In Elisabeth Muhlenfeld’s final year as president of Sweet Briar College, the longtime educator seized an opportunity to speak to the next U.S. president on higher education public policy.

Muhlenfeld is one of 21 contributors to a new book, “Letters to the Next President: Strengthening America’s Foundation in Higher Education.” The volume, published in June 2008 by the Korn/Ferry Institute, is a collection of essays written by leaders from across the spectrum of American higher education.

SBC President Elisabeth Muhlenfeld is one of several contributors to a new book addressing public policy and higher education.“The publication includes a number of brief but trenchant letters to the next administration relative to higher education policy,” Muhlenfeld said.

Her 10-page essay addresses three issues – competitive edge, equality of opportunity and ethical leadership. She argues that these are fundamental elements of America’s success story and that each is showing signs of stress.

“Our colleges and universities can and must play a key role in shoring up these traditional strengths,” she writes. “Here is where our political leaders should be focusing their attention.”

John Brademas, president emeritus of New York University and former U.S. representative from Indiana, wrote a concise forward for the book, calling it “required reading for all government officials involved in education,” whether they serve at the federal, state or local level.

“The overall quality and the splendid diversity of our nation’s institutions of higher education must be enhanced, not just preserved and protected, by government policies and actions,” he said.

“How to do that without stifling creativity and without simply throwing money at problems is rehearsed in detail in the essays in this volume.”