Handbook of Theory and Practice of SustainableDevelopment in Higher Education, World Sustainability Series

Abstract

Institutions are a primary vehicle for realizing sustainable development and sustainability. As part of scaling sustainability, resilience should be an institutional goal for any institution that is connected within various systems of support. For institutions of higher education, where there is an increased emphasis on sustainability, it is vital to consider the role of resilience as a foundational element of sustainability thinking. This article analyzes institutional resilience in a higher education setting within a sustainability context. Specifically, the article explores various ways to increase the institution’s ability to cope with, and ultimately grow from, stressors and shocks from its environment. Within the article, a conceptual framework is designed to enhance institutional value as a pathway to sustainable development. This analysis will be relevant to global institutions of higher education, where the educational mission is threatened by a changing landscape that includes greater financial pressures, environmental challenges, and social fragmentation. Keywords