Session Type: Poster Accepted by MIG(s): Time Allotted: 60 Description: Academic institutions are charged with developing ethical leadership and better addressing problems in poorer communities surrounding their campus. Thus, institutions are embracing civic engagement. University of Wisconsin-Madison expanded its own civic engagement (Wisconsin Idea) into a long-term partnership, by expanding educational partnerships and sharing leadership with South Madison community partners. Abstract: In the United States, a national call for civic engagement has reached the doorstep of institutions of higher education. Academic institutions are reinvigorating their civic engagement missions to engage better with poorer local communities that surround their campuses. Deepening the level of commitment, shifting the manner of engagement with community partners, and broadening the scope of the work can create more ethical institutions.
University of Wisconsin-Madison expanded its own version of civic engagement, the Wisconsin Idea, into a long-term and multi-disciplinary partnership with the ethnically and economically diverse neighborhoods of South Madison. Numerous collaborations, formed between UW-Madison partners, with other educational entities, and various community partners. UW-Madison participates in collaborative work, for instance, to share knowledge and resources that enhance educational opportunities and address community needs. The poster will showcase three aspects that illustrate the range of collaborations undertaken, the work conducted, and the types of partners involved.
1) Long term civic engagement: UW-System’s Wisconsin Idea in South Madison
The UW-Madison, a large public land grant institution and the state’s flagship university, is building on the 100+ year tradition of the “Wisconsin Idea” in South Madison. Extension divisions historically make University research more accessible and provide practical education to the community. Specifically, in South Madison, UW–Extension Dane County increases the access of university resources and expertise to South Madison residents. UW–Madison and UW–Extension Dane County, committed to the “Wisconsin Idea,” work locally to connect the university system to South Madison in a sustained way.
2) Shared leadership with community partners early in the collaboration
UW-Madison and a South Madison community partner, the South Metropolitan Planning Council (SMPC), were mutually interested in collaborating. SMPC is a nonprofit coalition of neighborhood associations and businesses working to improve South Madison. SMPC invited UW–Madison to contribute to the revitalization of the Park Street corridor. Early in the collaboration, UW–Madison and SMPC began co-designing a grassroots effort to address resident concerns. This initiative and current collaborations related to home purchase and retention will be highlighted. These will help illustrate the range of collaborations undertaken, the work conducted (i.e. learning and action), and the types of partners involved.
3) Expanding educational partners and programs
UW–Madison (Office of the Chancellor, Morgridge Center, School of Human Ecology) and UW–Extension Dane County started exploring the creation of a broad educational partnership. Madison College and Edgewood College joined them and now the four institutions run a distinctive center, Campus Community Partnerships. Long standing academic and community programs relocated to this central hub location and the City of Madison recently purchased the building to develop a nonprofit and retail mixed-use site. An overview of the programs will be shared to showcase the wide range of issues covered in these collaborations between educators and community partners, such as financial education, legal services, housing, science outreach, writing assistance, business development, and cultural issues. Broadly defined issues surpass the resources and knowledge of any one entity. The multiple stakeholders needed for these collaborations will be shared.
Ariel Kaufman, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bio: Ariel Kaufman has been working with University-Community partnerships since 1992. She is interested in informing both research and practice for shared leadership and collaborative approaches. She has engaged with diverse stakeholders on a wide array of community and economic development initiatives. Prior to her work at UW-Madison she worked in organizational development in Los Angeles, California at the Center for Nonprofit Management.
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