We recommend this piece by the Brookings Institution, "Can leading universities be engines of sustainable development?" The piece includes an interview with Judith Rodin, former president of the University of Pennsylvania and of the Rockefeller Foundation. Rodin recently authored a book, "The University and Urban Revival."
As an urban institution, Rodin's thoughts are particularly relevant for the GW community, including the role we should play as an "anchor institution" in DC, driving sustainable and equitable development. She includes service-learning courses in this approach, but also considerations related to opportunities for employment of local residents, and prioritizing local sources in procurement and purchasing.