By the end of this decade, two out of every three jobs available in our nation will require more than a high school education. In addition, “How do you prepare for a job that doesn’t exist? According to The New York Times , 65 percent of elementary school students face this very dilemma.”

A college education will be essential to the success of students. Their futures – and the future of our nation – depend on a university’s ability and willingness to be flexible, to explore new ways of working smarter, not harder, using 21st century technologies.

Let’s talk about - The American Dream

First, let me begin with the passion and belief that drives my work in higher education. Born in Havana, Cuba, I grew up in Madrid Spain, and I immigrated to the United States. A journey like that stays with you; shapes you; and guides your perspective on practically everything.

The gift that journey gave me is an unshakable belief in the American Dream – the exceptional combination of determination, hard work and opportunity that allows anyone – anyone- in this country to shape his or her future. I’ve never known a more empowering idea.

That dream can seem a little beat up these days. The challenges facing our middle class don’t help. Neither do the rising costs of higher education. Critics and cynics look for reasons to say the American Dream is dying. Someone, somewhere, as we speak, is probably drafting its obituary.

But not so fast. My own story, many of your stories are affirmation that the American Dream is alive and well.

The opportunity to help people achieve their goals, to give them the skills and knowledge to make the most of their God-given talents, to make a difference in improving the human condition - that’s what gets me up in the morning. Helping individuals realize their American Dream is the passion that drives my work in higher education. I am thrilled to be doing that work and I am thankful to have supportive friends, faculty, staff, and alumni at my side, making a difference and opening doors of opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Innovation is Our Salvation

While some universities are gilding their ivory towers, others are innovating. Our creativity; our openness to innovation; our ability to ensure that we offer high-quality education throughout – that’s how we will meet the needs of the students, employers and communities we serve. That’s how we will protect, promote and provide the American Dream for those who pursue it.

We need to break from the status quo; to leave behind the attitudes of “because it’s always been done this way” and “just tell me what to do.” We need to respond to technological changes and rapid growth. We need to prepare for even greater growth, and we need to redefine University roles and processes so everyone will have greater freedom to make the best decisions.

We need to continue to stay relevant for today and tomorrow. We must continue to hone, identify and develop programs of distinction. We need to graduate students with degrees in high demand fields with job ready skills.

But we need to go further, we need to graduate students who can analyze data, discern truths, write-well constructed sentences, and think creatively. We also need to graduate good men and women, who will walk in faith, stand firm against the winds of resistance and strengthen the moral fabric of this country.

I believe one basic function of a public university is to facilitate a well-educated citizenry capable of making good and informed decisions that benefit the whole of society. It follows then, we should produce graduates who can think for themselves, who are articulate and persuasive, who are critical, creative, and collaborative, and who are technologically proficient and competent across disciplines - Graduates who will contribute to the well-being of our nation, and the world. Graduates who are committed to improving the human condition.

As educators, we are uniquely qualified and uniquely positioned to produce the next generation of great leaders, to expand the boundaries of human knowledge, to increase productivity and our standard of living, and to enrich our quality of life.

Many of us have spent years and years becoming experts in our chosen fields. We are witnesses to a Google-fueled, Wikipedia-fed, blog-filled avalanche of information descending on our students. Never has a generation more desperately needed the training and knowledge to distinguish good information from bad. Never has a generation more desperately needed engaged mentors and engaged partners in their education.