On and Off Campus: How Universities Strengthen Local Community Ties

Colleges and universities play an important role in shaping the future through educating students and preparing them for the workforce. But that influence doesn’t need to stop at the classroom.

At a time when public trust in higher education is shifting, meaningful community engagement gives institutions a chance to demonstrate their value. A 2023 Gallup survey found that only 36% of Americans report having a “great deal/quite a lot” of confidence in higher education. For institutions looking to regain some of that confidence, building genuine connections within their local communities is an essential step.

When colleges and communities work together, both benefit. Building valuable connection means showing up beyond campus and opening campus doors in return.

Showing Up in Community

Colleges and universities are shaped by the places in which they are located. And they, in turn, can help shape their communities by showing active interest in local needs and projects. One of the most effective ways for colleges and universities to do this is to step off campus and into public spaces. When institutions proactively engage in the community, they strengthen community ties.

Service Projects

Beyond serving as growth opportunities for students, service projects open the door to deeper collaboration. When students, faculty, and staff join community-driven efforts, such as neighborhood cleanups, food banks, children’s literacy, or public health campaigns, they demonstrate a willingness to invest time and energy in the well-being of the people in the community. And when universities regularly work with local organizations, schools, and nonprofits, they establish partnerships that greatly benefit both students and locals.

In addition to physically going out to serve, busy students attending the University of Utah can pick up service project kits to do on their own or with others. Kits include materials for making items that benefit the community, such as cooling kerchiefs for unhoused people, cat and dog toys for nearby animal shelters, and journals for patients at a nearby cancer center.

Internships and Co-ops

Internships and courses that combine classroom learning with real-world experiences are very effective ways to encourage students to engage with the local community. Local organizations benefit from having access to motivated students with fresh perspectives, and universities benefit from allowing students to apply their learning in practical environments. Internships and co-ops enable students to explore real-world issues in an often guided and reflective way, which leads students to produce reports, tools, or ideas that community groups can use going forward.

The Food Systems Minor at UC Berkeley, for example, emphasizes experiential learning through community partnerships called co-ops. Students studying this minor collaborate with local nonprofits to study crop growth, create healthy food plans for school districts, staff booths at farmers’ markets, and more.

Bringing Community In

Community partnerships happen when universities step into neighborhoods and public spaces, and meaningful connection also happens in reverse. By opening campus spaces to local residents and creating accessible opportunities, higher education institutions can become true community hubs—places where people gather, learn, share, and grow. Performances, lectures, festivals, and open houses give people reasons to visit, return, and stay engaged. In this way, universities can become cultural anchors within their communities.

Performances and the Arts

Many universities have arts programs that feature student theater, music ensembles, and dance companies. Opening these performances to the public at low or no cost helps bridge the gap between town and gown.

In smaller towns, university-hosted concerts and productions may be one of the few local opportunities to access professional live performances. In these towns, campus facilities may also be utilized by other local entities to host events, such as middle school performances, a children’s choir, or high school graduations.

Affordable Services

Many campuses provide free or low-cost legal aid clinics, healthcare support, and social services. Offering services on campus benefits both students and community members: students gain real-world experience by applying their skills in practical settings, while locals receive quality support at little to no cost.

The Civil Law Clinic at the University of Alabama School of Law offers free legal services to both students and residents. Guided by faculty, law students handle over 200 civil cases each year, assisting with issues like landlord-tenant disputes, employment concerns, insurance claims, and consumer complaints.

At the University of Maryland Medical Center, its Community Health Education Center (CHEC) provides free health screenings, wellness programs, and educational resources to the public. Walk-in visitors can receive tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and more, as well as participate in classes on nutrition, exercise, and chronic disease prevention.

References

Jones, J. M., 2025. U.S. confidence in Higher Education now closely divided. Gallup.com. https://news.gallup.com/poll/646880/confidence-higher-education-closely-divided.aspx