Economic and Community Development

As North Carolina’s economy transforms and faces increased global competition, North Carolinians are turning to their higher education institutions for support and solutions. In turn, colleges and universities are acknowledging their larger roles as stewards of the public welfare and embracing community engagement and economic development as part of their core mission.

Higher education institutions may leverage their intellectual resources to meet the needs of that state’s communities in many different ways. However, the Working Group identified three priorities that are critical to redefining the role of higher education in economic and community development:

Stronger engagement in the larger community;

Targeting technical skills education to meet the workforce needs of employers; and

The development of students’ soft skills that are essential to workplace success in the new economy.