Arizona State University made news in 2018 when it opened its $35 million Barrett & O’Connor Washington Center, which is conveniently located near the White House. The move was a big growth for the university in the capital, and it inspired its foe across the state, the University of Arizona, to do the same.
In response to ASU’s growth, the University of Arizona asked its Board of Regents for money to open a branch in Washington, D.C. As a result, the Washington, D.C. Center for Outreach & Collaboration was built and opened its doors in 2021. The center’s launch showed its dedication to working with the media, alumni, and lawmakers, even though it was delayed because of COVID-19.
These colleges in Arizona aren’t the only ones trying to get a foothold in Washington, D.C. A lot of American colleges have joined the fight. Texas A&M, the University of Southern California, Purdue, Princeton, and Johns Hopkins are just a few that have grown significantly.
At least 50 satellite campuses are now open in Washington, D.C., which shows that this is part of a larger trend at colleges across the country. The city’s appeal goes beyond education; colleges point to benefits like prestige, chances to raise money, access to lobbying, and internships as reasons to move there.
Washington’s attraction isn’t just limited to academics, either. For local governments, getting university outposts is good for the economy because it brings more people to downtown areas and boosts business.
As the trend of expansion continues to grow, people are starting to wonder how it will affect the culture of the city in the long run. Even though there are attempts to make programming more varied, many campus outposts still focus on politics and policy and serve a specific group of people.
Still, the large number of students coming to Washington DC is good for both the school and the city itself. The nation’s capital is always changing because of how academia, economics, and politics all affect each other. This is because colleges are always trying to stay competitive.
