Great Lakes Colleges Association

Great Lakes Colleges Association. Founded in 1962, it is a consortium of thirteen independent, private liberal arts colleges located in the Midwestern United States. The consortium facilitates academic collaboration, shared resources, and innovative programming among its member institutions to enhance the educational experience. Its activities encompass study away programs, faculty development, and collective advocacy for the value of a liberal arts education.

History

The consortium was established in 1962 through the collaborative efforts of several college presidents seeking to strengthen the position of liberal arts institutions. Its founding was influenced by the broader expansion of higher education in the post-World War II era and a desire to foster inter-institutional cooperation. Early initiatives focused on faculty exchanges and library resource sharing. A significant early achievement was the creation of the Philadelphia Center in 1967, an urban study program that became a model for experiential learning. Over the decades, it expanded its portfolio to include international programs, most notably establishing the Japan Study program in partnership with Waseda University in Tokyo. The organization has continuously adapted to changing educational landscapes, supporting initiatives in global education, digital humanities, and community engagement.

Member institutions

The thirteen member colleges are all private, residential institutions with a strong emphasis on undergraduate liberal arts education. The members are: Albion College in Michigan; Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio; Denison University in Granville, Ohio; DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana; Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana; Hope College in Holland, Michigan; Kalamazoo College in Michigan; Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio; Oberlin College in Ohio; Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio; The College of Wooster in Ohio; Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana; and Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. These institutions are characterized by selective admissions, low student-to-faculty ratios, and a historic commitment to the liberal arts tradition.

Programs and initiatives

The consortium administers a wide array of academic programs designed to complement campus curricula. Its flagship offerings include the Great Lakes Colleges Association New York Arts Program, which provides internships in the arts in New York City, and the Philadelphia Center, focusing on urban studies and professional internships. Global study programs are central, featuring Japan Study at Waseda University, along with programs in China, India, and Senegal. The Global Course Connections initiative uses technology to link classrooms across member colleges with international partner universities for shared learning. Other key initiatives include the Global Liberal Arts Alliance, a worldwide network of institutions, and the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program, which trains faculty in pedagogical methods.

Governance and organization

The consortium is governed by a Board of Directors composed of the presidents of each member institution, which sets strategic direction and policy. Day-to-day operations are managed by a professional staff headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, led by the President. Key administrative committees, often comprising faculty and administrators from member colleges, oversee specific program areas such as global education, faculty development, and library collaboration. Major decisions, including the approval of new initiatives or changes to membership, are made collectively by the board. The organizational structure is designed to be collaborative, ensuring that programs directly support the academic missions of the member colleges.

Affiliations and partnerships

The consortium maintains extensive affiliations to broaden its reach and impact. It is a founding member of the Global Liberal Arts Alliance, a partnership with liberal arts institutions worldwide, including the American University of Beirut and Ashesi University in Ghana. It collaborates with the Library of Congress on educational projects and with the Council of Independent Colleges on advocacy efforts. Program-specific partnerships include those with Waseda University for Japan Study, the University of Hyderabad in India, and CIEE for certain study abroad opportunities. These relationships enable shared research, student mobility, and faculty exchanges that extend the consortium's influence beyond its core membership.