The Evolution of the Partnership Program within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences: Recruit, Promote, & Engage

Abstract

Research indicates that community organization and university partnerships must be “purposeful, sustainable, and constantly evolving”. They must be mutually beneficial both the organization and the university, and demonstrate a genuinely reciprocal relationship. With Purdue University Global’s diverse population of students, a call has gone out for the development of a diverse selection of partnerships with the goals of promoting student opportunities for employment and externships, as well as to increasing enrollments through partner employees. When recruiting prospective partners, a reciprocal relationship is sought. The pursuit of recruitment is a first phases in developing a community organization/university partnership. Promoting the partnership is an essential second phase. Building the relationship becomes a key focus in developing the partnership. An understanding of the relationship involves addressing power sharing, and building trust, and mutual respect. Taking inventory and understanding each other’s needs, resources, assets, and interests are critical. Through the construction of relationships, the community organization and the University will come together to work toward a shared goal(s). From these tasks comes the development of strategies and plans that lead toward achievement the common goals. If done well this will transition the partnership into the third phase, the engagement phase. The third phase, engagement involves working to sustain the energy of the community/university partnership. Through the development of genuine respect and recognition, a reciprocal and mutually transformative partnership relationship forms. During this workshop, evidence-based research on developing and growing community/university partnerships will be discussed. Finally, the steps and strategies that are needed to recruit, promote, and engage organizations as university partnerships will be shared.

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Keywords

Community, University partnerships

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