Higher education has become a flashpoint in political discourse, while public trust in the sector has plummeted. Foregrounding colleges' and universities' engagement with their communities is a key part of the solution. The American Association of Colleges and Universities has launched Advancing Public Trust in Higher Education (APT), an initiative to promote the democratic mission of higher education by strengthening public trust. Working through a growing coalition of university presidents, faculty, administrators, and business and civil society leaders, APT will develop and implement an action plan to rebuild the social contract between colleges and communities. In this session, AAC&U leaders will share APT's aims and engage attendees in brainstorming practical strategies for rebuilding public trust through civic and community engagement.