Higher education institutions (HEIs) can be drivers of change and also – in alignment with public purposes of higher education – stewards of existing communities. When communities around campuses change – through, for instance, corporate development or gentrification - HEIs may re-visit how they serve historically underserved communities or sustain partnerships. A co-editor of an upcoming volume on best practices in community engagement will report out research and findings about how diverse institutions handle the dual role of the campus as a community-changer and community anchor.