Two decades ago, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities issued a report on “stewardship of place,” a phrase coined by its members to help regional public institutions define an important part of their distinct mission to improve educational attainment and to serve as economic engines in their local communities.

AASCU’s latest analysis takes stock of that work, which includes expanded program offerings, workforce development partnerships, community engagement initiatives, and student accessibility measures.

As a police recruit in Missouri in the 1990s, Gary Hill was one of two Black students in his academy class. Although he has faced racism in his years on the force since then, he believes that policing can be a public good, and that reimagining approaches to recruiting and training can inspire necessary change within the ranks. 

In 2020, Hill started the first police academy at Lincoln University in Jefferson City. In this interview, he explains how he is trying to change policing one recruit at a time.

Findings from a new research study show that emotional stress and mental health are the biggest reasons many students consider dropping out of college. 

In response, some colleges and professors are taking steps to make the college experience less stressful. This includes redesigning courses, assigning realistic workloads, communicating clear expectations for how work will be graded, and more.