ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The overall purpose of the New Designs for the Two-Year Institution of Higher Education (NDTYI) project is to bring the best ideas from research and practice to bear on the design of two-year institutions. In this report, we present a design process, a set of design specifications, some initial new designs for two-year institutions, and the supporting rationale that are in keeping with the vision set forth above.

We have had much help along the way and many of their names are presented in the first appendix to this report. However, we give special thanks to the following individuals:

• The National Design Group for giving constant encouragement and sage guidance with far horizons.
• The New Designs Work Group for helping to develop and pilot test our design process.
• The many practicing staff of two-year institutions as well as others in several graduate courses and workshops sponsored by the Leadership Academy for Two-Year Institutions of Higher Education at the University of Minnesota for also testing and critiquing our design processes.
• The many two-year institution students and staff, and community representatives who participated in focus group interviews for pointing the way and giving fresh insights.
• Sandra Krebsbach for assistance in coordinating and carrying out the day-to-day work of the project with enthusiasm and persistence.
• Patricia Copa, Peggy DeVries, Jan Gullickson, Bruce Jilk, and Sandra Krebsbach for drafting sections of chapters and design specifications in ways that were always insightful.
• Michelle Englund for editing the entire manuscript in a thoughtful and thorough manner.
• To the many secretaries who helped over the two and one-half years to bring this project and report to careful closure.
• To the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education through the National Center for Research in Vocational Education at the University of California at Berkeley and its directors, Charles Benson, who got us started, and David Stern, who brought us to completion, for providing the opportunity and financial support to make this all happen.
• To the University of Minnesota site of the National Center and its director, Charles Hopkins, for making this project a priority and constantly nurturing its progress.

Thank you very much to a cast of hundreds.

As this summary report is being prepared, our project work continues as we

• identify and describe the practices of benchmark institutions who have already put in place some of the design specifications we have recommended.
• provide technical assistance to two-year institutions with an interest in applying the design process to their context.
• form partners to assist in disseminating and implementing our recommendations.
• provide training through workshops, conferences, and special interest institutes across the United States and internationally.