ALBION, Mich. — Representatives from nearly 20 colleges, universities and community organizations across four continents will convene here June 6-8 to learn from each other in discussing “The Role of Higher Education in Nurturing Sustainable Communities.” The conference will be hosted by Albion College.

Colleges and universities play important roles in developing both the leaders of tomorrow and the communities in which they are embedded. During this conference, participants will discuss the many ways in which the connection between college and community can grow sustainably and be mutually beneficial, including collaborations for students, staff, faculty and community members.

After three days, conference attendees will return to their home campuses with an increased awareness of successful community sustainability strategies and opportunities to establish future project partnerships. These partnerships may relate to student, faculty or staff mobility and involve teaching, research, community development or other aspects of building sustainable communities through higher education.

The conference will feature two keynote speakers: Dr. Diego Quiroga, rector and vice president of research and international programs at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador; and Dr. Nicole Webster, associate professor of youth and international development and African studies, and director of the Youth Civic Lab, at Penn State University.

Michigan institutions taking part include Alma College and Hope College as well as Albion College. International visitors are scheduled to arrive from Bulgaria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, India, Morocco, Nigeria and Pakistan.

The conference is supported in part by the Great Lakes Colleges Association’s Global Crossroads Grant. The program schedule and other details can be found on the conference website, albion.edu/sustainable-communities.