Last week, I received the annual Baltimore Collegetown Network Student Survey Report for 2018. The report “takes the pulse” of over 3,000 students and provides information about higher education. You won’t be surprised to learn that arts, culture, history, and humanities figure strongly into the equation, influencing how current students feel about Baltimore, and how colleges promote the city to potential students. Culture rated in the top three things students like best about Baltimore, along with food and the Inner Harbor. And of the top five places where students like to go, museums came in at number two.

The report acknowledges the difficult challenges we face—one of the top descriptive words for the city is “dangerous.” However, also making that list were the words vibrant, accessible, and friendly. Two of my favorite findings are that 36% of respondents volunteer in the area, and 36% say they are definitely or likely to stay in the area after graduation, a number that has doubled over the last 16 years. This is good news for all of us in the cultural sector and beyond.

The mission of Baltimore Collegetown Network is to bring colleges and universities together to attract, engage, and retain students and raise the profile of Baltimore as a great college town. Their membership includes 14 area universities and colleges with more than 160,000 students. Collegetown’s survey provides a useful look at the city and a reminder of the many riches offered here. You can find their survey results along with other publications here.

Enjoy the drop in temperature!

Jeannie