1. Austin College. “Community Partnerships: Civic Engagement
Austin College “Community Partnerships: Civic Engagement through Experiential Learning” February 8, Cary Wacker, Associate VP for Institutional Advancement & Director, Center for Community & Regional Development

2. Creating a new framework for Civic Engagement
Early vision was from Dr. Don Rodgers to create extended “Active Citizenship” experiences in the local community, where students “live” for four years
First program: establishment of SEPA (Social Entrepreneurship for Poverty Alleviation) to provide experiential learning focused on grantwriting for nonprofits
“Active Citizenship” class also participated in building the first segment of a new mountain bike trail at Binkley Park (now nearly 8 miles long; work continued by community volunteers)
These projects inspired the framework for the Center for Community & Regional Development (CCRD), which now connects resources of the College with needs in the community through course partnerships, internships, and program support

3. Global Vision, Local Engagement: Mission and Vision for the Center for Community and Regional Development
The vision of the Austin College Center for Community and Regional Development is to develop collaboration that improves quality of life and strengthens our region’s shared future.
The mission of the CCRD is to:
Equip students at Austin College to engage in and learn from community development;
Build capacity for industry, agencies and communities to prosper; and
Represent Austin College in transformational community interactions.

4. The program of work
The Center engages students, faculty, and the College with community leaders and organizations throughout the Texoma region, including:
Business and Industry
Local and regional community/economic development organizations
Non-profit organizations
Any individual or organization committed to improving the quality of life and economic vitality of people in the North Texas/Southern Oklahoma region

5. Facilitating Experiential Learning
The buzzwords in Higher Ed:
Immersive Experiences
Community-engaged research projects
Civic Engagement/Civic Learning
“Community Partners in mutually beneficial activities and projects”
See Peer Review journal from AAC&U, Fall 2017, Vol. 19,
No. 4, issue titled “Civic Learning in the Major by Design”

6. Projects and Outcomes
Developing programs and course partnerships around civic engagement:
SEPA – 6 full years, $700,000+ in new grant money for local nonprofit organizations. Nearly 100 students, 54 unique agencies served
Entrepreneurship programming – guest speakers in courses; judges for Student Pitch Competition; a local bank arranged a visit by AC faculty and staff to University of Missouri to examine models for curriculum design in entrepreneurship programming.
Internships in January 2018 – students worked with Sherman Chamber, Sherman Economic Development Corp. Both students have been offered spring internships to continue their work.

7. Projects and Outcomes
‘CityLab: Leadership on Location’ Jan Term course (LEAD 100 – 2017; 8 students). Project for City of Sherman to study and make recommendations on Arts advocacy & inclusiveness in Sherman. Culminated in presentation to Sherman City Council; City plans to submit Texas Cultural District application in June 2018 per students’ research.
Spring 2018: Chin Burmese translation project. Students in LEAD 495 are working with Tyson Foods and Sherman ISD to create written material that helps new immigrant families moving to Sherman for work.
Spring 2018: Texoma Health Foundation “Life Activated” project. A second group in LEAD 495 is researching and creating guidelines for restaurants to participate in a health eating initiative.

8. CCRD: Four Areas of Focus for future projects
Center for Community & Regional Development
Community Learning Lab
Outreach & Facilitation
Regional Innovation Initiatives
Adaptive Leadership Education
CCRD: Four Areas of Focus for future projects