There will be one essay of approximately 1,250 words (about 5 pages of double-spaced text). Each section of the paper should be at least 1-page in length. The paper must include a minimum of 5 references and should include a bibliography at the end. Course paper guidelines have a full rubric and expectations for the paper.

Paper Instructions：

Congratulations, you’ve been inaugurated as President of Northedge University (pseudonym)! The Board of Trustees has asked you write a paper that describes the current state of higher education and how you will lead Northedge toward a bright and promising future. The paper should include the following sections and information:

•Introduction and Mission Statement

This section should describe the purpose, values, and strengths of Northedge University in a formal institutional mission statement (Tip: You can find many examples of actual institutional mission statements by a quick Google Search). This section should also respond to the following questions: What type of institution is Northedge? In what type of setting is it located (e.g. urban, rural)? For what is Northedge known? Who does Northedge serve? What is the student profile of Northedge (e.g. How many students are enrolled? What are the demographics of its students?).

•Access & Equity

This section should describe Northedge’s commitment to access and equity in higher education. This section should include how the university defines “access and equity” and address special programs or institutional initiatives that are designed to support access and equity in higher education. This section should address the following: how does Northedge seek out potential student and evaluate applicants for admission?

•Affordability

This section should describe Northedge’s commitment to the affordability of higher education. Describe the current state of higher education as it relates to affordability. This section should also respond to the following questions: What steps are Northedge taking to ensure the affordability of its education? What is the cost-benefit of enrolling at Northedge?

•Learning Inside and Outside the Classroom

This section should describe the type of learning experiences students enrolled at Northedge receive. This section should describe at least two specific learning experiences. This section should also respond to the following questions: What type of learning opportunities are provided to Northedge students (e.g. service learning, study abroad, faculty mentorship, research opportunities, extracurricular/student organization participation and leadership?) Describe these opportunities and how they contribute to student learning and preparation for career outcomes.

•Societal Impact

This section should describe the benefits Northedge generates for society and its graduates. For example, how does society benefit from Northedge and the outcomes it produces? What impact have alumni made in the world? Tip: Visit temple.edu/impact for examples and ideas.

More information is included in the uploaded files.