I have repeatedly said that if a regional university neglects its locale, it will serve nowhere well.
A university’s legitimacy depends on where it is located, whom it serves and the moral educational purpose of shaping free, responsible, grounded citizens. Remove any one of these—ignore place, abstract the people, prioritize reputation over mission—and a drift begins. In an era obsessed with rankings, branding and global ambitions, regional universities face a dangerous temptation: imitate the elites, stretch themselves too thin and chase prestige over mission. Prioritizing local purpose is not parochial; it is principled.
A mission begins with understanding context. Regional universities are often located in areas with limited population and resources, according to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Still, hope remains crucial for shaping education, the economy and community life. The geographic context influences a regional institution’s identity. Flagship universities rightly aim for national and global recognition. But the strength of regional universities lies in service to place and people, not size. When a university tries to expand beyond its local roots instead of supporting them, it fails, no matter how ambitious it is. A university that denies its identity, shaped by its location, will eventually disappear.
Public trust is built at home. Regional universities are guardians of public trust supported by taxpayers, families and local industries. Half of America’s public-school teachers graduate from these institutions, and many states’ top nursing programs are located there. When regional universities serve their communities well, positive outcomes occur: talent stays local, businesses have leaders familiar with the place, local schools are strengthened and civic life flourishes. Universities that fail to support their communities weaken the worth of their credentials.
Economic development begins on main street. Economic vitality relies on relationships. Places offer industry, but people contribute ingenuity. All universities influence the economy, according to the Office of the University Economist at Arizona State University. For regional institutions, this influence is immediate and personal. Education benefits both individuals and the public. Graduates earn higher incomes and have better opportunities. Communities gain from home-grown leadership, innovation and stability.
A study by EMSI showed that West Texas A&M University adds nearly $750 billion each year to the Panhandle economy through payroll, student spending and visitors to our community. Regional growth doesn’t always come from billion-dollar subsidies. It grows through small-business partnerships, workforce alignment, internships, and applied research and innovation in agriculture, healthcare, and energy, all the result of entrepreneurial grit. Thomas Friedman’s “flat world” thesis contains enough truth to intrigue, and enough errors to mislead. Regions matter. Culture matters. A university that ignores geography also ignores culture. That is not sophistication; it’s nihilism.
Regional universities are the backbone of access, according to Higher Ed Dive. They serve first-generation students, working adults, veterans, transfer students, rural families and moderate-income households. Today’s students need flexibility and affordability, including options such as living at home to reduce costs, community college partnerships, seamless transfer pathways and alternative class schedules with online courses. Debt-free graduates are liberated graduates. Regional excellence is not about marble facades or resort-style dining halls; it’s about delivering opportunity one student at a time.
Regional values reinforce civic health. The Third Way reports that as decision-making shifts away from local centers, regional institutions serve as anchors for civic life. They educate informed citizens, create spaces for dialogue and connect ideas to real-life experiences. Alexis de Tocqueville noted in Democracy in America that citizens exert the most influence locally. The same is true in higher education. The principle of subsidiarity claims decisions should be made as close as possible to the people affected—individuals, families and communities. The closest decisions tend to be the wisest.
Local first does not mean local only. Serving locally first does not limit reach; it amplifies it. WT’s long-term plan is unapologetically titled, “WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.” When a university is highly impactful in its current location, its influence expands. When it tries to matter everywhere at once, it often ends up influencing nowhere in particular.
Regional universities must redefine excellence according to UNIRANKS, not in imitation of elites but by being faithful to their mission through programs aligned with regional industries, applied research addressing local problems, partnerships with schools and community colleges, collaboration with small businesses and cultural enrichment that strengthens families and communities. Institutional pride should be outward-facing: pride in place, pride in service and pride in contribution. Relevance before reputation is the real strength of regional universities. The best regional universities do not try to be everywhere; they aim to be deeply impactful where they are. It means growing where planted and listening before lecturing. Serve before seeking applause, and that is the goal of the most effective regional universities.
Walter V. Wendler is President of West Texas A&M University. His weekly columns are available at https://walterwTop of Formendler.com.
