From Protest to President: A Social Justice Journey through the Emergence of Adult Education and the Birth of Distance Learning

From Protest to President: A Social Justice Journey through the Emergence of Adult Education and the Birth of Distance Learning

George A. Pruitt, Melissa A. Maszczak (With)
$34.95
Publication Date: December 9th, 2022
Publisher:
Rutgers University Press
ISBN:
9781978829749
Pages:
344

Description

From Protest to President describes an inspirational odyssey of a young, Black activist coming of age in Mississippi and Chicago in the tumultuous 1960s and '70s, culminating in a notable thirty-five-year presidency at Thomas Edison State University.  
 
From barbershop encounters with Malcolm X to death threats at Illinois State University and gunfire at Towson State, Pruitt provides a powerful narrative poised at the intersection of social justice, higher education and politics. He recounts leadership experiences at HBCUs and public universities across the country, as he advocated for autonomy at Morgan State and fought to preserve Tennessee State University.  
 
His steadfast activism, integrity and courage led to groundbreaking work in providing access to higher education for working adults and the military.
 
From his days as a student protester in high school and college to his appearances on Capitol Hill, Pruitt has earned the reputation as a candid and influential leader in higher education.  

 

About the Author

GEORGE A. PRUITT is president emeritus and board distinguished fellow at Thomas Edison State University. Identified as one of the country’s most effective college presidents in a study funded by the Exxon Education Foundation, he is the recipient of numerous awards, honors, and commendations -- including six honorary degrees. He has consulted widely in higher education, business, and government. His stewardship and service led to his appointment in an advisory capacity to five secretaries of education under three U.S. presidents of both parties.
 
MELISSA A. MASZCZAK serves as senior fellow and director of the Center for Leadership and Governance at Thomas Edison State University. 

Praise for From Protest to President: A Social Justice Journey through the Emergence of Adult Education and the Birth of Distance Learning

"George Pruitt’s sense of decency, intelligence, and integrity shines through From Protest to President. He shaped and built one of the most interesting educational institutions in our country. Dr. Pruitt has written a truly American story." 
— Thomas H. Kean

"From Protest to President reveals Dr. George Pruitt as a man of principle, passion, and stamina: one of the most important voices for social equity and quality in higher education. Wherever Pruitt happened to be, transformation occurred." 
— R. Barbara Gitenstein

"From Protest to President is a book about citizenship and the great possibilities that can be achieved in this amazing country, a journey Pruitt navigated with persistence and class. Dr. George Pruitt is a treasure, and From Protest to President a gem."
— Jonathan Scott Holloway