Institutionalizing University-Community Engagement

Abstract

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been transforming itself into an engaged university. This paper explains the regional context, steps taken to bring about change, linkage between committed leadership and institutionalization of change, and the resulting institutional structures. Key to the process was a working team that visited every academic and service department to uncover the extent of existing engagement and the barriers to further engagement. Currently, the campus is trying to follow up on this process.