With pressures to both develop skills necessary for an emerging job market and to develop strong, active, and ethical citizens, higher education institutions are facing a period reform. This article presents a case study of an academic center that strives, as part of its mission, to cultivate civically healthy communities through strategic university-community partnerships. Specifically, the case study examines the role of an academic center hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA program in building the capacity of school district, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations that are individually and collectively seeking to enhance educational resources and opportunities for K-12 homeless students. The article describes the rationale, theory, design, and early results of this partnership, and it suggests implications for both university-community partnerships and national service initiatives.
Download the article here (or click the image below) from the Journal of Nonprofit Management.
Thomas Andrew Bryer 