University of Mount Union
EN-10: Community Partnerships

The Ralph and Mary Regula Center for Public Service at the University of Mount Union is a dedicated office for community outreach. The Center is an office within the institution and operates as part of the College of Applied and Social Sciences while serving the entire University. University funds cover the operating costs, Director’s salary and pay for student employees. The mission of the Regula Center for Public Service and Civic Engagement is to promote civic engagement, community outreach, and experiential learning with an emphasis on ethical decision-making, high standards of inclusivity, ingenuity, and long-lasting partnerships to make positive change. To fulfill this mission the Center coordinates campus-wide community service projects, offers one on one volunteer matching, advising campus organizations about how to engage with the community, and facilitates partnerships with nearly 80 off campus organization partners. The Center has strong relationships within the community and uses these to build partnerships with faculty, staff and students. Each year the Center hosts at least two campus-wide community service projects, assists multiple faculty members with service-learning courses, and connects non-profits with current students. Additionally, the Center educates students about careers in public service, provides voter engagement resources, and brings guest speakers to campus. The Center’s website is www.mountunion.edu/regula-center where annual reports, programming information, and service project registration can be found. Highlights include projects like the Trash to Treasure sale where students donate unwanted items which are then sold with funds supporting the Pay it Forward Program, Raiders Cove, the on-campus food and clothing resource center, Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods to benefit the local pantry and the largest annual event, the MLK Day of Service.

AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS WELCOMES MOUNT UNION AS SISTER UNIVERSITY MARCH 11, 2020 AKRON, Ohio — On Wednesday, March 11, Akron Public Schools (APS) Superintendent David James and Campus Principal Kim Sabetta joined University of Mount Union President Dr. Richard Merriman to announce that University of Mount Union will become a sister university to North High School. As a sister university, Mount Union will work closely with the school and teachers to develop classroom lessons that have integrated, career-themed content; design and present problem-based learning opportunities that incorporate thought-provoking, real-world problem-solving activities; and support the implementation of a college admission testing preparation program. “A sister university greatly enhances the academic experience for our students. We are thrilled at the news that the University of Mount Union has agreed to partner with us at North High School, says Superintendent David James. “We feel this is going to be an effective approach to our students’ path toward higher learning.” “We are excited to be the sister university of Akron North High School. We look forward to helping Akron North students prepare for success in higher education and the workplace,” said Mount Union President Dr. Richard Merriman. “We know that Mount Union’s students and faculty will be greatly enriched by the opportunity to partner with such a dynamic high school.” The collaboration between Akron Public Schools and University of Mount Union was formed with the help of United Way of Summit County. United Way serves as a link between the College and Career Academies of Akron and local businesses to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students and to strengthen the education to employment pipeline in Summit County. “Today’s announcement is a great example of what happens when community partners work together to ensure Akron Public School students have the opportunities and experiences needed to be a success after graduation,” said Jim Mullen, president and CEO of United Way of Summit County. “Our Bold Goals inspire us to bring together partnerships like this one. I am confident University of Mount Union’s work with the College and Career Academies of Akron will help students achieve their goals in the classroom and beyond." About Akron Public Schools: Akron Public Schools (APS) enrolls more than 21,000 students and employs 3,000 teaching and non teaching professionals in Northeastern Ohio. The district, one of the state's largest and most diverse, covers 62 square miles in a city of 195,000. APS educators are committed to rigorous teaching and learning, safe learning centers and community engagement to prepare young people to be well rounded and ready for the challenges of learning that follow in life. The goal of APS is to be the #1 urban school system in the United States. For more information about Akron Public Schools, visit AkronSchools.com. About United Way of Summit County: United Way of Summit County takes on the issues that matter most to children and families in Greater Akron. We pursue Bold Goals through forward-thinking strategies, innovative programs and hands-on work in our community. We team up with private and public leaders, local businesses and thousands of volunteers from across our community to create change that matters. Together, we are hand raisers. Game changers. Because there’s a better future in store for Greater Akron, and the time is now to make it happen. Learn more at uwsummit.org.

The University of Mount Union has a partnership with the City of Alliance Green Commission, and its non-profit arm Green Alliance. These groups have developed detailed Sustainability Plans for both the City and University which outline the path the City and University will need to take in order to be ultimately sustainable, providing economic, environmental, and social health. The groups work together to involve stakeholders in these efforts. All Green Commission meetings are open to the public, and are advertised and reported in the local paper. UMU and the City of Alliance signed a statement of cooperation in 2008 to formalize their work together on sustainability issues. The two entities share research on sustainable operations; they support one another in "identifying and securing funding sources for sustainability initiatives". The University provides use of facilities at no cost, as well as use of computers for city carbon inventory and related research items. The groups cooperate on education, with the City offering opportunities for student internships. Members of the UMU faculty and staff have serving on Green Alliance and the Green Commission since 2007. Also, community members are welcome on UMU's Sustainability management Advisory Committee. Most recently the 2 groups are working on the issue of Resiliency Planning. For more information: http://www.greenallianceohio.org/index.html

Information from Abby Schroeder and UMU Webpage.