Robert Goldschmidt

In Higher Education (HE), balancing academic rigor with holistic student support is key to helping students succeed in diverse and challenging circumstances. This mission is central to the work of Dr. Robert Goldschmidt, Vice President and Dean of Students at Touro University, where he has dedicated over 50 years to fostering student growth and institutional evolution.

In this conversation, Dr. Goldschmidt speaks to Jack Eagle, Co-Host of The Interview, reflecting on his career path, Touro’s commitment to its mission-driven education model, and the initiatives that address the needs of a diverse student body. He also shares his thoughts on engaging time-poor students, promoting inclusivity, and the importance of resilience and lifelong growth.

Robert’s Journey

Jack: Let’s start with a quick introduction to yourself and your institution…

I joined Touro University half a century ago after completing my graduate studies at NYU. My first role here was as an assistant professor, but about three years after I started, the Dean of Students resigned, and I was appointed acting assistant Dean. Eventually, I was offered the position officially, and I’ve been working with students ever since – it’s my passion. Over the years, my career has taken various directions and currently I also serve as Touro’s Vice President for Planning and Assessment as well as the Accreditation Liaison Officer  to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

When I joined, Touro was a small liberal arts University. We achieved university status in New York State in 2022. Today, we have undergraduate schools and over a dozen graduate and professional schools, including six medical schools across New York, Nevada, California, and Montana, as well as graduate schools of health sciences, business, technology, pharmacy, and dentistry. It’s been a beautiful evolution into a large university, with more students now enrolled in graduate and professional programs than at the undergraduate level.

Touro is a mission-driven institution with a dual focus: perpetuating the Jewish heritage while also serving the broader and diverse community. Many of our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and we focus on giving them the opportunity to earn their degrees in a supportive environment.

Jack: What are the main topics you look to engage students on at Tuoro?

We take a holistic view of the student experience. At the undergraduate level, about two-thirds of our students are female, and they are quite diverse in age and background. We know that success in the classroom depends on various factors. Life circumstances often impact a student’s ability to move forward and succeed, so we offer support services like tutoring, mentoring, and a wellness center.

We also have a Student Advocate Office, where students can seek help with non-academic issues. Many of our students are first-generation, come from disadvantaged backgrounds, or are juggling family and work responsibilities, so we have to be mindful of their unique needs and challenges.

‍Jack: How do you go about engaging time-poor students, making sure you reach as many as possible?

Communication is key. We use technology to reach students who may not be able to attend meetings in person. COVID-19 changed the educational landscape – now, many classes and student services are offered online. This flexibility allows students with other responsibilities to access resources and participate in ways that weren’t possible before.

At Touro, we respect each student’s dignity and right to self-expression, but we also emphasize the responsibility to ensure that their actions do not infringe on the educational rights of others.

Jack: That’s such an important issue right now. What kinds of initiatives have you put in place to educate students about this?

One of our initiatives is celebrating students’ unique heritage and backgrounds through academic offerings. We have courses on African American history, the Hispanic experience in the U.S., American women’s history, and more. These courses send a clear message that we respect all students, their rights, and their backgrounds.

We also foster open communication through events like annual town hall meetings hosted by our President. These meetings give students from various Touro schools the opportunity to submit questions and hear directly from leadership, reinforcing transparency and dialogue.

Jack: How do you engage students at scale on topics that don’t come up naturally?

Engaging students is always a challenge, especially at an institution like ours, with multiple campuses and many adult learners. Some students are not disengaged – they simply have other responsibilities, like work or family, that prevent them from participating fully in campus life.

We try to incentivize meetings and participation as much as possible, but we recognize the limitations. Students come to Touro with full lives, and we respect that.

Jack: What is the best advice you have for others?

Develop the skill of listening – there is so much to learn, and you can learn from anyone. Also, never settle. Always seek to grow and keep the passion to develop your skills. Finally, in any career, there will be successes and setbacks. When setbacks occur, don’t give up. Persevere and remain resilient.