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The 21st Century: The Century of the American Research University

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Abstract

Higher education in America has experienced periodic “inflection points” that have served to significantly alter the higher education landscape and dramatically change the focus and actions of the American research university community. We are on the leading edge of a new inflection point that could be—despite prevailing economic challenges—an opportunity for higher education to meet and address some of the great challenges facing our nation, such as economic competitiveness, health care and health care delivery, and environmental sustainability. These are challenges higher education is, in fact, uniquely suited to address.

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Correspondence to William E. “Brit” Kirwan.

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William E. “Brit” Kirwan

received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Kentucky and his master’s and doctoral degrees in mathematics from Rutgers. He has served as President of the University of Maryland, College Park, and the Ohio State University. He is currently Chancellor of the University System of Maryland.

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Kirwan, W.E.“. The 21st Century: The Century of the American Research University. Innov High Educ 35, 101–111 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-009-9132-1

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