2026 Program Modules

This module explores the dynamics that shape successful town-gown relationships and provides practical tools for assessing and strengthening campus-community partnerships. Participants will learn to distinguish between a true “college town” and a “town with a college,” examine key town-gown typologies, and connect with peers working in similar leadership spaces.

Through a mini version of the OCTA assessment developed by Stephen Gavazzi and guided discussion of common challenges and opportunities, attendees will gain actionable insights into their local context. Grounded in research, including A Tale of Three Cities (Gavazzi & Fox, 2015), this module fosters both strategic understanding and a renewed appreciation for the shared roles of town and gown—ensuring participants leave informed, connected, and supported in their work. 

Learning Objectives:

• Know
  • how to identify a college town from a town with a college in it
  • Other leaders who are leading and working in similar spaces
• Do
  • A mini version of the OCTA assessment, created by Stephen Gavazzi
  • Engage in discussions about common challenges and opportunities in college towns
• Feel 
  • They are not alone in the work they do to support their town-gown relationships 
  • A sense of appreciation for both the role of the town and the gown in a community

Developing and sustaining functional town and gown relationships is one of the most effective ways for institutions and municipalities to proactively address shared challenges and leverage collective opportunities. This session will explore the structure, purpose, and operational strategies of functional and sustaining Town and Gown Advisory Boards, with emphasis on communication practices, proactive versus reactive engagement, and navigating current issues affecting higher education and local communities. Participants will examine real-world approaches for building trust, aligning institutional and municipal priorities, and enhancing economic, social, and cultural impact through collaborative community engagement at the local, regional, and global levels.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the core components and governance structures of functional and effective Town and Gown Advisory Boards

• Distinguish between proactive and reactive town and gown engagement strategies and assess their impact on long-term community relationships

• Apply practical frameworks for communication, stakeholder alignment, and problem-solving to holistically strengthen the totality of institutional and municipal partnerships

Development in a college town is a common occurrence. You can draw a circle on a map around any university and see the dollar signs in the neighborhoods closest to the center. Investors often only see those dollar signs, but what happens when those neighborhoods hold so much important history?

In this session, we will explore the McCulloch neighborhood of College Station—the city’s last predominantly African American neighborhood. We will examine the many meanings of community engagement, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are. Finally, we will consider how rethinking your approach to community engagement can make the difference between conflict and loss, and dialogue and preservation.

Learning Objectives:

• Community engagement shouldn’t always be the same methods applied across your entire community – targeted community engagement is important

• The way you as the City engage with the community can make the difference between a neighborhood and its history disappearing

• Change is inevitable. Issues are complex. You can still and always can meet people where they are

College and university communities present unique opportunities for retail development, with stable anchor institutions, a built-in customer base, and strong purchasing power. However, successful retail strategies in these markets require a deep understanding of demographic trends, seasonal fluctuations, and real estate challenges. 

This session provides a data-driven approach to retail growth in town-gown communities, equipping attendees with the tools to analyze market viability, package real estate opportunities, and attract retailers suited for long-term success. Through a detailed case study of Maryville, Missouri – home to Northwest Missouri State University – attendees will explore real-world strategies that balance student and community needs while overcoming common challenges like seasonal sales fluctuations or parking constraints. The session will conclude with a discussion on successful retail concepts in college markets, offering practical takeaways for implementing effective recruitment and retention strategies. 

Learning Objectives 

• Identify and present the key demographic and economic data points that drive retail site selection in college towns, including how to showcase combined community and campus population statistics, student spending power, and market stability to attract potential retailers

• Develop effective strategies for identifying, marketing, and packaging real estate opportunities near campus, addressing common challenges such as parking constraints, seasonal revenue fluctuations, and town-gown collaboration in development projects

• Implement lessons from the Maryville case study and national examples to create an action plan for recruiting and retaining retailers that meet both campus and community needs, with a focus on building sustainable year-round business models

As most college students live off campus, universities and surrounding communities shared interest and responsibility for supporting student success beyond campus boundaries. This presentation highlights the programs, initiatives, and engagement strategies of Off-Campus Life at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado Boulder—two offices with distinct yet complementary approaches. Through examples of signature events, educational resources, community partnerships, and advocacy efforts, attendees will examine how these offices support housing transitions, student well-being, community integration, and long-term residents. The session emphasizes adaptable strategies and collaborative frameworks that other institutions and community stakeholders can use to strengthen off-campus student support and town–gown relationships. The presenters will share why this work matters, how it can be implemented, and the positive impact on all stakeholders.

Learning Objectives

• Identify key programs, services, and engagement strategies used by Off-Campus Life offices at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado Boulder to support students living beyond campus boundaries

• Analyze how institutional partnerships and community collaborations contribute to student success, neighborhood vitality, and positive town–gown relationships in off-campus environments

• Apply adaptable best practices and program models from CSU and CU Boulder to strengthen off-campus student support systems at their own institutions or within their local communities

Learn practical, evidence-based strategies that reduce noise, vandalism, and high-risk drinking by building trust and shared ownership across campus and community. Through a case example from a large public university in a small college town, this session provides adaptable tools for partnership-building, event management, and sustaining prevention initiatives that keep the fun — without the hangover.

Learning outcomes:

• Assess local campus and community risk/protective factors that drive high-risk drinking

• Design two partnership-based interventions (e.g., party registration, resident engagement, coordinated enforcement/education) tailored to your context

• Create a sustainable implementation and evaluation plan to measure impact and maintain programs amid shifting priorities