Institutions of higher education can play a transformative role in the economic sustainability of the regions that they call home, yet the reality of the economic development potential of an institution often doesn’t effectively translate into regional prosperity. Colleges and universities need to take the economic realities of their hometowns seriously and position themselves to create thriving ecosystems based on legacy industries and the emerging technologies that will define how those industries transition into viable 21st-century operations.
Reciprocity over Hierarchy: Designing and Implementing a Student-Led Reverse Mentoring Program
Many academic leaders, including administrators and faculty members, participate in traditional mentoring programs that prioritize hierarchy. But these programs typically don’t foster engagement and connection between students and faculty or
Marquita Lyons-Smith and Keva Suitte
October 19, 2026
