ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE PUBLIC COLLEGE - A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES - Vol. 14 - No. 82 - Overview

Sep 21, 2026

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A report from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities explains how public colleges and universities can actively support local and regional economic development through knowledge-based resources. It highlights how institutions can form alliances, expand their resource base, improve research opportunities, and meet public service obligations. Case studies describe initiatives ranging from partnering with industry to producing research-driven innovations. The study is based on literature review, a mail survey of 450 institutions, and on-site visits.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE PUBLIC COLLEGE: A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES

Public colleges’ role in local economic development

Case examples from multiple universities

Strategic checklist for development projects

Publication details and information request

Vol。14,No。82 # ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE PUBLIC COLLEGE:A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES For public colleges and universities,the possibilities for getting involved intheir community's economic development activities seem endless. With"knowledge based"resources available at institutions,colleges are an es-sential element in the competitive,technologically-advanced global economy,according to a new report released by the American Association of StateColleges and Universities(AASCU). Institutions can become involved in development projects in a variety of ways,the report says.For example,the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa helpedprevent the closing of a General Motors plant by supplying faculty and studentsto help identify cost-saving improvements.And George Mason University in nor-thern Virginia developed a niche in its region by improving its high techno-logy,public policy and fine arts programs. "The current interest …in economic development is no passing fad,"accordingto the report."Rather,it represents a fundamental shift in society's vlewtoward institutions of higher education." colleges may develop new alliances that will help them“expand their resourcebase,enhance their ability to attract and educate students,develop stimula-ting and useful research opportunities and fulfill public service obligations." The report,"The Higher Education-Economic Development Connection,"was pre-pared for AASCU by Tom Churma of SRI International,a research firm in MenloPark,Calif.Funding was provided in a cooperative agreement with the EconomicDevelopment Administration of the Commerce Department. The study,released during AASCU's National Conference on Higher Education andEconomic Development last week,was based on research conducted during the fallof 1985,including a review of the available literature on economic develop-ment,a mail survey of 450 public institutions and seven on-site visits. Colleges and universities should get involved in economic development activi-ties that make use of their own capabilities and meet the needs of theirregion,according to the report. "Each institution has a unique and dynamic set of strengths,obstacles,leadersand opposing voices,"the report says."To prescribe a particular role thatcolleges or universities of a particular type should play in economic deve1-opment is to ignore their uniqueness."(more) (C April 29,1986 # DEVELOPMENT AND THE PUBLIC COLLEGE:A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES(Cont.) The report includes a host of examples of institutions that have forged suc-cessful development programs.Among them: ■ Cleveland State University--For two decades,Cleveland State has providedeconomic information and analysis to assist local development.For example,the College of Urban Affairs provides data collection and technical assistanceto many state,city and neighborhood groups.Throughout it all,the university"has been very careful to maintain neutrality in its work,"acting as an ad-vocate for understanding rather than for particular development programs. ■ Western Carolina University--Economics is important in rural as well as ur-ban areas,the report notes.Western Carolina University in Cullowhee,N.C.,has maintained the Center for Improved Mountain Living for the past decade,which has provided research and staff support for a number of problem-solvingactiyities such as helping regional groups organize,defining agendas foraction and improving their capacity to act on problems in new ways. ■ Arizona State University--As Arizona has attracted a large number of high-technology firms,Arizona State University in Tempe,Ariz.,has been developinga Center of Engineering Excellence to help industry address the human resourcedevelopment needs unique to that industry.With funding from state,federaland private sources,the center has been working with industry to identify theregion's needs.The institution is currently implementing phase II of itsproject,which“entails adding a new specialization

FAQs

What does the AASCU report say about the role of public colleges in economic development?

It argues that institutions should get involved using their own capabilities and aligning efforts with the needs of their region, since each college has unique strengths and obstacles.

How can colleges participate in economic development activities?

The report describes building new alliances, expanding resource bases, developing stimulating research opportunities, and fulfilling public service obligations through multiple project approaches.

What study methods were used for the report?

The study relied on a review of existing literature, a mail survey of 450 public institutions, and seven on-site visits.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Logic