Where There is Smoke, There is Fired .

Well almost, apparently a resignation serves the same general purpose when it comes to American educational institutions. On April 27, 2007 it was revealed the admissions Dean at Massachusetts Institute of technology had been living a lie for 28 years. This individual lied about her credentials and in fact had no degree from any college. How is this possible? Moreover, what does this say of Massachusetts Institute of Technology?

Marilee Jones, Dean of Admissions at M.I.T., originally represented herself as having degrees from three academic institutions when in fact, she had no degrees. She confessed this fact on the M.I.T. Admissions Blog. On top of this, she has received the institute's highest honor for administrators, the M.I.T. Excellence Award for Leading Change. Obviously, a matter of serious importance at any place of employment. Yet, no one bothered to check this woman's academic credentials in the entire 28 years she worked.

Now, an author who traveled the country on a promotional tour promoting, "Less Stress, More Success: A New Approach to Guiding Your Teen Through College Admissions and Beyond". A book co-authored with Dr. Kenneth R. Ginsburg, a pediatrician. She is said to be an inspiration and leader by meeting her original objective which was to recruit females to the traditionally male dominated campus. She sought to reduce the competitive admissions process by downplaying the norm of many campus recruiters which is S.A.T. scores as an admissions policy must have. While her revelation tends to place her in the "Hall of Shame". On the brighter side, since coming on board with the primary goal of recruiting more women to the campus she had succeeded. Initially, a mere 17 percent of students were females compared to nearly half of the students being females today even though the campus continues to be considered male dominated.

Perhaps the fact she fabricated her credentials would not be so damaging except that it runs parallel to the same concept of academic excellence and the honesty policy against plagiarism. Plagiarism is a top policy at every leading and secondary school across the nation. It is also an absolute reason for expulsion at every major university if proven against a student.

Can M.I.T. retain its coveted reputation after having demonstrated a slacking in the fact checking department of credentials? Why an academic institute failed to check academic credentials will require an explanation. Sometimes in life you will discover, honesty is not the best policy. But be sureyour sins will find you out.
Obviously, what prompted this revelation from the Dean of Admissions was a tip off from someone in her past as I suspect after living this lie for 28 years it had become second nature and didn't tend to bother her very much. Of course, that is a personal opinion and despite all of the equality this woman brought to the esteemed campus; she now brings equal if not more shame.

Let this be a lesson for those of you who are now in the market for a job and tempted to embellish your resume a bit. Don't! Sooner or later you will be found out and you likely will be in a less favorable position because of having done so.
Be real, be honest, be factual. Don't risk losing your career later, because you need a job now.

Learn more about this author, Tonya J. Thomas.
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