Introduction to the Contemporary Context

Abstract

The relationships between higher education and society are changing in the twenty-first century. Changes are taking place in terms of who pays for college, who gains access to college, and the universities’ role in the global marketplace. For example, there have been decreases in public support for higher education (KRC Consulting, 2002; McMahon, 2009; Porter, 2002) and in state funding for public colleges and universities (Brandl & Holdsworth, 2003; Cage, 1991; Hansen, 2004), at a time when state and federal policies have linked higher education to the market in order to create jobs and increase economic viability (Bok, 2003; Jafee, 2000; Slaughter & Rhoades, 1996, 2004).