Abstract A dominant narrative exists that all regional public universities (RPUs) are striving for prestige and, if given the chance, would readily abandon their missions of facilitating educational access marginalized students and increase admissions selectivity to privilege elite students. As a result this narrative, RPUs largely depicted as being unsure uncommitted missions. This chapter tests by examining research media reporting about sector. The argues some indicators prestige‐seeking...

This multiple-site case study of 24 intermediary organizations (IOs) engaged in postsecondary public policy examined how they identify issues and move issues, problems, solutions onto the higher education agenda. Specifically, this used agenda-setting theory to examine IOs construct solutions, processes employ set IO information production use were particular interest study. The findings demonstrate that engage multiple including coalition building, hosting convenings, storytelling,...

HBCUs traditionally build bridges, not fences, for their neighbors. –Barbara S. Frankle In its truest sense, higher education is aimed at fostering academic achievement and educating students good productive citizenship. With this purpose in mind, over the past few decades there has been a proliferation of research on civic engagement. Although substantial size reach, engagement literature limited terms depth scope. Many scholars working area have sought to define as well service learning;...

This article presents findings from a multiple-case study examining administrator choice in and use of institutional membership associations (IMAs) among Regional Comprehensive Universities (RCUs). The study's purpose was to understand what IMAs revealed about status-seeking mission-centeredness RCU administrators. Also examined how administrators leverage position their institutions the broader postsecondary field. Neo-institutional network theories guided analysis two subsets: those that...

Policy elites use rhetoric in speeches and press releases to provide framing that is intended influence public opinion. These rhetorical events can be treated as instances which speech usefully promotes particular discourses. Indeed, elected officials are able how individuals think about problems solutions through releases. Two important political advance frames for social issues annual state of the addresses (SoSA) given by U.S. governors gubernatorial inform media reporting policy. This...

The 2020 health pandemic and high-profile police murders of Black people inspired national conversations about racism brutality. This study examined how Intermediary Public Policy Organizations (IPPOs) discursively engaged with the racialized nature murder George Floyd, which have increased awareness systemic in society. Our discursive analysis IPPO statements published during these events revealed a pattern humanizing higher education institutions, race evasive policy proposals, lack action...

Although colleges and universities typically employ input metrics such as volunteer hours to assess the contributions of campus-community engagement, they often fail measure outputs in reciprocal partnerships with community leaders. This article discusses a community-based participatory action research (CBPR) study that centered on expertise assessments engagement determining outcomes for regional civic health equity. The used collective impact decolonial theories, involved campus leaders...

Performance-funding for higher education diffused across the U.S. following Great Recession that led to funding cuts system. Postsecondary never returned pre-Recession levels, and public colleges are held expectations even as they might use meet these has diminished. This is a challenge Regional Public University (RPU) leaders experience acutely. Policymakers performance-funding hold postsecondary institutions accountable meeting state goals. may assume will pursue metrics maintain or...

Click to increase image sizeClick decrease size Additional informationNotes on contributorsCecilia M. OrphanCecilia Orphan is an Associate Professor of Higher Education at the University Denver and Director Partnerships for Alliance Research Regional Colleges. Her research agenda teaching are inspired by her experiences as a first-generation college student who attended rural-serving community urban regional public university.Kevin R. McClureKevin McClure North Carolina Wilmington...

Considering the legacies of exclusion, white supremacy, and genocide found within walls U.S. higher education, public good construct is also embedded in genocide. The fact that existing notions remain intact unquestioned its origins means not for all individuals our society, particularly Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, gender diverse, ability diverse folks. Through a relational praxis, we engage freewriting Blackout poetry to share three solidarity narratives. This process action detailed...

Regional Comprehensive Universities (RCUs) are public institutions established to facilitate access, student-centeredness, and regional wellbeing, which has led scholars call them the “people’s universities.” This study examined histories of RCUs between 1970 2000, using qualitative inquiry narrative analysis data from oral history interviews with representatives 51 secondary archival data. Grounded in anchor institution framework organizational ecology theory, findings demonstrate that...

This multiple-case study examined the factors promoting or impeding ideal-centered change efforts focused on reclaiming founding civic commitments of three Regional Comprehensive Universities. Findings showed that successful agents engaged detractors in defining ideal and shaping while assessing recalibrating their approach as needed. Successful also initiated ongoing cultural engagement with early ensured it was present throughout process. These findings contrast prior research portraying...