Calvin University
EN-13: Community Stakeholder Engagement

Calvin has several mechanisms for systematic assessment of community perceptions of the institutional engagement with community. Most of these assessments are currently program-based. For example, the Office of Community Engagement, situated within the Office of the Provost, enlisted a number of community partners in the development of its strategic plan. Similarly, the Service-Learning Center regularly conducts interviews with community stakeholders to better align our practices with community needs. We received the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagment in 2010 after completing their rigorous application process. Our executive leadership explicitly promotes community engagement as a priority. Part of the 2019 Calvin Strategic Plan is to develop a systematic tracking and documentation of campus-wide community engagement activities. The community’s voice is integrated into institutional or departmental planning for community engagement in several key departments such as nursing, social work, and biology. When community members share in department decision making, it is often done through community advisory boards.

We have well established partners that were developed over time through mutual personal and professional connections. New partnerships have arisen as community partners have reached out to Calvin and when students have initiated the connection. One of the ways Community Partners reach out to Calvin using the following website: http://calvin.edu/slc/opportunities/ One other way to engage new, or deepen existing relationships with, community stakeholders is by requiring the Service-Learning Center Staff to complete 30 site visits (collectively) annually.

The Service-Learning Center maintains a historical list of over 900 partners, categorized by level of commitment. We have attempted to deepen our commitment to a smaller number of these partners (approximately 30 organizations) over the past 5 years. Some of the exceptionally strong partnerships include: Baxter Community Center Bethany Christian Services Cook LIbrary Center American Red Cross United Church Outreach Ministry Madison Square Church North End Community Ministry Creston Neighborhood Association Grand Rapids Parks and Rec The names of additional partners are available on our Carnegie Classification Partnership Grid, including: West Michigan Environmental Action Council Healthy Homes Coalition Inner-City Christian Federation