Higher Education Trends (1997-1999): Higher Education and the Public Good. ERIC-HE Trends.

Overview & Synopsis

Higher education's relationship with and contribution to the public good emerged as a trend in the higher education literature in 1996. Three major themes are represented: the role of higher education, public relations, and collaboration. The literature and research continue to illustrate the valuable role of higher education in the important processes that underlie our culture and society. Most often discussed in the literature is economic development; political and social development have a significantly lesser role. Helpful additions to the literature are contextual studies that examine the impact of higher education on specific communities. A report developed for the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association examines the role of higher education in the development of the workforce, focusing on such issues as employers', learners', and the public's expectations. Public relations, an increasingly problematic issue, is not well represented in the literature. This area needs more research to understand how public perception affects higher education institutions, what shapes public opinion, and how it can be changed. Collaboration was also a major theme in the literature, with discussions about collaborations with industry, with K-12 educators, and within the institution. (Contains 13 references.) (JM)