Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon developed the concept of the “world grant ideal”, which represents an affirmation of the Morrill Act of 1862 in the context of a global society. The world grant ideal is grounded in three core values: quality, inclusiveness, and connectivity. In this essay, the authors describe the core features of a world grant ideal, provide examples of how Michigan State University has applied the three core values, and draw attention to critical organizational alignments that must occur in order to support fully engaged higher education institutions.
Fitzgerald, H. E., & Simon, L. K. (2012). The world grant ideal and engagement scholarship. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 16(3), 33-55. Full Text.