Institutions increasingly face challenges of perception about the impact of higher education on society, says CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham.

Cunningham moderated Claiming Our Story: The Imperative for Higher Education, a panel discussion featuring higher education leaders on March 9 in Washington, D.C. The discussion was a crucial first step in addressing the many criticisms of the higher education sector, Cunningham said.

"The research, knowledge and leadership that comes from our colleges and universities has created whole new industries, increased productivity, improved our day to day experience, saved lives in our physicians' offices and hospitals, and given us new insights into our lives and those of our neighbors," said Cunningham. "What is important is that this is a conversation for those engaged in advancing the good work of our universities and colleges. At the same time, it is vital that this conversation goes far beyond our own community."

The panel included American University President Sylvia Burwell; New York University President Andrew Hamilton; American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell; and Washington Post education finance reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel.

Discussion topics ranged from the political climate, confusion about endowments, how to appeal to higher education skeptics and the negative attitudes and misperceptions about higher education.

Nearly 100 advancement, alumni relations and communications professionals were in attendance at American University in Washington, D.C., and well over 1,000 watched the live event streaming online.

"The takeaways for me were that this is just not a U.S. story. It's happening in a lot of different countries including the U.K., [Institutions are examining] the idea of lifelong learning and restructuring that," says Alison Corbett, head of U.S.A. education programmes with the British Council. "I'm still hopeful about higher education. Yes, it is under attack in some ways but the universities are willing to have that conversation about it and address the criticism."

CASE members and their institutions are encouraged to continue to the conversation by:

• Joining the ongoing conversation by tweeting with #withhighered.
• Reviewing the session recording online with your colleagues.
• Continuing to engage your colleagues with discussions about your institution.
• Signing up for updates from CASE about the value of higher education.