This examination of innovation and invention in higher education presents the thesis that, contrary to public perceptions about the university and internal attempts at separation and purification, higher education has, from its earliest days, repeatedly introduced far-reaching innovations, responsive to the economic, social, and political needs of an expanding nation. The book's focus is largely on undergraduate, for-credit education. Part 1 examines the American environment for collegial innovation and provides an historic perspective, showing how social and environmental values have actually stimulated both process and product. In Part 2 the emergence in recent years of a number of highly innovative institutions or programmatic approaches is considered. The impact of six complex areas of innovation is measured, including new approaches in the liberal arts curriculum, access for new students, innovation and multiculturalism, adult continuing higher education, external degrees, and experiential degrees. Part 3 projects possible paths and opportunities for innovation in higher education's future and offers some practical examples and suggestions for educational leadership. It addresses the electronic university, changing college faculty roles, institutionalizing change, financing innovation, and innovative leadership. (JDD)