This session includes multiple presentations. Timestamps are indicated in parentheses so you can forward to the presentation you want to view.

Anchor institutions, coalitions and collective impact approaches: More than the sum of the parts (00:00)

Presented by Alan Delmerico, Laura Hill Rao, and Talia Rodriguez, Buffalo State College; Kevin Aman, Rich Products

Broad and robust community partnerships are essential for the success of institutions of higher education in fulfilling the Anchor Mission. Collective impact approaches which leverage the position of Anchor institutions as backbone organizations are a key strategy deserving of more attention and discussion. A backbone organization such as a higher education institution or corporate partner can provide essential infrastructure support including space, technology, procurement supports, professional development, management and more. Higher education Anchors and corporate anchors are naturally aligned to serving as central and coordinating bodies within coalition structures and other collaborative collective impact approaches. These Anchors and their community-based peers bring the power to convene diverse community partners, technical and scientific expertise, experience in governance and strategic and action planning, and the stability to propel collaborative community-based projects. A case study of the West Side Promise Neighborhood coalition in Buffalo, NY will be exhibited, demonstrating the multi-anchor supports provided by Buffalo State College and Rich Products Corporation and their support of Anchor Mission-aligned coalition efforts and impacts. A discussion of challenges and future directions will also be included, including how these approaches might be integrated into the current quantification of Anchor efforts and impacts within the metrics of the Anchor Learning Network.

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Case study: A university-community partnership in health equity (32:51)

Presented by Jamie Byrne-McCollum, University of Arkansas–Little Rock

The University of Arkansas-Little Rock and the American Cancer Society worked together to provide funding for raised garden beds in the University District area of Little Rock to help address food insecurity. Takeaways would include the value of a metropolitan university having a dedicated University District where it can focus time, resources and talents; the value of faculty being involved with the University District as well as with community non-profit organizations; and that this work can occur in an environment where the participants are not in a face-to-face environment.