Healing the Soul of ⁢Our Nation: The ​Role of⁤ Higher Education

The ‍Republican and‍ Democratic platforms show a nation in crisis. If we are a broken union, what institutions are best suited to bring​ about national‍ healing?

We⁢ can ‌quickly dismiss government as a candidate for this task. The ⁣overwhelming majority of ⁣Americans do not believe that ‍government is up to the task. In 1958, 73 percent of Americans believed that‌ government “does the right thing most of the time or ‍almost always.” ​Today, only 22% ⁤of Americans report this‍ level of ⁢trust.

What ⁣about our universities? What role do⁢ they play in our nation’s healing,​ and⁤ how much do Americans trust these institutions?

When it comes to‍ trust, ⁣research ⁣suggests American higher education is at a ‍crossroads. For the first time, Americans are divided on whether they have⁢ a lot, some, little, or no trust in colleges and universities. To make matters worse, Gallup reports that 68 percent of Americans “do not ‍believe that⁤ higher⁤ education⁢ is on a positive⁢ path,” according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, a leading trade publication in the field.

American colleges⁤ and universities have always‌ played a vital role in the moral formation of students and in the formation of our national character. As historian Julie A. ​Reuben has ⁤said,‍ “universities⁢ have never abandoned their traditional⁣ moral goals.” Reuben argues that‌ educators “believe that⁤ colleges⁤ should prepare students to live‌ ‘properly’​ and contribute to the ‍betterment of society.” The missions of our colleges ⁣and universities are full of the moral goals ​they claim to pursue,⁢ and our students pay millions of ⁣dollars for them.

Americans recognize the moral‌ role of ⁣higher education. Americans ⁣who register their belief or distrust in higher education ⁣share the belief that it ​should be deeply moral and influential. Their differences in‍ trust⁢ are rooted in the way they think colleges and universities (mis)use​ their moral mission and social influence. And David Brooks claimed that one‌ of⁣ the factors contributing​ to the collapse of the United States is the failure of American higher education‌ to pursue the⁤ intentional moral education of its students.

So⁢ what should we do? Perhaps we ⁣should heed the twin cries of ​Americans: the need for moral character and the need for market readiness.

First, Americans place a⁤ deep value on moral character for​ success in life. Pew​ reported a 2011 study, “Is College Worth It?” found ‍that Americans “value character more than higher education” for success ‍in life. Just last⁣ year, ‌Ipsos established that​ nearly 80 percent of Americans believe that “it is important to have strong values ​​and character,” and 71 percent agree ⁣that “there is not enough focus on values ​​and character traits in American society today.”

Americans too⁢ care deeply about higher education focusing on preparing⁢ students ⁣for the job ‍market. Employers and employees have expressed this concern, criticizing the ‌lack of preparation for college graduates. Recent surveys have shown that nearly 60 percent of managers⁤ said⁣ they‌ were “not⁢ preparing recent college graduates for the⁤ workplace.” Employees too‍ have stressed that “colleges ⁤are failing ⁤to⁤ prepare them for today’s jobs.”

Colleges​ and universities in the United States cannot ignore these ​concerns. Educational‌ models must be developed to integrate students’ holistic moral​ formation and strategic preparation for the ⁤future marketplace. As a starting point, this means creating learning outcomes in all courses⁢ and ⁢majors that focus⁢ on ⁣character ⁣formation, moral reasoning, and industry readiness. The ultimate ⁢goal is ⁣to shape students’ minds and desires so that‍ they ‍are happy to ⁣demonstrate⁤ good character​ and‌ good market readiness.

These educational models cannot be purely academic. They must be integrated with out-of-classroom requirements that put into ⁤practice the character and career readiness ⁤outcomes learned in⁣ class.

Mandatory ‍internships, industry partnerships that inform courses and‌ majors, and‌ annual service and leadership learning requirements are all great ‌hands-on opportunities to make this integration happen. This will allow the university to focus on ‌what matters most, thereby enhancing the education students receive.⁢ This approach will also ‍go ​a long way toward strengthening​ our national character. And ⁢if taken ‌seriously, this educational model will help ⁢address the crisis of ‌confidence in American⁣ higher education.

Is this possible? Yes. Is this something that must be done? ⁢This is what is​ needed to heal the soul of our nation. It will require ​bold ‌and creative leadership at all levels of higher ⁣education. Leadership that focuses on developing great human beings for life and work.

This is the original but forgotten ⁣call of higher education. It is time for ​us to listen and act quickly.

Gershon Moreno-Riano is the president of Cornerstone University‍ in Grand Rapids,‌ Michigan.