February 2025
As I sit at the midway (ish) point of my tenure as the inaugural British President (Queen) of the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA), reflecting on the journey thus far fills me with immense pride and gratitude. Taking the helm after the inspiring leadership of my predecessors, in my case the legendary Cory Peterson, Associate Vice President of Community Engagement and Local Government Affairs at Georgetown University, I find myself repeating the sentiment I shared on stage during our successful conference in Maryland in 2024 that I was “standing on the shoulders of giants”
ITGA simply wouldn’t be in the strong position it currently enjoys without all the hard work and dedication of Cory and many more Presidents before him. Each volunteer has provided leadership, guidance and support for our association and managed to bring us all through the difficulties of the pandemic to emerge as a viable non-profit that is needed by its membership now more than ever.
Of course, it would be remiss of me not to mention here the dedicated and hard working paid ITGA staff members, without whom ITGA would be a very different vehicle. Beth and Susan are the glue that holds us all together and I am eternally grateful to have been given the opportunity to work so closely with them having been a board member for a number of years – they are the epitome of professionalism and look forward to our weekly meetings (audience with the Queen) immensely.
In a first for ITGA staff this year, we appointed a marketing and communications student intern from Waterloo University in Canada – Micky Tatra will be working with us in the lead up to conference and I am delighted to have overseen the introduction of this position. Big thanks to AJ and the TGAO for the opportunity and guidance on our first student internship. Providing student employability and hearing the student voice is a fundamental part of what we should do in town/gown arena’s and I am optimistic that working with Micky in this way will enrich the ITGA offer.
The past year has been nothing short of transformative for ITGA. Following the memorable Maryland conference, where we set the stage for ambitious initiatives, including the ideation of our strategic plan. The momentum continued with the Professional Development Committee delivering several impactful webinars, addressing critical topics for Town and Gown members such as how to deal with large unauthorised gatherings and Housing Access, where I had the privilege to participate alongside esteemed colleagues like Krisan Osterby, Campus Planning Leader, DLR Group and Dr AJ Wray, Western University, London, Ontario.
In parallel, I am aware of an immense amount of work that is being delivered by our ITGA Committees. My own involvement with the International Committee alongside AJ Wray, Joe Maspo, Assistant Director, Off Campus Student Life, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Tasheik Kerr, Assistant to the City Manager of Evanston, Chicago and Bethany Alex, the former Director of Outreach at Florida Atlantic University has been particularly rewarding. Together, we are laying the groundwork for future collaborations, including reaching out to universities across Europe and even the Caribbean — a venture that promises exciting possibilities for the ITGA community. Get involved with ITGA!
In November of 2024 we held the successful UKTGA conference which I was proud to host in my home city of Manchester, England. This event not only reinforced our commitment to fostering community engagement but also strengthened our global network. Huge thanks to all of our “American Cousins” who made the journey across the pond to join us – we had lots of fun and learnt a great deal from one another.
Immediately after the UKTGA conference, ITGA board members held the annual retreat in Manchester which provided a crucial platform for planning and collaboration on the future of our association. We had some deep discussions about the direction of travel for ITGA and took some time to reflect on how far the association has come since its inception. As a board we made some vital decisions on our strategic direction and I made sure we sampled some Manchester hospitality along the way which may have concluded in a ball pit inside a pub – I can’t confirm or deny!
Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate passing on the baton at our upcoming conference from June 4-6th, 2025. This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter under the leadership of Greg McDanel, City Manager of Seaside, Monterey County, California. Greg will spearhead the launch of ITGA’s ambitious Strategic and Operational Plan, setting the stage for continued growth and impact.
The ITGA Board recently voted to retain the President position for two-year terms going forward so Greg will be our leader until 2027 – this will enable a consistent approach to our strategic plan and provide continuity of leadership for our members. I will continue to support Greg during his tenure as the Past President (or Dowager Queen) and I look forward to continuing the work we have started.
As I reflect on my tenure thus far, it has been a profound honour to serve as President (Queen) of ITGA. The dedication and passion of our members inspire me daily, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities (of which there are many) that lie ahead in the months leading to our next conference. Join us on this journey—get your tickets and be part of the future of ITGA. Register Now!
The view from this small island is not just about geography—it's about perspective, collaboration, and the collective drive to build stronger communities worldwide. Together, we shape the future of town and gown relations, one conference, one webinar, one initiative at a time.
Cooper Healey
President (Queen) of the ITGA
Manager – Manchester Student Homes – Manchester UK.