In the midst of the worst public health crisis to hit the nation in a hundred years, and in a moment of racial reckoning, widespread economic uncertainty, and geopolitical instability, it may seem strange to be thinking about a Second American Century. But many times in the past, when faced with great threats and challenges, the nation has created the opportunity to lead. To bring about the Second American Century, people need to cultivate human work by empowering those of all backgrounds to develop their unique traits and capabilities throughout their lives so that they can use their full talents to serve others and solve challenging problems. In this article, the author discusses the role for higher education in human work and the Second American Century.