Higher Education Shapes Chicago

I wanted to make certain to spend a few minutes and tell you how grateful we are that you are here today.  All of us at Loyola are delighted to host this group on our campus today, and even more thrilled that our university is engaged with yours in this important partnership to investigate and shape the economic, educational and cultural impact of Chicago's higher education systems on the city, the region and the nation.

Chicago is a remarkable city, built by waves of immigrants and extremely fortunate to host a remarkable array of institutions of higher learning and research. In the late 1800s, as Chicago’s population burgeoned, civic leaders and philanthropists came together to establish cultural and educational institutions that continue to shape the city today.

Chicago’s universities have educated generations of the city’s young people and adult learners, helping them climb the rungs of social and economic mobility. 

Research from Chicago’s colleges and universities has shaped medicine, economics, business, government, public policy and the arts and humanities. Our colleges and universities are an international magnet, attracting talented students and faculty to Chicago from around the world. They continue to shape our economy and culture in important ways. Our multifaceted partnerships with public and private schools and social agencies helps lift up individuals and communities throughout the region on a daily basis strengthening the very fabric of our neighborhoods.  But there is so much more for us to do together..

Chicago can boast that one in four of residents with a college degree received that degree from an AUC member school; one out of every 15 jobs in Chicago is at an AUC member institution. Last year our institutions spent $13.8 billion in operations; our student spent $3.2 billion out-of-pocket.

That is why America’s Urban Campus is such a critical collaboration. Working together, our 22 schools can best gather the data and metrics to tell the story of the economic and social impact in our neighborhoods. Together we can better grow the research and development, social entrepreneurship and technology start-ups that are coming out of Chicago’s universities.

At a time when the value proposition of higher education is questioned by some in public and political discourse, this collaboration is particularly valuable in framing the case for higher education and its impact, and in helping assure that our people and programs continue to transform individuals and communities while advancing innovation and the greater good. The aggregate data and interpretations you are generating is of immense value.

As we demonstrate our role as an economic driver, we can think about the responsibilities that comes with this impact. How can we best serve the city that is our home too? We can think about ways to continue to address poverty, racism, and violence. We have the right people in place to study the issues, recommend the interventions and drive the actions that will change lives and improve the quality of life in the City of Chicago.

We can frame the conversation in terms that are not traditional or transactional but instead focus as well on place-based engagement. Our roots in the city are deep. We educate children though our k-12 partnerships, we train the workforce that by-and-large stays in Chicago after graduation, and we create the jobs on which the City depends. 

I hope and trust that your meetings today have been productive. I am looking forward to reading this year’s AUC economic and social impact report to learn more about the good work going on every day, in every corner of our city, made possible by our colleges and universities. Yet, there is so much more that we can and must do together. Like all of you, this inspires us here at Loyola and motivates us to always do more, and to do it better.

I know you take away some of that inspired energy as well. Please keep up this valuable work. Thank you again.