When many of us think of universities, we often think of young high school graduates moving onto campus and four years later walking across a stage wearing a cap and gown and holding a brand new degree. But as community and economic development practitioners know, universities are so much more than that. If these academic powerhouses are at the table in community and economic development activities, major moves can be made. Why?
1.
Universities
have access to academics who combine creativity and expertise but may need an
avenue to implement ideas—the opportunity to apply academic concepts to
real-world problems. If professors and their research students are working
on solving problems, why not invite them to work to solve the problems in your
community? Human capital is more than new graduates looking for employment—it
is also the researchers and academicians who are looking to test out their
theories in the real world.
2.
Universities
have students looking for internships and on-the-ground experience. Students
need opportunities, whether part-time positions during the academic year or
summer internships, to gain relevant experience as they build their resume
before entering the job market upon graduation. Opportunities to collaborate
with universities can come with built-in labor pool.
3.
Universities
can use community investment as an added measure of value when presenting
return on investment to stakeholders. Just like corporations, public and
private universities have to report how they’re effectively using funding.
Making community investments and having measurable impacts on identified community
issues can bolster these reports.
4.
Universities
have brand recognition and community support. Alumni and hometown
supporters generally have strong ties to universities. They know where the
universities are, they are familiar with some of the programs and activities
going on, they support athletics, and they recognize the brand. Universities
have a strong voice that can be used to attract people when new programs and
services are launched.
5.
Universities
have funding that can be leveraged. Universities qualify for grants and
other sources of funding that may not be available for governments or the
private sector. Partnerships can be created along shared areas of focus, and
there are opportunities for grant matching.
Here are a few examples of Market Street clients who are benefiting greatly from partnerships
with colleges and universities in their community. There are mutual benefits
for all involved when these relationships are formed and strengthened.
Jackson, MS – The Jackson
Heart Study is the largest single-site cardiovascular disease research
study focused on African Americans. The study is an effort undertaken by a
collaborative of the National Institutes of Health and three institutions:
Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, and the University of Mississippi
Medical Center. Through the research, which recruited over 5,000 participants
in the Jackson MSA, researchers have been able to collect longitudinal data
that will help determine why African Americans have a higher incidence of heart
disease and what can be done to decrease it. The Jackson metro benefits from
this partnership through various community outreach activities, including
linking participants to needed services and creating the Community Health
Advisors Network, which conducts health screenings, health fairs, and many
other awareness and prevention activities. Students benefit through greater
research opportunities, access to mentoring from professors from all three
institutions, and exposure to job opportunities after graduation.
Atlanta, GA – Many people know about Atlanta’s BeltLine
project, but what some may not know is that the idea came from a Georgia
Tech student’s master’s thesis. The thesis presented an idea of an integrated
design for transportation that was thoughtful of land use, greenspace, and
sustainable growth, which led to a grassroots community effort and ultimately
to a $3 billion project. Now, city officials pay more attention to ideas coming
from Georgia Tech’s School of City and Regional Planning. Most recently, a city
councilman has chosen to look into a student’s
master’s thesis related to a parking tax in Atlanta.
Nashville, TN – The Nashville
Urban Design Program provides real-world experience for University of
Tennessee’s Landscape Architecture seniors. According to the site, Metro
Nashville and Middle Tennessee become “a laboratory to visit and experience the
issues and opportunities confronting the region.” In Summer 2013, the program collaborated
with Nashville Downtown Partnership to explore the potential of micro-housing
on sites in Downtown Nashville. Teams of students worked together to figure out
the best way to design small, affordable spaces.
Joplin, MO – The Joplin region has several examples of
university-led economic development efforts. The Kansas Polymer Research Center at
Pittsburg State, which receives over $1.1 million in federal funding for
bio-based research, supports tech transfer of academic polymer research projects
into new enterprises. The Missouri
Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology (MARET) Center at Crowder
College is conducting applied research and assisting in new product development
in green technology and alternative energy. The Missouri Center for
Advanced Power Systems (MOCAP) located at Missouri Southern State
University is a center for research as well as specialized workforce training
for engineers at EaglePicher Technologies, a manufacturing firm. MOCAP is a
partnership between four universities: Missouri Southern State University,
Missouri University of Science and Technology, Missouri State University, and
University of Missouri-Columbia; along with EaglePicher, the Joseph Newman
Innovation Center, and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.
These are just a few examples of the innovative ways
universities are contributing to community and economic development.
Universities are not just where future workers gain degrees—they are skills
training fields, they are community advocates, and they are valuable assets to
both government officials and corporate leaders. Finding ways to leverage and
combine resources is a vital strategic move that the smart communities are
undertaking.
