Track 1: Building Community

Room-HSC A: Title: Engaging a Local School District, Nonprofit Organizations, and the Campus Community Through Two Innovative Field Trip Programs

Abstract: We will examine two innovative field trip programs that have been established to engage students in the local school district on the University of Georgia’s campus. Experience UGA brings over 12,000 students a year, while the campus visit program collaborates with local nonprofits and academic units to bring small groups of local students to campus for signature field trip experiences. Both trips include hands-on activities and help demystify the college going experience, with the aim of fostering a sense of excitement about higher education and increasing educational access.

Presenters: Joshua Podvin, Assistant Director, Office of Service-Learning; Shannon O. Brooks, Founding Director, Office of Service-Learning, Alison Bracewell McCullick, Director of Community Relations, University of Georgia 

 Track 1: Building Community

Room-HSC B: Title: From Residential Life to Community Living

Abstract: Johns Hopkins University has a 2-year residency requirement and limited on-campus housing. This requires the majority of their 3rd- and 4th-year students as well as graduate students to live off-campus in the neighboring community. With most of this population having minimal experience searching for housing, navigating lease contracts, and/or understanding local ordinances, Hana and Jon will share programs and strategies that have been successful with guiding students through this process.

Presenters: Jon Walter, Student Community Liaison, Hana Hasan, Manager of the Off-Campus Housing Office, Johns Hopkins University

3: Being Well

Room-McKissick: Title: The History and Future of Collegiate Impaired Driving Prevention: Bringing Communities and Campuses Together to Address the Leading Cause of Alcohol-Related Injury and Death Among College Students

Abstract: During the COVID-19 social disruption there was a notable reversal of the historical downward trend of impaired driving. Young people appear to be leading this disturbing general trend. While there's urgency to deploy effective, community-based prevention programs, this session also steps back to explore where the field of impaired driving prevention has been, focusing especially on collegiate/community efforts. This will help the audience understand better the evidence-based programs, and also where promising efforts are headed. 

Presenter: Jim Lange, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery

Track 4: Crisis Management

Room-Peebles: Title: Collaborative Crisis Management Strategies, A Global Perspective Being Prepared and Learning from Others: A Toolkit For Effectiveness

Abstract: Large-scale crises can have a paralyzing and destabilizing effect on town/gown communities and business continuity, and they pose reputational risk. Such challenges require action in ways that go far beyond an immediate response. But what happens when the crisis doesn’t unfold as expected? How can collaborative governance frameworks be constructed to pivot and respond to these rapidly moving and dynamic events? Hear from LINK Strategic Partners as they present a truly global approach to exploring these issues. This session will assist town-gown practitioners in emergency planning functions and creating robust collaborative frameworks with their respective multi-agency stakeholders. 

Presenters: Poppy Humphrey, Director of Community Engagement, and Jamal Holtz, Special Assistant to the President: Equity, Belonging, Public Affairs, LINK Strategic Partners 

  Track 1: Building Community

Room-HSC A: Title: Research Parks: An Anchor Institution Approach  

Abstract: Research universities located in cities have a unique opportunity to positively impact economic, educational, and civic renewal in surrounding communities as they serve as anchor institutions (unlikely to move). However, without intentional actions to engage surrounding communities, they often do more harm contributing to gentrification and displacement. This session will demonstrate how the university can serve as an anchor institution centered on inclusiveness and equity, and utilize its physical assets to connect and empower adjacent communities. 

Presenter: Chris Burke, Executive Director of Community Relations, The Georgia Institute of Technology   

 Track 1: Building Community

Rooom-HSC B: Title: Managing Advocacy Group Relationships for Multi-Use Trail Development

Abstract: The City of Clemson along with the Friends of the Green Crescent trail have spearheaded a regional trail plan involving several municipalities and the university. There has been a learning curve associated with expectations and realities for produced documents, communication styles and construction time frames. Developing a productive partnership with advocacy groups, municipalities and universities takes time and patience but can help develop stronger relationships and better outcomes.

Presenter: Nathan Hinkle, City of Clemson Engineer 

Track 2: Transforming Relationships

Room-McKissick: Title: From the Classroom to the Community: Leveraging partnerships to benefit both Town and Gown

Abstract: The City of Clemson's Parks and Recreation Department has a purpose driven relationship with Clemson University. The relationship stretches across many departments at the University including but not limited to, the PRTM program, Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.) Program, and Athletic Department. This relationship gives students the opportunity for real world experience in their respective field of study, while simultaneously allowing the community to benefit from their participation and contribution. It's a win win. 

Presenters: Jay Bennett, Director and Lindsey Watley, Program Director, Parks and Recreation Department, City of Clemson; Gwynn Powell, Associate Professor, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University; Tony Tidwell, City of Clemson Horticulturist; Paul Russell, Assistant Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, Clemson University 

 Track 3: Being Well

Room-Peebles: Title: Sustainability and Student Success through Community Collaboration

Abstract: The success of students and the community in which they live are intertwined. Though universities/colleges and city governments support intersecting needs, their partnerships are often disjointed. In this session, Dallas College, Texas’s largest college, and findhelp, the largest US social care platform, will discuss how to strengthen collaboration between higher education institutions, cities, and nonprofit organizations to build a data-informed social care ecosystem to support both students and the wider community.

Presenters: Mark Bowers, Account Executive, findhelp; Carlos E. Cruz, Dean of Student Care Network, Dallas College