2012 NOSC

ROLE M

ODELS:

HOW A

CADEMIC

STA

FF

EXPER

TISE

CAN COM

PLEM

ENT

FACULT

Y ENGAGEM

ENT

OCTOBER 2

, 2012

BETH T

RYON &

KAT

HERIN

E A. L

OVING

UNIVER

SITY

WIS

CONSIN-M

ADISON

SUSAN B. H

ARDEN, UNC C

HARLOTT

E

DEBORAH B

AILEY,

NORTH C

AROLINA

CENTR

AL

FRAMING QUESTION

Faculty to academic staff: “What is it exactly that you do?”

While recent research is rich regarding the impact of civic or community engagement initiatives on students (Jacoby, 2009) and faculty (Boyte and Fretz, 2011; Presley, 2011; O’Meara, 2011), the implications of the expansion of the engagement mission on staff is less known (Kiyama, Lee, & Rhoades, 2012).

Outreach and engagement staff are profiled as “boundary-spanners,” as they are responsible for the interacting with partners outside of the institution and “community-based problem solvers,” implying that the skills characterizing the work of outreach and engagement staff are largely process-oriented and hands-on, managing the daily tasks involved with advancing the partnership (Weerts & Sandman, 2008, 2010).

Clarity around staff roles can enhance faculty engagement and avoid role conflict.

COMMUNITY-CAMPUS BOUNDARY SPANNERS: AN EMERGING PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY

• Not tenure track personnel• Similar roles, functions & status in the

university structure• Shared skills and values• Common challenges and strengths

Functions Sample Tasks Sample RolesRelate Bring people together

Understand interestsGather information

Networker/ConnectorMatchmakerConciergeClearinghouse

Innovate Reframe issuesDevelop new approachesTest new ideas

EntrepreneurInnovatorVisionary

Cultivate Build capacityPrepare environmentDevelop leadershipBuild infrastructure

Community organizerPromoterCatalystNurturer

Collaborate Structure partnershipsCreate inclusive environmentsMaintain relationshipsNegotiate power 

Translator/InterpreterBrokerGatekeeperMediatorDiplomat

Facilitate Lead and design processesAdvance initiatives

Problem solverSurrogateShepherdConvener

Evaluate MeasureDocumentDescribeImprove

Meaning makerStorytellerProgram evaluator

Communicate UnderstandShareExchange

PublicistReporterMedia specialist

Educate LearnApply Disseminate

StudentTeacherTrainer

Advocate Change systemsDevelop resourcesProtect partnershipsEnsure equity

AgitatorPersuaderProtectorFundraiser

Administrate Demonstrate accountabilityManage resources

CoordinatorSupervisorManager

Table 1: Outreach and Engagement Staff Boundary Spanners: Functions, tasks, & roles

Compiled in April 2009 from CPO Staff Network meeting notes, revised October 2009 by participants in CPO professional development workshop, revised October 2010 by participants in the national Outreach and Engagement Staff Workshop.

WHAT IS IT EXACTLY THAT YOU DO???

FOCUS GROUP RESEARCH 2007-2008

3 groups of community/faculty partners asked:

“What would help you most with building community-campus partnerships?”

Issues sorted into 5 main areas:

Fit

Balance of Power

Capacity

Limiting Requirements

Short-term Challenge

Charge is to answer some/all of these issues with new infrastructure

SCIENCE SHOPS

COMMUNITY-UNIVERSITY EXCHANGESpring 2011: CUE South Madison pilot7 faculty/academic staff5 community partnersUndergrads/grad supervisors

Fall 2011:Expand CUE South MadisonAdd new project areas

~ Evaluated Summer 2011