Seth Oranburg, a law professor at UNH in Concord, advocates for stronger ties between New Hampshire and its institutions.

As 2024 ends, many of us are resolving to strengthen our personal relationships in the New Year: Hey Siri, remind me to put my phone away during dinner!

Institutions, like individuals, can also benefit from reflecting on their relationships and making commitments to improve them. In 2025, Concord should resolve to improve its relationship with UNH and Durham, and vice versa.

New Hampshire’s worst-kept secret is that we rank dead last in state funding for higher education. This isn’t due to financial constraints. Wyoming, for example, has a smaller population and lower total personal income than New Hampshire but invests four times as much per capita in public higher education.

Underfunding means sky-high tuition, crushing student debt, and Granite Staters fleeing to affordable schools out of state. While we rank 50th place for higher-ed funding, New Hampshire ranks #1 out of all 50 states for reduction in number of children in the state. Could it be a coincidence that failing to invest in youth means they leave home and don’t come back?

The Granite State ethos of self-reliance is often invoked as a reason for under-funding higher education. Yet, we adequately fund police, roads, hospitals, and K-12 schools. We don’t expect citizens to take law into their own hands or handle their own appendectomies. Why is higher education treated differently?

Relationships are two-way streets, and Concord’s underfunding may reflect a perception that UNH hasn’t delivered enough value to Granite Staters. From its perch in Durham, it’s easy to see how the university can feel distant from the daily lives of Granite Staters. Historically, UNH has focused on recruiting students from out of state rather than investing in the communities right here at home.

But this perception isn’t permanent. UNH has an opportunity to redefine itself as a cornerstone of New Hampshire’s success, one that benefits all Granite Staters.

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It’s 2025: time for a frame shift. UNH does produce public goods like knowledge, research, and skilled graduates who contribute to local communities. From advancements in sustainable agriculture to innovations in renewable energy, the university’s work has a direct impact on the Granite State. We train future teachers, engineers, and healthcare workers — people who will strengthen New Hampshire’s workforce and enrich its towns and cities.

But UNH can do more. UNH has an opportunity to better connect with Granite Staters by deepening its ties to local industries, expanding outreach programs, and showcasing how its work supports the state’s economy and culture. By committing to these efforts, UNH can prove to New Hampshire residents that it’s not just an institution in the state, it’s an institution for the state.

If we want a thriving economy and a well-educated workforce, it’s time for Concord to prioritize higher education. A stronger relationship between the state and its flagship university can benefit everyone, from local businesses to future generations of Granite Staters.

Relationships require effort on both sides. Concord must recognize that investing in UNH is an investment in the state’s future. At the same time, UNH must show New Hampshire residents and lawmakers why it’s worth that investment by becoming a more engaged and visible partner in the life of the Granite State.

Let 2025 be the year Concord and Durham come together to build a stronger future for all Granite Staters.