ABSTRACT
Higher education is central to American life. More than 4,500 colleges and universities enroll over 20 million students each year. Beyond this statistical profile these institutions fulfill missions of teaching, research and service which have transformed “going to college” into an important part of social mobility, economic development and civic fulfillment. Celebration of these achievements also is accompanied by great expectations and critical analysis of the institutions and issues associated with higher education from past to present.
