Building and Strengthening Institution-Community Relationships: Partnership, Purpose, and the Power of Academic Mission

In today’s higher education landscape, institution-community relationships are no longer peripheral expressions of goodwill. They are central to academic relevance, student success, and institutional credibility. Accrediting bodies and evaluators assess not only the quality of education inside classrooms but also how effectively institutions engage, partner with, and contribute to the communities they serve locally, nationally, and globally. Research and practice consistently show that intentional leaders, curricular integration, and a clear connection to institutional mission build partnerships (Boyer, 1996; Kellogg Commission, 2023). By forging these partnerships, colleges and universities demonstrate their commitment to serving the greater good and advancing their institutional mission.