Paul Pribbenow was one of 15 college and university presidents interviewed for a recent research report by the TIAA Institute on how universities serve society in turbulent times.
The study explored what universities are “good for” and “good at,” while also taking into account environmental, social, and governance considerations and institutional responses to the changing political and economic landscape. Participating institutions reported doubling down on their missions while facing significant challenges, including financial pressures, demographic shifts, and anti-higher education messaging trends.
Presidents emphasized the critical roles of higher education in strengthening democracy, enabling social mobility, and serving as anchor institutions in their communities. The study highlighted the ways universities serve as modern public squares vital to democracy, providing spaces for civic engagement and democratic discourse, and how mission-centered leadership provides stability during turbulent times.
Read more from the TIAA Institute or download the report: “Mission critical: Presidents’ perspectives on how universities serve society in turbulent times”