From humanitarian crises to climate change, the stark visibility of suffering and inequalities no longer allows anyone, especially universities to act in complacency. This roundtable discussion will explore the frontliner model, a call to action that provides a pathway for institutions to develop their role as civic actors and expand universities’ public purpose. The frontliner model advocates that universities deepen the vision and infrastructure to be responsive to crises while helping move toward sustainable solutions for marginalized communities. Frontliners are essential workers who, by definition, “operate in an advanced, exposed, or conspicuous position.” Universities as frontliners provides a framework for institutions to incorporate the work into the institutional mission acknowledging complex realities of institutions and communities.