University of Louisville
EN-13: Community Stakeholder Engagement

The university Strategic Plan The 2020 Plan: Making it Happen describes the university's commitment to community engagement and reinforces the concept of a "Citizen University." Future growth of initiatives in the Signature Partnership, Ideas to Action (i2a), Student Affairs and in each academic unit will result in significant increases in our community service projects and community-based instructional and research efforts. In the Carnegie Community Engagement application the university was asked "How does the institution classify community-engaged scholarship (service, scholarship of application, other)?" In response we answered that "the university is engaged in an on going conversation about how to best define community engagement. The university's basic construct for community engagement is embedded in teaching, research and service."

Primarily through the signature partnership approach. The Signature Partnership is a University effort to enhance the quality of life and economic opportunity for residents of West Louisville. The goal is to work with various community partners to improve the education, health, residents, and social status of individuals and families who live in our urban core. Working closely with community, residents, Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville Metro Government, Metro United Way, the Urban League, faith based organizations, and many others the University has coordinated and enhanced existing programs and launched new programs designed to eliminate or reduce disparities that West Louisville residents experience in education, health, economic and social conditions. The University is drawing upon the expertise and energy of faculty, staff, and students from every school and college at UofL to deal with the quality of life issues affecting our community.

The University of Louisville / Community Partnership Board of Advisors includes the following representatives of community stakeholders outside of UofL: Educational organizations: Dr. Frank Smith (CO-CHAIR) Executive Vice President Simmons College of Kentucky Dr. Diane Calhoun-French Provost and VP for Academic and Student Affairs Jefferson Community and Technical College Private sector organizations: Mrs. Deborah Benberry-Williams Vice President, PNC Bank Mrs. Jill J. Bell Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Passport Health Plans Ms. Donna McDonald President West Louisville Business Association Government agencies: Mr. Michael Gritton Executive Director, Kentuckiana Works Religious organizations: Rev. Vincent E. James, Sr. President Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition Civil Society: Ms. Jennifer Helgeson President and CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana Ms. Mary Gwen Wheeler Executive Director, 55,000 Degrees Mr. Larry McDonald President The Lincoln Foundation Mr. Tony Peyron Program Officer CE&S Foundation Mr. Joe Tolan Executive Director, Metro United Way Ms. Grace Lewis Community at Large Ms. Bonnie Cole Community at Large

University of Louisville Community Partnerships, 2014-15 Through the partnerships created during the 2014-15 academic year, faculty, staff and students have become engaged in the local, state-wide, national and international community through engaged teaching, research and service. Students have given more than 447,000 hours of service through the 1,214 reported community partnerships. According to the Independent Sector, the value of UofL volunteer time in 2014-15 was an estimated $9,086,206.