Why Community-University Partnerships?PartnershipsEnhance quality of life in the regionIncrease relevance of academic programsAdd public purposes to research agendasAttract new resourcesLink campus and community in common

purpose

University/Community Partnerships

AssessmentFeedback Loop

InstitutionalMission and

Interests

Community Needsand Assets

Partner Needsand Assets

ProgramClosure

FundingSecured

ProposalPreparation

StrategicPlanning

ProjectImplementation

ProgramDesign

CapacityBuilding

SummativeAssessment

ProgramModification

Common Partnership ThemesEducation through the lifespan

(technology, literacy, English language, etc.)

School improvementYouth developmentCommunity planning and capacityWorkforce qualityEconomic developmentHealthLivability (environment, safety, culture,

conflict resolution, etc.)

Characteristics of Effective Partnerships

Joint exploration of goals and interestsCreation of a mutually rewarding agendaEmphasis on positive consequences for each

partnerIdentification of opportunities for early successesFocus on knowledge exchange, shared learning,

and capacity-buildingAttention to communication, cultivation of trustCommitment to continuous assessment of the

partnership itself, as well as outcomes

Sustaining PartnershipsInvest the time to build understandingCreate formal partnership structuresArticulate substantive roles for all partnersMeet regularly and oftenInvolve/employ citizens in projects from the

startCollaborate in identifying fundingCreate a timeline; short and long goalsTake time to assess and reflect togetherCelebrate

The Engaged University

The engaged institution is committed to direct interaction with external constituencies and communities through the mutually-beneficial exchange, exploration, and application of knowledge, expertise and information. These interactions enrich and expand the learning and discovery functions of the academic institution while also enhancing community capacity. The work of the engaged institution is responsive to community-identified needs, opportunities and goals in ways that are appropriate to the university’s mission and academic strengths. The interaction also builds greater public understanding of the role of the university as a knowledge asset and resource.

Engaged Campus CharacteristicsArticulates engagement in mission and strategy Involves community in continuous, purposeful and

authentic waysLinks learning to engagementLinks engagement to every aspect of campus orgDevelops and sustains necessary infrastructureDemonstrates leadership at all levels of organizationSupports interdisciplinary workMakes engagement visible internally and externallyAssesses engagement within the context of faculty,

students, and community

Tools for Institutional ChangeMission clarification and consensusFaculty development investmentsCurricular reform=engaged learningInfrastructure supportIncentives, rewards, recognitionOrientation, recruitment, hiringInstitutional research – documenting

impactsGrants, gifts, partnershipsPeer interactions, conferences, exchanges

InstitutionalizationInvolvement of campus leadershipInvestment of campus resourcesCommitment to evaluate and reward facultyIntegration of engagement into curriculum

and learning objectivesCreation of a coherent engagement agendaLink engagement to teaching and researchCollaboration across disciplines and

institutions

Validating the Role of EngagementIncorporation of CE into regional

accreditation processesFederal investment in grant programsState investment in public service rolesExploration of CE (and learning) as element

of Carnegie classifications

Challenges and NeedsDependency on early adopters among

faculty; Need to build critical massRe-design academic work to include

community expertise and participationDependency on external funding; Need to

invest institutional assets through integration into operations

Lack of a common language that describes/measures CE across institutions

Better tools for assessing the quality of this work, its impacts, its effectiveness

Good Ways to Move AheadCivic engagement must link to what matters

to facultyCivic engagement must demonstrably serve

institutional goals and ambitionsCivic engagement requires a curricular

componentCivic engagement invites the community into

academic work