As with many higher education institutions, Fresno State struggles with graduation rates. The overall six-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time freshmen hovers around 50 percent. The graduation gap between the two largest ethnic groups, White (55.6) and Hispanic (43.5), was 12.1 percentage points in 2012. This article reports on the…

Over the last two decades the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), has undergone transformation and ignited systemic change across the institution. Its Meyerhoff Scholars Program has made major achievements in recruiting and graduating African American students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at one of the…

Unlike many universities, the historically under-represented (URM) students at California State University, Monterey Bay, typically graduate at a higher rate than non-URM students. Intense efforts have been made by staff and faculty to increase retention and graduation rates of all students. This paper examines the graduation rates in the context…

Many colleges and universities are trying to understand the factors that contribute to Latina/o college student success. San Diego State University (SDSU) has been recognized by The Education Trust Report (2012) for having the highest increase in graduation rates, but most importantly, comparably to White students, increasing the graduation rates…

The Metropolitan Studies Institute (MSI) at the University of South Carolina Upstate (USC Upstate) demonstrates a robust and unique record of community impact through community indicators research and other translational research. The MSI's work drives programmatic priorities and funding decisions, generates revenue, and increases the community's…

Portland State University has become internationally known for its whole-university approach to community-university engagement. Many academic leaders from around the world are now drawing on models for engagement that originated at Portland State. As the university takes stock of its successes, of changing economic conditions, and of the…

The "four spheres" model of transformation, as viewed through the lens of the urban mission of California State University, Fresno, is examined through current projects in economic development, infrastructure development, human development, and the fourth sphere, which encompasses the broad vision. Local projects will be highlighted.

This case study of Florida State University (FSU) Panama City illustrates the essential importance of strong synergy among a branch campus, its main campus, and its community. The interdependence of the branch campus and its community is highlighted through discussion of the role of the campus administrator, various partnerships, and niche…

At Indiana State University, students confront civic realities through experiences provided within the Liberal Learning in Action classes. This program empowers students to make connections between community issues and the tools of "liberal learning," including critical analysis, appreciation of diversity and a strengthened ability to reflect and…

This article will highlight the partnership between First Year College and University Housing at North Carolina State. We will address how an academic college has evolved into a living and learning community including information about our Resident Mentor position, First Year Inquiry (FYI) courses and our linked-course program, the Student…

This article explains the value to our campus community of a vibrant conversation addressing the question: What does it mean to be an educated person? Our ongoing, campus-wide dialogue began in 2003 and brings San Jose State employees and students together to explore the question of what skills, knowledge, dispositions and habits an educated…

This article will interweave a history of service learning and civic engagement in the California State University with profiles of campuses that have enjoyed significant success in developing their programs. In this paper, the disengagement between the Institutional Culture Cluster and three other clusters and/or indicators of engagement will be…

American universities confront unique challenges as they move into the twenty-first century. These include rapid population growth, demographic and economic changes on both global and regional levels, and the numerous local challenges that face today's communities. Modern universities must engage, and in turn be engaged by, their communities in…

Discusses the advantages of international service learning programs in developing students' language and cross-cultural communication skills, as well as their concept of the world as an interdependent system. Notes characteristics and outcomes of successful international service learning programs, such as the program at the University of North…

The unique partnership of the University System of Maryland, Maryland State Department of Education, and Maryland Higher Education Commission has created rich opportunities for collaboration to improve K-16 education and articulation. The relationships and the results in mathematics and writing are described, with Towson University offered as a…