The Power of Place-Based Legacies in Advancing Reengagement with Community

Authors

  • Ken Iwama College of Staten Island, The City University of New York
  • William J. Fritz College of Staten Island, The City University of New York

Keywords:

anchor institution, borough stewardship, institutional identity

Abstract

The degree to which urban and metropolitan colleges and universities can have a positive impact on their respective communities is heavily influenced by the nature and extent of their connectedness to, and alignment with, civic need. Drawn from the experiences and outcomes of the College of Staten Island’s Legacy Trilogy initiative, a comprehensive educational and community engagement campaign exploring and leveraging the college’s Legacy of Institution, Legacy of Place, and Legacy of Mission, this article proposes that higher education institutions can increase connectedness and alignment with their surrounding metropolises by embracing their deep and intricate social and economic place-based histories. Engaging with legacy in this uniquely personal and purposeful way can not only give more meaningful shape and added dimension to institutional identity, it can also empower colleges and universities to become more impactful to the communities they serve.

Author Biographies

Ken Iwama, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York

Ken Iwama is the Vice President for Economic Development, Continuing Studies, and Government Relations the College of Staten Island, The City University of New York. He is one of the few individuals who has served in senior executive positions in one the largest public urban university systems in the nation, as well as one of the larger urban school districts in the New York metropolitan area.

William J. Fritz, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York

William J. Fritz is the seventh president of the College of Staten Island, The City University of New York and its predecessor institutions Staten Island Community College and Richmond College. He is also an internationally known field geologist and has published more than 50 articles and guidebooks on sedimentation around modern and ancient explosive volcanoes, as well as on sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleobotany, and storm surges.

References

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Published

2019-12-06

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 4 (2019): The Future of Urban and Metropolitan Universities

Section

Research Articles