Democracy in America:  Educating Citizens Equitably

This track envisions Public Good U as a foundation for democracy, platform for civic engagement, and seedbed for human health and flourishing.  We invite explorations of historical patterns or case studies on such topics as the origins, purposes, and development of public higher ed (in the United States or in comparison to other democracies or polities); public higher ed’s contributions to democratic participation/legitimation (free speech) and democratic expertise/competence (academic freedom), and negotiation of tensions between them; the design and function of general education in public higher ed and the contributions of different disciplines to the formation of an engaged citizenry; the possibilities and challenges of seamless transfer and other attempts to spark systemic and institutional change by addressing access/equity/inclusion/belonging for students of the 21st century; and how debates over American identity, shifts in the boundaries of U.S. citizenship, electoral activities and results, changes in public policy, and/or judicial decisions affect, and prompt responses from, public higher ed.

The New College-Educated Workforce

This track envisions Public Good U as a pathway to the middle class and beyond, engine of economic development, and seedbed for human health and flourishing.  We invite explorations of historical patterns or case studies on such topics as the origins, purposes, and development of public higher ed (in the United States or in comparison to other capitalist or other economies); the design, mix, and potential relevance or utility of certificates, micro-credentials, and undergraduate and graduate degree programs; the assessment of prior learning of entering students and job/career readiness of graduating students; debates over neoliberal and other market models, and alternatives; and attempts to address the challenge of preparing current students for future technologies, new sectors and industries, and unknown economic conditions over the course of their working lives.

Research for the Public Good:  Creativity, Innovation, and Impact for the 21st Century

This track envisions Public Good U as a generator of creativity and innovation, engine of economic development, catalyst for sustainable communities and ecosystems, and seedbed for human health and flourishing.  Advancing and sharing knowledge are the heart and central mission of public universities.  Academics and their students make discoveries that radically improve the health, well-being, and sustainability of their communities and ecosystems.  They expand knowledge, appreciation, and analysis of the creative works of human imagination and thought throughout human cultures.  In so doing, they address local and global challenges to advance humanity on the path leading to thriving citizens, businesses, and societies.  We invite explorations of historical patterns or case studies on such topics as the funding of basic and applied research across academic disciplines; the growth of public-private partnerships and the commercialization of university research; attempts to coordinate state and federal research priorities and leverage the strengths of public higher ed systems; and the impacts of specific public higher ed discoveries.

Reimagining Town/Gown Relations:  Community Building, Civic Engagement, and Economic Development

This track envisions Public Good U as an anchor of community, engine of economic development, platform for civic engagement, magnet for population growth, catalyst for sustainable communities and ecosystems, and seedbed for human health and flourishing.  We invite explorations of historical patterns or case studies on such topics as public higher ed’s contributions to the development of economic, cultural, civic, and other local or regional capacities; attempts to resolve conflicts over public higher ed’s place and function within a community or differential impacts on community groups and neighborhoods; and the possibilities, impacts, and challenges of applied learning.

Perennial Issues in Urban Public Higher Education:  Lessons From the Past, Tools for the Future

What Should the State Provide?  New Public Good U Foundations and Funding Models

Where most other tracks primarily focus on outcomes and outputs, this track examines inputs and investments in, and conditions of possibility for, Public Good U.  We invite explorations of historical patterns or case studies on such topics as the proper balance between public and private funding of teaching and/or research in public higher ed (including national and global comparisons); patterns and impacts of direct state aid and indirect federal and state financial aid; patterns and impacts of differential investments in research and curricular areas; critical analyses of metrics used to assess public higher ed and drive public and private investment; how public higher ed can move the needle on college affordability and student debt; ongoing efforts to establish, defend, and advance academic freedom; and attempts to spark institutional change by addressing access/equity/inclusion/belonging for students of the 21st century.