Established in 1956, the Center for Studies in Higher Education (CSHE) is the first research institute in the United States devoted to the study of higher education. The Center’s mission is to produce and support multi-disciplinary scholarly perspectives on strategic issues in higher education, conduct policy relevant research, promote the development of a community of scholars and policymakers engaged in policy oriented discussion, and continue the Center’s public service role as a resource on higher education. CSHE brings to this discussion several distinct perspectives:

  • A national and international and comparative focus
  • A focus on higher education policy issues unique to California and its different tiers of education
  • A focus on the specific strategic issues important to the University of California

Center activities include research projects, seminars and conferences, and a visiting scholars program. The Center publications include the Research and Occasional Papers Series (ROPS), Center reports, and articles and books by CSHE affiliated researchers.  The Center is the home of a number of special programs, including the Student Experience in the Research University Consortium, the Gardner Seminar for graduate students writing dissertations on higher education, the Clark Kerr Lectures on the Role of Higher Education in Society, and the CSHE Executive Leadership Academy.

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