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Leveraging UniversityPartnerships for CommunityNeedsUniversity ParticipantsKate Albrecht, UI-ChicagoGreg Kuhn, NIUGavin Luter, UW-MadisonLocal Gov ParticipantsJohn Nevenhoven, ElburnSam Liebert, Shorewood HillsTodd Schmidt, Waunakee
CONNECTING THE DOTS: UNIVERSITY-COMMUNITYENGAGEMENTKATE ALBRECHT, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-CHICAGO, NETWORKS AND GOVERNANCE LAB
Infusion ModelAdapted from G. Bender, 2008,Perspectives in Education, 26(1)
WHAT DOES UNIVERSITY-COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LOOK LIKE?EngagedResearchKnowledge SharingServiceConsultancy
ENGAGED RESEARCHFAQs Longest timelines needed (Year )Types Collaborative research projects Research projects involving co-creationof design with partners Research commissioned by hard-to-reach groups or under-servedcommunities Can involve students, but usually thosein training as research assistants External funding often needed IRB and university processes University team works with partner todesign research, but implements mostof the in-depth work
KNOWLEDGE SHARINGTypes Consultancy for hard-to-reach groups Public funded knowledge exchangeprojects Capacity building projectsFAQs Knowledge sharing through student Medium timelines (semester)'consultancy' Promoting public dialogue & media May require MOU or other agreement University team and students offer scopeand capacity Students can be involved in service-learning/class environments More time commitment from partner
SERVICE CONSULTANCYFAQsTypes Medium to short timelines (semester or Making university assets & services Often a requires a contract with theaccessible Encouraging hard-to-reach groups touse assets Making an intellectual contribution as'expert' Contributing to the civic life of theregion Students can be involved in service-learning/class environmentsless)university team University team works more as aconsultant, with partner guiding scope
KEYS TO SUCCESS Mutual self-interest Clear rules of engagement Expectations of data use and researchproducts Realistic scope and timeline University - academic programs thatcombine service with research &human capital development Partner – legitimacy and communityneeds
UniverCity AllianceBetterPlacesTogether
Department of Civil andEnvironmental EngineeringDivision of ExtensionData ScienceInstituteDepartment of Planning andLandscape ArchitectureCOWSGlobal Health InstituteComputerSciencesInstitute for Researchon PovertyCartography LabAdvisory BoardNelson Institute forEnvironmental StudiesPopulation HealthInstituteMorgridge Center forPublic ServiceLawSchoolSchool of MedicineLa Follette Schoolof Public AffairsSchool ofBusinessSchool of HumanEcologySchool of Education
UniverCity Year: Scope &ProcessThe Wisconsin Idea in Action& to ScaleOur first 4 years: 200 projects & counting 1500 students involved 80 courses
Examples of workBest nalmaterialsDatavisualizationProgramevaluationSite ngsCase studycomparisons
Health, Well-Being, & EquityAssisting with evidence-based strategy Mental Health Navigator (Implemented) Teen Intervene Program (Toolkit being used) Data sharing to combat opioid crisis (Secured grant)Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Native Nations, Equityin Hiring, Media CampaignsInvolved departments: Public Health, Nelson Institutefor Environmental Studies, Industrial SystemsEngineering, Journalism/Communications
Clean EnergyGreening a rural school’s footprint Energy audit Alternative energy designResulted in more solar panels on theschool & lower energy costs (saving 30,000 per year)Involved Departments: Civil &Environmental Engineering,Wisconsin Energy Institute
Housing Affordable housing site analysis, values, and risks (Currentlypitching rural, affordable pocket neighborhoods) Senior housing site plans (City council pitching to developers)Involved Departments: Real Estate & Urban Economics, Civil &Environmental Engineering
Economic Development Tourism Marketing (Using marketing materials) Trade Market Analysis & Planning (New businesses locatingin Brodhead; Brought new stakeholders to table in Adams) Infill development plans (Monroe building a pocket park) Developing strategies to link arts, culture, and economicdevelopmentInvolved Departments: Journalism/Communications,Extension, Agriculture & Applied Economics, MBA in ArtsAdministration
Funding Sources Alumni donations Local government contributions University in-kind and financialcontributions Private philanthropy Direct business support
Center for Governmental Studiesand Department of Public AdministrationSchool of Public and Global AffairsGreg Kuhn, Ph.D.Director, Center for Governmental StudiesILCMA-WCMA 2022
Snapshot of NIUChartered in 1895, Northern Illinois University is acomprehensive teaching and research institution withnearly17,000 students26 available degrees66 undergrad majors69 graduate programs*Source NIU Quick Facts www/niu.edu
GOVERNMENT FOCUSED ASSISTANCECGS and Dept. of Public Administration are bothpart of the School of Public and Global Affairs atNIUThe Center functions as the government “think and do” tank at NIU,applying the intellectual resources of the university to address publicissues facing communities, the region, the state and the nationThe Department of Public Administration trains students, coordinatesinternships and undertakes scholarly research in the field – NIU isNASPAA Accredited and Nationally Ranked - #3 in Local GovernmentManagement and #14 in Budget and Finance
WHO WE ARE AT CGS Established in 1969, CGS is a bridge between the University’s knowledge base andgovernment stakeholders in the state and in the region CGS is a public service, applied research and public policy Center within NIU’s Divisionof Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development and a unit of the NIU School ofPublic and Global Affairs Mission is to provide objective expertise to government decision makers, leaders andadministrators CGS has more than 35 professional staff members with over 90% holding doctoraland masters’ degrees in public administration, public policy, political science,business, economics, planning, computer science, informatics statistics and otherfields
PA & MPA Program Connections NIU MPA Faculty and CGS Staff Are Part of the School of Public and Global Affairs Faculty and Students Work With CGS Teams, and, Undertake Research and Projectson their Own Capstone Projects Bring Grad Student Teams To Communities to AnalyzeProblems/Develop Solutions– Impacts of the Cost of Water & Water User Penalties - DuPage County– Annexation of Surrounding Properties - DeKalb Park District– Shrinking Fire District Analysis - Village of Mount Prospect, Elk Grove Village, the City of Des Plaines, and theOffice of the State Fire Marshall– Employee Retention at Rockford 911 - City of Rockford– Business Licensing Review - The Village of Indian Head Park– Using Impact Fees to Fund Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure - Village of Skokie– Hawthorn Woods Aquatic Center Viability Analysis - Village of Hawthorn Woods
HOW CGS MEETS ITS MISSIONPROMOTE BALANCEDCOMMUNITIESCGS helps develop livable andhealthy communities that work forresidents, employers, and visitorsINFORM SOUND DECISIONMAKINGCGS helps undertake the analysesneeded and works with leaders todevelop insights, sharpen skills toaddress problems/identify strategiesCGS helps governments andagencies make the most of theinformation and resources they haveREINVIGORATE LOCALECONOMIESCGS helps identify opportunities togrow and keep jobs in communities,start new businesses, and obtain thebest return on public investmentsSUPPORT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS& STATE AGENCIESCGS IS BUILDING ASTRONGER REGIONTHROUGHINNOVATION ANDCOLLABORATION TO:RESKILL THE WORKFORCECGS helps analyze critical policyquestions and programs designed tobalance employers’ needs for todayand tomorrow’s skilledworkers/workforce
AREAS & SCOPE OF ASSISTANCE Project Distribution: 8-year Snapshot– Average 60 projects, grants, contracts per year– Including 90 municipalities, 34 special districts, 17 local gov’t. consortiums, 9counties and other government jurisdictions/agencies CGS’ Practice Areas:–––––––Strategic Management and PolicyCommunity and Economic DevelopmentOrganizational Development, Governance and TrainingWorkforce Development & Economic Impact AnalysisAssociation ManagementSurvey Research & Data UtilizationData Informatics
ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS, GOVERNANCEAND TRAINING– Civic Leadership Academy– Customized Training– Team Building and OrganizationalDevelopment– Staffing and Organizational Analysis– Governing Board Development & Coaching
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT, POLICY &COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT––––––Strategic PlanningPolicy StudiesCommunity DevelopmentHousing and Sustainability StudiesComprehensive Plan Reviews & UpdatesEconomic Development Strategies and Analysis
ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT Provides Professional ExecutiveManagement for Civic ProfessionalAssociations Conference and Meeting Management Financial Administration Internal Communications Membership/Constituent Relations External Communications and PublicRelations Resource Development
SURVEY RESEARCH– Comprehensive & Customized Survey Research Designand Execution Community Surveys– Random Sample and Mixed-Mode Methodologies– Multi-Lingual Online and Telephone Interviewing Options In-Person Interviews & Focus Groups– Data visualization design and integration
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ANDECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS Researches innovative workforce development modelsand strategies Works with local, state and federal agencies to assesslocal and regional workforce/business environment Assess the impact of development and policy changes Prepares labor market and economic impact analyses andprofiles Integrates workforce initiatives with economic andcommunity development efforts Supports policy development to better align workforcesupply and demand
DATA INFORMATICS– Data Modeling, Mining, andAnalysis From Large Datasets Data Integration (Cross-matching, Modification, Calculation, andManipulation) Dynamic Web Applications Ad Hoc Reporting Data Preparation and Coding Data Warehousing ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) Analytical and Relational Data Processing
CONTACT INFORMATIONCenter for GovernmentalStudiesNorthern Illinois UniversityWm. R. Monat Building148 North 3rd StreetDeKalb, Illinois 60115Phone: 815-753-1907https://www.cgs.niu.eduDepartment of PublicAdministrationNorthern Illinois UniversityIASBO BuildingDeKalb, Illinois 60115Phone: 815-753-0183publicadm@niu.edu
In SummaryCan universities do something productive for our communities? YESHow can communities connect with universities? There are many formsof engagement (community-based courses, consultation, communitybased research, internships / field placements, etc.)What’s needed for this to be successful? One Entry Point, Structure,Cross-Campus Relationships, Supportive Curriculum, Supportive FacultyHow can you benefit from these connections? Help you define projects,long-term workforce development, thought partners (we are differentthan consultants), help you check your assumptions, you can helpeducate the next generation, and many more!
Northern Illinois University Wm. R. Monat Building 148 North 3rd Street DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Phone: 815-753-1907 https://www.cgs.niu.edu. Department of Public Administration. Northern Illinois University IASBO Building DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Phone: 815-753-0183 publicadm@niu.edu. CONTACT INFORMATION
