| Universities are facing educational and economic growth, challenges, and opportunities at an increasing rate. This qualitative study to examines the public purpose of higher education as an industry and how the vision of its leaders have an impact on the role it will play in the 21 st century. There is a need for deeper discovery of the broadly defined mission of higher education as defined in the areas of teaching, research and public service.; The voice of current prominent presidents and their vision for higher education can define and redefine higher education and its mission as it progresses through the 21st century. It is a vision for their institution that keeps their institutions strategic, influential, progressive, and moves higher education forward as a dynamic industry. Contemporary presidents with a clear direction for higher education can compel it to embrace the challenges and trends that will be faced in the 21st century just as the great presidents who led universities in the 19th and 20 th centuries. It is necessary for institutions to be able to address these challenges to find their competitive advantage.; Higher education is the doorway to success for life in the 21 st century, and it is the responsibility of higher education to make sure that those doors are open for everyone who is qualified to go through them. The role of higher education, in a knowledge-driven economy is crucial to innovation and growth and the ability to provide access to cutting edge knowledge and remain the moral compass for society. As stated by the 11 presidents from top tier research institutions, the overall mission of higher education remains constant, but individual visions of institutions must constantly change and grow to meet the needs of society on a local, national, and global level. It is the responsibility of these presidents to face the challenges and complex tasks that are involved in achieving the goals of higher education and in order to remain the world's greatest system of higher education. |
