The Case for Building Trust Locally

Higher education is facing a tide of criticism as more people question the value of a college degree. Experts say institutions hoping to improve public perception would be wise to start locally.

Here’s why: Colleges that invest in community education programs reap myriad benefits, including diverse revenue streams, deep fund-raising relationships, reliable enrollment pipelines, and stronger ties to local organizations.

Educating in Your Community, a report from The Chronicle, explores how colleges are achieving these goals by focusing their efforts closer to home.

With this report, you’ll learn about the strategies these diverse programs have in common and the advantages institutions gain when piloting programs that bring education off campus. With these insights, you’ll be equipped to serve your community better and enjoy the rewards of doing so.

Readers of this report will:

• Learn how community-education programs can demonstrate higher education's value beyond its reach of traditional students.

• Know what pitfalls to avoid in building intentional and trusting relationships with their community.

• Explore how successful programs have taken hands-on approaches to evaluating community needs.