Adler University President Raymond E. Crossman, Ph.D., joined a roundtable discussion on April 2 to share thoughts on how higher education leaders can help navigate institutions through the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual event was hosted by Jack Stripling, senior writer for The Chronicle of Higher Education, and featured a panel of college and university presidents from across the country.

Crossman spoke about the importance of coming together as a university community and supporting each other—students, faculty, and staff—especially during this unprecedented time. “It’s important to talk about how we can help get each other through this,” Crossman said. “We need to be flexible and supportive, and figure out a new way to work and to learn together.”

He also talked about how important it is now, and always, for institutions to take a stand against racism and xenophobia. “I think higher education has a very important role in speaking out at this time,” Crossman said. “I think it’s incumbent upon us to step up, act up, and speak out.”