HECUA's First 50 Years

Abstract

The Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA) sought to deepen its understanding of the organization’s founding and history in celebration of its 50th anniversary. This report summarizes a research project undertaken to fill in the gaps in the organization’s history. Research activities included conducting interviews with alumni, program directors, and community partners, review of organizational documents, and review of archival materials. Analysis of these materials revealed “throughlines” from HECUA’s founding to the present day that center on social action driven by a sense of moral urgency and an emphasis on humanity and empathy. The report includes recommendations for further research and evaluation work.