Small Town Colleges offer Perspective when Considering the Future of Higher Ed

Joshua Kim's offers several reasons for serving at a small college in a smaller town in his interesting post, "Small Town College Life and the Future of Higher Ed."  His article was posted on October 31, 2016 by Inside Higher Ed.

Kim initially writes that small colleges force diverse collaborations.  He follows by noting that a rural academic life requires cross-institutional collaborations and then concludes with reflections on liberal arts colleges and the future of higher education.

A couple of questions close out the post.  Kim's last question is probably the easiest for me to answer.  I have fallen in love with small town college life and just concluded a satisfying career in higher education that spanned both public and private liberal arts colleges in small towns.   I have also seen many colleagues who discovered opportunities where they can have an impact through their service, experiences where personal and professional rewards derive from active participation in life on campus or in the broader community.

I have, however, developed a more nuanced view of the last question.  While I have answered affirmatively and have even argued enthusiastically that small college towns are the best places to think big thoughts about the future of higher education,  I would now argue that small college towns are one place to think big thoughts...just not the only places.  

Small institutions in larger urban settings also offer fascinating opportunities where individuals can successfully collaborate to address challenges facing higher education or the broader society.  The College of St. Mary in Omaha is one example of a small institution in an urban area that identified a serious need then set out creatively and collaboratively to make a difference...faculty and staff  serving single mothers will serve as a model for many other institutions.

Paul Quinn College in Dallas is another example of a small institution creatively serving students and the urban neighborhoods that surround the campus.  And, there are many other examples of faculty and staff thinking big thoughts at small colleges in urban settings.