Editors' Introduction

Abstract

The rapid pace of change under way in America's colleges and universities has sparked a wide-ranging and often heated public debate about the social role and responsibilities of higher education in American society. From small, private liberal arts colleges in economically distressed urban areas to state-supported land-grant and research institutions, schools nationwide are taking these challenges head-on often with government, corporate, or foundation collaboration and support. Yet, the national debte has too often overlooked and thus not benefited from the proactive and innovative ways that a growing number of colleges and universities are responding to these challenges. This article reviews the broad social, economic, and political trends that are reshaping higher education and introduces the two-issue series of American Behavioral Scientist dedicated to analyzing a cross-section of these innovative institutional and pedagogical endeavors and considering their potential for reorienting the traditional teaching, research, and service missions of colleges and universities.