Power Elites or Community Organizers? Trustee Ties to Local Communities

• In Event: Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Philosophy and the Future of Higher Education

Abstract

Public research universities have a unique role in creating educational and economic opportunities within the communities they are situated. This multi-site case study examines the ways in which trustees engage with communities through their involvement with the university. We focus on trustee activities that align with the mutual benefit and reciprocity goals of community engagement. Our findings suggest that trustees are primarily linked to the community through their civic leadership roles, collaborative partnerships, ties to nonprofits and other organizations, and financial support of engagement activities. We conclude that given their powerful positions and corporate interests, trustees do influence university-community relationships, but that there are multiple pathways for trustees to pursue community engagement.

Authors

• Neoma Mullens, University of Georgia

• Barrett Taylor, University of North Texas