College as a Pathway to a Meaningful Life and Responsible Citizenship

Posted by Philadelphia Citizen on December 16, 2025

Longtime university president Elaine Maimon reminds us that “career” means a life-path integrating work and meaning in the wider world.

When did we forget the idea that college is intended to help students prepare for both meaningful work and a meaningful life, and, for the most attentive, a chance to integrate the two? Especially in the last few years, I have watched colleges and universities make deep cuts in the arts and humanities (English, philosophy, history, languages), precisely those areas of study where students confront the mysteries of the human condition, definitions of good and evil, the responsibility of citizenship, and the various meanings of love. I’m not suggesting that students must major in the humanities to find guidance in these life-changing explorations. Most college degrees, including engineering, business, and other professional programs — require what are variously called general education courses, sometimes a core curriculum, available to all.

And yet to confront severe budget challenges, many institutional leaders cut the humanities and severely economize on general education. On the national level lately we see many counterproductive proposals and actions. Brown University was compelled to pledge $50 million over 10 years to Rhode Island workforce development organizations. Putting aside the threat this fine makes to Brown’s institutional autonomy, I would have felt better if the $50 million had been directed to Rhode Island community colleges, where students could learn vocations while also having opportunities to take humanities courses.

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