Stewardship of Place
AASCU Members are deepening their institution’s role as a community anchor, fostering connections that link student learning with local impact.
The Value
- Universities thrive when they partner with communities, fostering mutual growth and shared success.
- Embedding community engagement into campus culture enriches learning and strengthens regional ties.
- Equitable collaboration between campuses and communities drives innovation and addresses local challenges.
The Practice
- Integrate community engagement into curriculum. Embed service-learning, applied research, and civic projects into coursework across disciplines.
- Build reciprocal partnerships with local organizations. Co-create initiatives with community partners that address shared challenges and center local expertise.
- Use data to inform regional engagement efforts. Track economic, health, and social indicators to align institutional strategies with community priorities.
- Recognize and reward public engagement. Incentivize faculty and staff who advance the university’s public mission through teaching, research, or service.
- Align institutional strategy with regional needs. Make community impact a strategic priority—reflected in planning, budgeting, and leadership development.
- Support student leadership in community work. Provide pathways for students to lead public projects, internships, and dialogue that advance the common good.
Values in Practice
Member Spotlights
Related Programs
Explore issues of civic engagement and public lands at Glacier National Park.
