Interview Essay

What is the mission of higher education institutions? Is it to educate ‘citizens’ or to educate ‘technicians’? (Wilhite and Silver, 2005) The arguments over the mission of higher education institution have been going on since a long time ago. Hendrickson et al, 2013 agreed that the existence of higher education institution should be in the best interest of public good.

“The idea that institutions of higher learning should exist for the betterment of society and the promotion of democratic ideals is as old as the founding nation. It can be argued that the oldest college in the United States, Harvard, was founded to promote the advancement of societal goals.”

The previous two interviews have given me a closer look at higher education’s environment,

I started the interview by quoting the textbook; “higher education should exist for the betterment of society and the promotion of democratic ideals” (Hendrickson, et al, p.179), and then I asked her how her university serves to make a better society. She explained that as a Morrill Act grant university, it was clear from the beginning that the purpose of Hidden Jewel University’s existence was to promote agriculture, home economics, mechanical arts, and other professions that were practical at the time. The practical knowledge gained from the university’s research department, then used by the farmers to increase their land productivity. 143 years later, this institution still upholds its community engagement. Hidden Jewel University vision directly stated that it encourages the integration of student engagement, scholarship and research, and innovation that collectively transforms lives and inspires leadership for a global society. It is not an easy job to keep

Based on our discussion, Hidden Jewel University operates a wide range of community engagement programs to produce a human capital development that will serve the public good within the community. In the 2013 fiscal year, the university spent more than $685,000,000 for its operational cost. It has 10 colleges and these Colleges also accommodate more than 66 research and outreach centers that provide valuable and timely services to various stakeholders in the public and private sectors. She agreed with the idea that Ideally it will be better to have scholarship opportunities emphasized on civic engagement. In the beginning, the community has given the university a breakthrough to be part of the community, and now it is time for the university to give back to the community. One thing that she admires from public education in America is that it starts teaching civic engagement since the early