislature last year, contained these concepts, and sought to codify the changes. However, it did not make it out of the Senate last session. We hope to see it move forward next year, which will improve our public education.
It has been an honor and my pleasure to serve as a Regent, on a board that seeks to improve public school education in Georgia.
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