ITGA and NLC Renew Partnership to Strengthen Town-Gown Relations and Local Leadership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2025
Washington, D.C. - The International Town & Gown Association (ITGA) and the National League of Cities (NLC) have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to continue their partnership. This MOU reinforces our shared commitment to building stronger connections between local governments and institutions of higher education.
The renewed agreement, effective through 2027, outlines joint initiatives that enhance professional development, facilitate information sharing, and expand membership engagement. Through this collaboration, both organizations aim to better serve the needs of municipal leaders and university communities facing shared challenges and opportunities.
“The renewed partnership between ITGA and NLC underscores the growing importance of collaboration between cities and universities,” said Beth Bagwell, Executive Director of ITGA. “This agreement allows us to expand our network and amplify our collective efforts to promote innovative, inclusive, and resilient communities.”
Key areas of collaboration outlined in the MOU include:
- Cross-promotion of skills-based webinars and professional development opportunities;
- Recognition and participation at each organization’s annual conferences;
- Sharing updates on federal policy issues relevant to university communities;
- Increased visibility through joint publications, newsletters, and online platforms;
- Deeper engagement with NLC’s University Communities Council and state municipal leagues.
"Local governments and higher education institutions are deeply interconnected, and their collaboration is essential to the vitality of cities, towns and villages across the country,” said NLC President Steve Patterson, Mayor of Athens, Ohio. “As the mayor of a college town, the immediate Past-President of ITGA and former Chair of the NLC University Communities Council, I know firsthand how important it is to cultivate meaningful and consistent relationships with institutions of higher education and the communities in which they reside. Together, NLC and ITGA will continue to equip leaders with the tools, knowledge and peer connections needed to navigate the unique dynamics of town-gown relationships."
As ITGA continues to expand its reach across the United States and internationally, the organization remains committed to providing value to its members by aligning with key partners like NLC that champion strong local governance and innovative problem-solving.
To learn more about ITGA, visit www.itga.org. For more information on NLC and its work with municipal leaders, visit www.nlc.org.
Media Contacts:
International Town & Gown Association
National League of Cities