As Arbo and Benneworth (2007) have alerted us, higher education institutions are now expected not only to conduct education and research, but also to play an active role in the development of their economic, social and cultural surroundings. They call this the "regional mission" of HEIs. This paper is concerned with cultural engagement. Research…

Beginning with a view of the role of tertiary-level educational institutions in the globalizing world and the condition of the Polish higher education system in 2007, the author presents the factors affecting the regional development as well as those that exert the strongest influence on long-term regional development. While examining current…

Cites and provides abstracts for six documents from the ERIC junior colleges collection dealing with community development. Articles deal with both rural and urban development. (AYC)

Asserting that exploration of the role of higher education in community building is not unique to the United States, describes examples of collaborative efforts involving universities and communities working together in the United States, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, and Mexico. (EV)

Explores the Community Resource Center (CRC), a model for community college leadership in community development. Describes the community projects and activities of six community colleges which have established CRCs. Emphasizes that the CRC's main purposes are to facilitate citizen involvement in community decision making and to improve community…

Examines the roles played by universities in three distinct community-building initiatives in Oakland (California) over a five-year period, and outlines four lessons for university-community partnerships. The lessons affirm that the contributions universities can make to community-building are very important, and that the process of maintaining…

Traditionally, university outreach and public service have been organized around two distinct, fragmented approaches: supporting research and instruction linked directly to economic and community development (extension education) and meeting continuing education needs. Two programs at the University of California, San Diego, use a regionally…

Describes Wenatchee Valley Community College's Community Resource Center (CRC), created to promote information exchange, community dialogue, and alliance building to help solve community problems. Reviews the role of the CRC's advisory board and the ways in which the CRC has served the community. (DMM)

Reports on the project, New Initiatives for Economic Development: An Experiment in Community Development. Reveals the economic impacts of 100 new jobs in a community, the achievements of the project to date, and identifies barriers to economic growth in Illinois communities. (AYC)

Describes efforts of the Los Angeles Community College District's three most affected campuses to help rebuild Los Angeles in the wake of the 1992 riots. Discusses sensitivity gatherings, new job development partnerships with business and government, community outreach, and the district's long-term commitment to the city. (DMM)

The Directions for the Future Conference focused on the roles, responsibilities, and challenges of developing a working relationship among community colleges and community agencies in realizing the total mission of education. The conference was co-sponsored by the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges and the University of Oregon's…

Discusses the role of community colleges in attracting new businesses to the area, focusing on the formation of community partnerships. Suggests that community colleges should position themselves as facilitators and brokers of training and education activities. Describes five basic steps in recruiting businesses, highlighting three examples of…

Traces increases in Indian-controlled economic development, community health, and cultural programs on reservations, highlighting the role of tribal colleges. Discusses Indian education's prior goals of complete submersion in White culture and separation of students from their heritage/language. Considers ways this legacy persists. Highlights…

Partnerships with communities help universities respond to contemporary societal issues, enrich educational experiences, and offer opportunities for research and faculty service. At Georgia State University, three health-related programs link campus and community in projects for grandparents raising grandchildren, migrant farm workers, and…

The San Francisco State University (California) experience with a federally funded community-outreach program suggests universities are well-suited for certain partnership roles (convener, planner, capacity-builder) but not for others. True university-community partnerships must be built on mutual respect, equal status, and give-and-take;…