Skip Downing, PhD

Faculty Development
SkipDowning

Dr. Skip Downing is an international consultant in the field of faculty development and student success strategies. Dr. Downing has earned degrees from Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Santa Monica, and Carnegie Mellon University and holds advanced degrees in both English and counseling psychology. He was Professor of English at Baltimore City Community College for 32 years. He created and coordinated the college’s Student Success Programs, which resulted in significant increases in both student academic success and retention. He is the Author of On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and in Life . . .  a text used in over 500 institutions of higher education.

 Dr. Downing has made numerous presentations at national conferences and conducted faculty development workshops at many two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the Virgin Islands. Dr. Downing’s teaching, writing, and consulting are all guided by his belief that the greatest mission of any educational institution is to empower its students to live rich, fulfilling lives. Since 1996, he has facilitated the On-Course Workshops, intensive four-day retreats for college educators focusing on proven strategies for helping students become active, responsible partners in their education and achieve greater success in college and in life.

Dr. Downing is also a former neighbor of TLCI’s Principal Director, Manfred Smith. We found this out when Dr. Harvey Stempel told his wife, TLCI Executive Director, Nancy, about the excellent text and program, On Course, that he was using in his Principles of Academic Success class at Montgomery College. After reviewing On Course and appreciating its value, she wanted to integrate its principles into TLCI’s programs and she mentioned this to Manfred.

When he heard Skip Downing’s name, he said . . . I know Skip, we were neighbors and used to talk about our experiences in education.” The connection was revived, so much so, that now Dr. Downing sits on the Advisory Board of TLCI.