Civic Engagement and the "Research College"

Abstract

Liberal arts colleges infrequently appear as prominent models of civic engagement. Yet their low profile and limited role in the higher education engagement discourse masks great potential. This article challenges these institutions to connect liberal education and civic engagement and argues that this is practicable within current priorities and market forces. Achieving these ends requires understanding increased emphases on research as an institutional priority and learning tool and aligning those emphases with engaged teaching and research.