Advances in rocket propulsion technology have historically relied on a healthy interaction among members of the university, industry, and government communities. The National Institute of Rocket Propulsion Systems commissioned a series of three Academic Workshops from 2011 to 2014 to gather information about the current status of research at universities and recommend strategies for successful collaborations. This paper summarizes the activities of these workshops. A snapshot of propulsion research at universities is summarized from Workshop I. Workshop II produced a series of health metrics by which one could monitor the well-being of university propulsion programs and a description of how individual universities organized their efforts. In Workshop III, representatives of the university, industry, and government examined three case studies on larger university-based activities, which interacted heavily with government and involved industry. Participants assessed desirable attributes such as continuity of support, sustainability, industry mentorship, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and shared curricula. University coalitions that operate under non-profit research and graduate education institute appear to be an excellent strategy for current and future sustainable university, government, and industry programs in rocket propulsion systems.