American Higher Education and the Public Good

Traditionally, American Higher Education has enjoyed the relative luxury of being immune to the consequences of public opinion.  In the past, the American public believed in the basic worth of a college degree, in the research contributions of college intellectuals, and the value of a traditional college experience to prepare its young people for our economy, to contribute to our communities, and to act responsibly in a civil/democratic society.  Recent data and evidence show that public confidence in higher education is changing.  According to recent polls such as one done by New America, less than half of Americans believe that colleges are having a positive effect on the country.  In this talk, I will discuss the impact that this change in public opinion is having on higher education and present possible solutions for consideration.

Lake Forest College offers an MLS (Master of Liberal Studies) degree, which includes eight interdisciplinary courses at the graduate level. Dr. Abt-Perkins will be teaching the spring 2025 evening seminar MLS572, "Higher Education in the U.S.:  Goals and Outcomes, Current Challenges, and Sustainability". For more information, see: https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/master-of-liberal-studies

In her roles at Lake Forest College,  Special Assistant to the Dean of Faculty for Student Success and Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Success, Professor of Education Dr. Dawn Abt-Perkins has been in the center of current issues challenging higher education—investments in changes in technology, belief systems about the value proposition of higher education, and the growing public concern about the increasing costs of the higher education experience. Dawn's recent book project,  Professors Matter, is about the role that professors play in these important conversations about higher education reform.

Host:  Paul Lemieux