Public Liberal Arts Colleges: Enrollment and the Public Good

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM East Coast USA Time

Location: Judiciary Square - Level M3

Primary Presenter(s)

Jeanine Went

Executive Director
Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, United States

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Co-Presenter(s)

Noah Coburn

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
The Evergreen State College, United States
Jordan Cofer

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
University of Minnesota Morris
Morris,, Minnesota, United States
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Heather Evans

John Morton Beaty Endowed Chair in Political Science
The University of Virginia's College at Wise, United States
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Trevor Speller

Vice Provost, Academic Budget and Operations
The Evergreen State College, United States

Public liberal arts colleges are guided by the principle that access to a high-quality liberal arts education should be available to all, particularly within public higher education systems, thus making it a public good. Growing skepticism about the value of higher education and changing policy landscapes pose challenges to this mission. This session will highlight innovative strategies Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) institutions are using to stay true to their liberal arts foundations by being engines of equity, civic engagement, and lifelong learning. Examples from The Evergreen State College, University of Minnesota Morris, and the University of Virginia's College at Wise include expanding access through professional and continuing education, building meaningful community and tribal partnerships, and developing inclusive programming to meet student needs. These approaches illustrate ways to redefine the value of higher education for the public good. Participants will have the opportunity to consider how their own institutions can adapt, collaborate, and advocate for a stronger liberal arts future.