St. John's University, New York
EN-13: Community Stakeholder Engagement

In addition, the Division of External Relations promotes ongoing engagement with the St. John’s community, its students and neighbors in order to embody the Vincentian mission of service, academic excellence and global outreach. The following Division of External Relations Goals are aligned to conform with the Institutional Goals of the University. I. Promote the University’s 2013 Strategic Plan in all communications available to the Division of External Relations, and publicize St. John’s core values as one of the nation’s largest Catholic institutions. II. Identify those strengths and weaknesses that the Division of External Relations has in order to build a sustainable advantage to compete with similar institutions of higher education. III. Foster relationships with key external entities to influence federal, state and local policy, while developing and engaging supporters as global ambassadors for St. John’s University. IV. Utilize expert leadership within the University to participate in meaningful dialogue with community leaders, elected officials and media representatives, to deliver key messaging for St. John’s. V. Create awareness of important issues impacting higher education with St. John’s taking a lead role to address key issues that target community, government and media trends that alter today’s ever changing news cycle.

The Division of External Relations is made up of three offices: 1. Community Relations "The Office is responsible for breaking down barriers and improving communication with the development of its Queens and Staten Island Dialogue Group Meetings – open to citizens, community representatives and local politicians. In addition, special events and University sponsored activities are held to further promote goodwill among the neighboring communities St. John’s impacts." 2. Government Relations "Provides University outreach and promotes issue advocacy to all local, state and federal elected officials representing the four metropolitan campuses of The University. Monitors pending legislation at all levels of government and conducts public policy research and analysis of new government regulations. Informs the University of new government initiatives and their affect on higher education. Identifies and works to secure grants, appropriations and new government funding. 3. Media Relations "We work with outside external constituent groups as a liaison for the University. The Division also serves as St. John’s spokesperson for all issues, statements and announcements in handling all external communications." External Relations has cultivated successful working relationships with the following: » New York and national press corps » Political representatives from local, state/federal governments » Citizens and community groups that surround SJU campuses

Community Stakeholders: • American Cancer Society - Queens and Staten Island Divisions (ACS) • Association for a Better New York (ABNY) • Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) • Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) • Fair Media Council (Long Island) • Government Affairs Professionals (GAP) • National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) • New York Blood Services Community Relations Council • New York Organ Donors Network • New York Press Club • NY Rising – Community Reconstruction Program (Oakdale, NY – Committee Member) • Public Affairs Council • Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) • Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) • Queens, Staten Island and Jamaica Chambers of Commerce • St. John’s Bread & Life Program (Brooklyn – Advisory Board) • St. John’s Preparatory Board of Trustees

Outcomes: -Working with New York Blood Services the University has had successful blood drive donations the past several years. In 2012 (Calendar Year), St. John’s amassed 1,520 pints of blood donated with its Blood Drive initiatives. -In the first year working with the NY Organ Donor Network, 677 students were signed up to be organ donors. -St. John's University is a flagship sponsor for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and have had an increase in the number of students participating and monies raised each year. In 2012, we had over 700 SJU participants, raising over $30,000 on the Queens Campus and $10,000 on the Staten Island Campus, while the Relay for Life campaign raised over $80,000 for the American Cancer Society. -Increased and strengthened relationships with local state and federal representatives and coordinated several successful visits of local elected officials and/or their staffs to the St.John’s Bread and Life facility. The Finance Committee promoted greater student engagement as an administrative liaison to both the College Democrats, College Republicans and other student organizations on campus. Lastly,secured over $11.3 million in government funding to support University programs. More Information about the Division of External Relations can be found via their presentation at : http://www.stjohns.edu/sites/default/files/documents/hr/showcase-external-relations-2013.pdf

Information for this section has been adapted from the 2013 Division of External Relations HR Showcase Presentation (October 29,2013). The URL to this presentation is: http://www.stjohns.edu/sites/default/files/documents/hr/showcase-external-relations-2013.pdf