New initiative explores how workforce development advances the anchor mission, building on CUMU’s growing portfolio of anchor programming

The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) has launched the Anchor Task Force on Workforce Development, an initiative led by campus and community leaders that will produce a public-facing report examining how urban and metropolitan universities leverage their workforce development efforts — aligning postsecondary pathways, employer partnerships and community engagement strategies — to strengthen communities. The report is expected for publication in October 2026.

The task force is chaired by Dr. Jennifer Johnson Kebea, president of Campus Philly and CUMU’s 2026 Fellow, and includes leaders from eight member institutions: Case Western Reserve University, Dallas College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Indiana University Indianapolis, Rutgers University–Camden, Towson University, University of Missouri–St. Louis and the University of Pennsylvania.

The task force is the newest element of CUMU’s Anchor Mission Initiative, which launched in 2018 to support member institutions in applying their economic power and human capital in long-term partnership with their local communities. This year, all of CUMU’s anchor mission programming is united by a shared theme: Strengthening the Workforce. The initiative encompasses a growing suite of programs:

  • The Anchor Learning Network supports member campuses in exploring anchor mission strategies through virtual sessions focused on learning, skill-building and peer exchange.
  • The Anchor Learning Network Accelerator offers a more intensive, team-based cohort experience for campuses building a shared vision of anchor mission work.
  • The Anchor Action Summit (June 2–3) is a national virtual convening open to leaders from higher education, community-based organizations and local government. This year’s focus explores how campuses can align postsecondary pathways, employer partnerships and community engagement strategies to support opportunity and prosperity.
  • The Anchor Book Club invites administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community partners to read and discuss books focused on higher education’s anchor role, with current selections including Hacking College by Ned Scott Laff and Scott Carlson, and The Caring University by Kevin R. McClure.