Summer Session and the Equity-Excellence Imperative

This article argues that summer sessions and intersessions are underutilized yet powerful strategic tools for meeting higher education’s “equity-excellence imperative.” The authors outline six areas where summer and intersession deliver impact: recruitment, student success, enrichment, engagement, faculty support, and revenue generation. Summer programs enhance access, accelerate degree completion, and expand high-impact learning opportunities, particularly for underserved and nontraditional students. They also foster innovation, community partnerships, and faculty development while generating institutional resources. Far from optional, summer and intersession offerings are positioned as essential, multifaceted levers that promote equitable access, academic excellence, and sustainable institutional growth in a changing educational landscape.