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President Emerita’s Memoir, Experience Is The Angled Road By R. Barbara Gitenstein, On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, R. Barbara Gitenstein’s memoir, Experience Is the Angled Road, explores her journey to leadership, and the challenges she faced as a woman, a Jew, and a Southerner in a predominantly white, male-dominated academic world.
Experience Is The Angled Road
R. Barbara Gitenstein, a trailblazer in higher education, became the first woman and Jewish president of The College of New Jersey in 1999. Her groundbreaking achievement was a testament to her resilience, determination, and exceptional leadership skills.
Drawing on her extensive experience in academia, Gitenstein now serves as a consultant, offering invaluable guidance to modern-day college administrators. In her memoir, Experience Is the Angled Road, she chronicles her journey to the presidency and shares the lessons she learned along the way.
Growing up in Florala, Alabama, Gitenstein faced unique challenges as a Jewish girl from a Yankee family. Her intellectual passions and love of music often set her apart, fostering a sense of “otherness” that she learned to embrace. These experiences taught her to navigate the periphery as a position of power, a skill that would serve her well throughout her career.
Gitenstein’s memoir candidly explores the sexism, anti-Semitism, and regional biases she encountered in both her personal and professional life. She also acknowledges the significant role of mentors in helping her overcome these obstacles and achieve her goals.
With refreshing honesty and vulnerability, Gitenstein shares her personal struggles and triumphs, offering a powerful and inspiring narrative. Her story is a testament to the importance of resilience, leadership, and intersectionality in navigating the complexities of higher education.
I think people need to embrace what is right and say when something is wrong but also understand that there are certain bedrock principles of higher education and the United States that have to be valued.
My story captures the shock and the humor as I, almost always, was the only ‘whatever’ in the room — woman, Jew, liberal.
I found that embracing the privilege of being an outsider results in great vision and ultimately can be a great foundation for strength.
-R. Barbara Gitenstein
R. Barbara Gitenstein
A distinguished leader in higher education, R. Barbara Gitenstein served as President Emerita of The College of New Jersey for nearly two decades. With over four decades of experience as a college professor and administrator, she has held prominent positions in both the public and private sectors.
Prior to her role at The College of New Jersey, Gitenstein served as Provost and Executive Vice President at Drake University. Her appointment as president at The College of New Jersey marked a historic milestone, as she was the first woman to hold this position at both institutions.
Currently, Gitenstein serves as a Senior Fellow and Consultant for the Association of Governing Boards, sharing her expertise and insights with higher education leaders.
Throughout her career, Gitenstein has made significant contributions to the field of higher education. She is the author of numerous academic articles on Jewish-American Literature and academic administration, as well as the monograph Apocalyptic Messianism and Jewish-American Poetry. Her expertise has been sought after by media outlets, and she has delivered over 100 presentations at conferences and events.
Gitenstein’s latest book, Portrait of a Presidency: Patterns in My Life as President of The College of New Jersey, is scheduled for publication in January 2025. This highly anticipated work will offer valuable insights into her leadership experiences and the challenges and triumphs of serving as a university president.
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