The crisis facing American democracy and the challenges plaguing the U.S. higher education system are two sides of the same coin. Eroding public trust, increasing inequality, and weakening civic engagement are not separate issues; they are deeply interconnected, systemic problems that affect both higher education and a range of national institutions.
The United States cannot hope to build a more just and equitable society without first reckoning with the failures of its colleges and universities. Higher education is a key part of both the problem and the solution. When higher education works well, it leads to better lives across a range of measures. But right now, U.S. higher education does not work well for everyone.
CCA’s white paper, Complete College, America: Harnessing the Power of Higher Education to Renew American Democracy, outlines actionable steps that colleges and universities can take to prepare students for active, informed participation in civic life. The publication offers a playbook for how faculty, staff, and administrators can work to bolster civic engagement through curriculum, on-campus programming, partnerships with community-based organizations, and creating opportunities for students to learn and practice civic and democratic behaviors through volunteer, service, and career experiences.
Complete College, America: Harnessing the Power of Higher Education to Renew American Democracy calls on higher education leaders and policymakers to address inequities by:
- Investing in public colleges and universities, which have long been the engines of social mobility and economic opportunity. This investment should recognize that true access to college completion should include attending college exclusively full time.
- Rethinking admissions policies that prioritize privilege over potential.
- Ensuring that every student has access to the support and resources they need to thrive.
- Ensuring that every student’s education includes civic learning and democracy engagement so they are prepared to participate in the U.S. economy and democracy.
- Embracing a vision of education that is holistic, experiential, and grounded in today’s real-world challenges.
To download, click the tile to the right.
You can also view a 4-page summary of the white paper here.
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