This new white paper, Harnessing the Power of Higher Education to Renew American Democracy, examines the interconnected relationship between higher education and American democracy. Download the full paper or a 4-page summary using this link on CCA's website.
The report, "Complete College, America: Harnessing the Power of Higher Education to Renew American Democracy," outlines how colleges and universities can better prepare students for civic engagement.
The white paper calls on higher education leaders and policymakers to address inequities through five key actions:
- Investing in public colleges and universities to support full-time attendance
- Reforming admissions policies that favor privilege over potential
- Ensuring universal access to student support resources
- Incorporating civic learning and democratic engagement into all programs
- Developing holistic, experiential education grounded in real-world challenges
"The crisis facing American democracy and the challenges plaguing the U.S. higher education system are two sides of the same coin. Eroding public trust, increasing inequality, and weakening civic engagement are not separate issues; they are deeply interconnected, systemic problems that affect both higher education and a range of national institutions. The United States cannot hope to build a more just and equitable society without first reckoning with the failures of its colleges and universities. Higher education is a key part of both the problem and the solution."
