College as a Public Good

Making the case through community engagement

Public confidence in higher education has fallen in recent years, with barely half of Americans seeing it in a positive light. Yet polling shows that people are far more likely to view their local college favorably, a perception that may be burnished by their many interactions with their hometown institution. This new report delves into the many roles colleges play in their local towns, states, and regions -- as educators and employers, real-estate developers, arts-and-culture magnets, civic conveners, and public-health champions.

At a crucial moment for higher education, this report examines how colleges can reimagine their traditional outreach to find innovative ways to partner with their communities and rebuild public trust.

Purchase this report to learn:

• Why partnerships with community groups and employers succeed best when they are reciprocal, not paternalistic.
• How colleges can act as “quarterback organizations” that coordinate goals, strategies, and investments for a community.
• How institutions can protect their own financial state by improving surrounding neighborhoods.
• Why more colleges are emphasizing lifelong education by strengthening ties to K-12 schools and offering job training and non-degree credentials to meet local economic needs.

Date: July 2023
Pages: 64
Digital file size: 5.4 MB

Print Copy and Digital Copy purchases are intended for one individual’s use only. To share the digital version with up to 25 people, please select Team Digital Access. 

To share the digital version with more than 25 people, learn more about our digital licensing options and request a quote. For multi-copy purchases, please refer to our bulk pricing schedule.