Developing and Sustaining Community Partnerships

HDCI Sector Partnership Grantee Conference

Jekyll Island

November 7, 2017

“The Archway Partnership connects

communities with higher education

resources to address locally-identified community and

economic development issues.”

Archway Partnership Marine

Extension/ Sea Grant

State Botanical Garden

Office of Service

Learning

Center for Continuing Education

Carl Vinson Institute of

Government

Fanning Inst for Leadership Development

Small Business Development

Center

2005Pilot Project

started in Colquitt CO

2007Become an official unit

2008Expanded into Washington,

Glynn, Clayton, Sumter & Hart

Counties

2009Added Pulaski and Whitfield

Counties

Brief History of the Archway Partnership

Director

Operations Coordinator

Archway Professional

Archway Professional

Archway Professional

Operations Coordinator

Archway Professional

Archway Professional

Archway Professional

Operations Coordinator

Archway Professional

Archway Professional

Business Manager

Program Coordinator

2 Undergraduate students

~15 Graduate Assistants

Summary – the Archway ProcessüProcess for identifying, prioritizing and addressing community needs

üArchway Professional links campus to community

üProvides neutral third-party platform

üHistorical mission of taking the University out to the people of Georgia

üFoundational elements of community & economic development

üCivic engagement, collaboration and partnerships vital to success

Why an Issue Work Group Model?

• Local is Personal

• Archway Neutral Third-Party

• Archway Hosts IWG Meetings

• Meeting Agendas & Notes

• Creates the Distribution Lists for Connections

• Archway Professional Facilitates Meetings

• AP Constantly Inviting/Networking Stakeholders

Value Added Process

• Identifies Stakeholders

• Introduce/Integrate Stakeholders1

• Increases Civic Engagement

• Increases Community Conversation Levels2

• Increases Investment in Community3

• Rising Tide Lifts all Ships

• More Minds = Better Outcomes

• Recommendations Come Through IWG to EC4

Issue Work Groups (IWG)

• Generally Formed Around Priority Areas or Projects; examples:

• Economic Development

• Community Development

• Leadership Development

• Public Health

• Education

• Liaison(s) from Executive Committee

• Chair or Co-Chair Issue Work Group

• Community Champions

Archway Partnership Executive Committee Priority Area:

Education for a Quality Work Force (70 members)• Goal #1: Assist the school system in establishing charter schools

and/or a College and Career Academy that allows for dual enrollment with Southwest Georgia Technical College and other partners.

• Goal #2: Establish a local business and industry advisory board (issue work group) to identify workplace trends, promote opportunities for student learning in the workplace, assist college and career pathway implementation, and seek private funding (or other funding resources) to support educational efforts.

• Goal #3: Investigate grants; donations; in-kind gifts of equipment, machinery or training programs; and other funding sources to enhance technology infrastructure.

Usual Suspects

• K-12 System

• Technical College

• USG Institutions

• Private Colleges and Universities

Unusual Suspects• HR Directors, Employment Agencies, SHRM Chapter

• Development Authority, Chamber, DDA

• Regional State Agency Reps., DCA, DOL, GDEcD, WIOA

• Education–Regional Higher Education Institutions-Public & Private, RESA, Library, Pre-K Public and Private

• Major Employers - Health Care, Local Government, B & I

• Amenity Reps. – Arts, Cultural, Heritage, Recreation, Sports

• Youth Groups-4H, Boys & Girls Club, Scouts, etc. (Tutoring & Leadership Development)

• Current and Retired Teachers

• Interested Citizens & Parents

IWG Participants by Category

• K-12• Superintendent• Assistant Superintendents (2)• School Board Member• High School Principal• High School Assistant Principal• Gifted Program Coordinator• CTAE Director• WBL Coordinator• Head Counselor• Instructors (as needed by content area)• RESA Representative

IWG Participants by Category

• Higher Education

• Presidents

• VP-Provost

• VP-Economic Development

• VP-Student Affairs

• Admissions Counselors

• Institutional Advancement

• Communications

IWG Participants by Category• Business & Industry

• Chamber

• Development Authority

• Downtown Development Authority

• Business Owners

• Plant Managers

• HR Directors

• Employment/Staffing Agencies

• SHRM

• Finance Directors

• Major Employers

• WBL Business Partners

IWG Participants by Category

• Community

• Citizens

• Library

• Retired Teachers

• Media

• Youth Groups

• Amenity Representatives (depending on agenda)

• Arts, Music, Theater, History, Heritage, Recreation, Sports

IWG Participants by Category

• State Agencies

• GA Department of Labor

Ø Local & Regional Representatives

• GA Department of Community Affairs

Ø Regional Representative

• GA Department of Economic Development

Ø Field Service Representative

Communication

Tell your Education and Workforce Story

Keys to Success• It Takes Time! YEARS in most cases…

Ø Build relationships, trust, networks

• Practice, Practice, PracticeØ Monthly meetings (Add value at every meeting)Ø Practice collaborating and partneringØ Leverage resourcesØ Looking for the win-winØ Accountability

• Strong Leadership

• Community Coach or Archway Professional to connect dots and break down silos

• Who is the strongest convener in your region? USE them to organize folks and get people to the table.

• Cross-pollination is critical. If you are part of multiple boards/organizations/groups, be sure and share information.

• Don’t focus on who gets the credit.

• Culture eats strategy for breakfast!

Angel Jackson, MPASharon Liggett, MPA

www.archwaypartnership.uga.edu

THANK YOU!