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ne of the core values of Washburn university and assist in ensuring state-wide coordination University affirms the university’s of higher education. Service in community and dedication to its role in the professional organizations by faculty and staff provides community, being “closely informal venues to identify such opportunities. engaged with the community Obeyond the campus, providing services and The composition of the WBOR broadly mirrors the outreach activities that enhance the social interests of the community and the state. As noted in and economic vitality of the region.” the Introduction, members are appointed by elected authorities or representative bodies, including the In support of this core value, the university works with governor, the mayor of Topeka, the Shawnee County business and industry, health care providers, government, Commission, and the Kansas Board of Regents. The social agencies, civic organizations, and public schools WEA Board of Trustees is comprised of some of providing service to and engagement with the greater Washburn’s most talented and respected donors and Topeka community in a variety of ways. Through leaders; this board has a diverse national perspective. volunteer efforts in service organizations and professional The Washburn Alumni Association reaches out to support of area businesses, Washburn University approximately 31,000 alumni living in all 50 states and students, faculty, and staff enhance the community in several foreign countries. Alumni provide valuable which they live and study. feedback on external needs and how Washburn can meet those needs. The university president, the vice Earlier criteria focus on Washburn’s responsiveness and president for academic affairs, and other staff service to internal constituencies, so this chapter will focus participate in meetings of the Kansas Board of Regents, mainly on external constituencies. Curricular and the coordinating board of all postsecondary institutions cocurricular activities that provide significant examples of in Kansas. Through their participation, Washburn engagement and service will be addressed. University is aware of the educational initiatives occurring throughout postsecondary education in CORE COMPONENT 5a Kansas, allowing Washburn to contribute to these The organization learns from the educational initiatives as well. constituencies it serves and analyzes its capacity to serve their needs and Washburn Alumni Association reaches out expectations. to approximately 31,000 alumni in all 50 states and several foreign countries. Washburn University utilizes and analyzes community input to determine whether the needs of external constituencies are being met. Washburn is involved with area agencies on many community initiatives, including art, cultural affairs, COMMUNITY INPUT business development, community planning, and Washburn uses formal institutional structures and neighborhood development, so the university is able to informal mechanisms to obtain community input. identify community needs and respond to them with Formal structures, such as the Washburn Board of appropriate programming. Noteworthy partnerships Regents (WBOR), the Washburn Endowment between the university and the community include service Association (WEA) Board of Trustees, the Washburn to the national crime reduction program (Weed and Seed), Alumni Association, and the Kansas Board of Regents, United Way, American Red Cross, Topeka Chamber of provide regional, national, and global perspectives on Commerce, Go Topeka, Friends of Mulvane, and Friends potential service and engagement opportunities for the of Mabee Library.

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ANALYSIS Although participation of faculty and staff in Although the advisory boards primarily provide community organizations provides a venue for advice on curricular issues, their input is also used to determining community needs, no formal surveys determine how the university can partner with the of external entities have been conducted to determine community. As a result of input from these advisory if Washburn is meeting the needs of the community boards, a number of initiatives have been implemented due to the complexities of the task. In addition, there on campus. Examples include the mobile health clinic, is no formal mechanism for staff to report their the Associated Topeka Libraries Automated System participation in community organizations as Washburn (ATLAS), and the Mulvane Art Outreach program. representatives.

Community input and a formal needs analysis process SUMMARY may result in the implementation of new programs. Significant examples of this process are the sonography Strengths certificate program, the master’s in nursing, and the Washburn University offers a wide array of educational Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). These programs, services, and resources to the community. programs were created based on community demand, Based on analysis of community needs, appropriate which was validated through an internal review programs have been created. These programs are process. Ongoing support of community-based consistent with one of the university’s core values to be programs demonstrates both capacity for and “closely engaged with the community beyond the commitment to one of Washburn’s core values, to campus, providing services and outreach activities that be an educational resource for the region. enhance the social and economic vitality of the region.”

The Division of Continuing Education uses a variety Challenges and Opportunities of methods for assessing the professional development Although anecdotal information suggests community needs within the community and for evaluating the needs are being met, formal data has not been collected quality of its training and education programs. These from constituencies to determine effectiveness due to methods include post-program evaluation, advisory the complexities of gathering such data. committee consultation, client training needs analyses, literature review, attendance at professional meetings, CORE COMPONENT 5b instructor meetings, surveys, and consultants. As a result The organization has the capacity and the of this assessment, Continuing Education has developed commitment to engage with its identified a series of workshops for members of the community. constituencies and communities.

Analysis of the NSSE data identifies a potential concern Washburn University is proud of its unique position as with the level of community service or volunteer work the only remaining municipal institution. A significant by Washburn students. However, the recently created component of the character of a municipal institution is Learning in the Community (LinC): The Center for engagement with the community. Informally, this Community Service and Civic Engagement and the character is demonstrated by the mix of campus and community service component of the Washburn community participants at events such as lectures, Transformational Experience will provide additional poetry and fiction readings, theater performances, opportunities for students to participate in such concerts, and sports events. Formally, this engagement activities. The impact on Washburn students who have is demonstrated through a planning process committed participated in existing service initiatives is positive. to engagement and service, through support structures, through processes and resources devoted to community

104 Washburn University CRITERION FIVE ENGAGEMENT AND SERVICE service, and through cocurricular and curricular funds for projects that will benefit a variety of external programs engaged with external constituents. constituencies. These projects include: the Kansas Institute for Politics (state and local government), the PLANNING PROCESS COMMITTED TO renovation of the football stadium and the addition of ENGAGEMENT AND SERVICE a pavilion, the renovation of Lee Arena, the renovation Washburn’s Strategic Planning: 2007 and Beyond of the Planetarium and Observatory, the renovation of brochure identifies enhancing community service the Mulvane Art Museum, the renovation of White programs including outreach as a priority. The Concert Hall, and endowed lecture series. majority of programs discussed throughout this criterion, such as KTWU, the Sunflower Music CAPACITY FOR SERVICE AND Festival, and LinC, receive at least partial support ENGAGEMENT annually from Washburn’s general fund. As such, these Washburn is proud of the myriad of activities that are programs are a part of the annual budgeting process for taking place at the institution. The Washburn University new and sustaining funds, reflecting the institution’s website has been designed to provide constituent ongoing commitment to these initiatives. communities with information about these events. The university has created offices to facilitate service and In support of its core value of serving as an educational resource for the community, Washburn University has created opportunities for various sectors of the population to participate in academic classes with significant tuition reductions or tuition waivers. Each semester the university invites senior citizens to take advantage engagement and provides a single point of access to both of Washburn's academic offerings through the over-65 internal and external constituencies. Facility reservation audit program. Kansas residents who are 65 and over is now almost exclusively handled online, with the participate in classroom discussions and laboratory scheduling of academic courses remaining within the and field work. The institution also provides tuition realm of Academic Affairs. Although the entire campus waivers for children who have been in the state foster is available to the community, White Concert Hall, the care system. In addition, Washburn offers educational Mulvane Museum, the Crane Observatory, Mabee programs for high school students. Partnering with Library, Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, and the area public schools, the Washburn Early College Memorial Union are particularly important venues used Education Program (WECEP) offers selected courses extensively by the public. for these students at a reduced rate at public school sites. As part of the university’s ongoing effort for continuous The Washburn Endowment Association (WEA) works improvement in the realm of communication, a task on fundraising development projects that have been force has been appointed to review the website to identified by the university as important in meeting its ensure this mechanism of communication is effective mission. Over the past several years, WEA has raised and easy to use.

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Budgeting and curriculum-creation processes allow Leadership Organization’s (HALO) commitment to effective collaboration with both external and internal provide opportunities for area students to explore constituent communities. As a result, several university campus life. units have established effective academic programs to connect Washburn with the community-at-large. Career Services provides opportunities for Washburn’s decision-making structure allows for interaction among students, alumni, employees, timely responses to constituent needs. The following and the university to promote lifelong career are examples of such responses: development. Recently, in response to community The School of Applied Studies developed a needs, Career Services instituted a health career fair. sonography certificate program in response to requests by the medical community. The Leadership Institute partnered with the Kansas state treasurer and the Kansas Credit Union The Education Department created a Professional Association to help sixth, seventh, and eighth graders Development School (PDS) model in response to develop an understanding of finance. The the education community. Money$mart Financial Management’s “Dollars and Sense” Camp has been successfully conducted two The College of Arts and Sciences partnered with times and a third is planned for 2008. the University of Kansas to implement a federally- funded mentor/tutor program (TRIO) for first- One potential challenge is the lack of physical space to generation students. After the federal funding accommodate new academic initiatives. Some programs, expired, the vice president for academic affairs took such as the sonography certificate program and the PDS responsibility for the continued support of the Education Department initiative, are staffed by existing Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). faculty and have been incorporated into academic departments or conducted in facilities off-campus. Washburn University added a Master of Science in However, locating office space for the more broad-based nursing (MSN) program in fall 2005 and met a support functions, such as the student-focused Educational state-provided match in fall 2007 to hire additional Opportunity Program and the faculty-focused Grants nursing faculty to enlarge the BSN program in an Office, was a major challenge. Washburn’s engagement attempt to ease the critical nursing shortage in additional initiatives requiring space will require an nationwide. implementation plan that identifies the proposed funding mechanism and a plan for housing any additional staff. In response to the faculty’s identified need for assistance in attaining external grant funding in the COMMITMENT TO ENGAGEMENT Academic Strategic Plan, a Grants Office was AND SERVICE created in 2005 and a grants officer was hired to Washburn is deeply committed to being an integral direct the program. part of the community, state, and region. Washburn University has made this commitment a part of its Cocurricular units are also engaged with the core values and strives to maintain a wide variety of community. Examples of this engagement include: relevant, responsive resources to meet the needs of Recognizing the diversity among the student population, these identified constituencies and communities. The Multicultural Affairs provides services to students and programs identified on the following page represent a the community through the Black Student Union’s cross-section of those from across campus and highlight involvement with a mentor/tutoring program at Topeka some of the ways Washburn serves and interacts with High School and through the Hispanic American these constituencies and communities.

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Cocurricular Programs collaboration. These organizations strive to incorporate Professional development programs in many career at least one volunteer activity into their annual activities. areas are offered through Washburn’s Division of Each Greek chapter identifies a major philanthropy and Continuing Education. In keeping with the mission works with local and national organizations such as the of the university, Continuing Education has a broad Susan G. Komen Foundation, Service for Sight, Youth mandate to extend the resources of the university to AIDS Foundation, CASA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and meet the educational needs of individuals, businesses, the Red Cross. The Washburn Student Government and organizations in Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, Association participates in community service initiatives and beyond, through quality educational events. such as the Central Topeka Turnaround Team (a Continuing education programs include the Kan-Be- grassroots neighborhood improvement program for Healthy program that certifies registered nurses as central Topeka, including neighborhoods adjacent to the child health assessment providers; seminars provided campus) and Project Topeka (collecting cans of food for by the Joint Center on Violence and Victims Studies to organizations serving Topekans in need). The Campus address issues of violence and victimization; courses to Activities Board contributes to the social, educational, teach professionals to properly converse with Spanish and cultural activities for all members of the community speaking employees and customers; and Human by hosting speakers, films, and entertainment. Students Resource programs to prepare professionals for who serve on the Student Alumni Association Board the PHR/SPHR certification exams. (SAAB) support alumni activities.

The Community-Based Work Study program allows students who qualify for federal work study to earn their financial aid by volunteering with a nonprofit organization in the community. A federal mandate requires at least seven percent of work study awards be made to students who have these community-based positions. In fall 2004, LinC was awarded a Jumpstart Ameri- Over the past few years, LinC has collaborated with the Corps grant providing education awards to students university’s Financial Aid Office to increase the number committing at least 300 hours of service over the of community-based awards. In 2005-06, 65 students academic year. These students were paired with participated and in 2006-07, 70 participated. children from low-income families attending a local preschool or Head Start to work on literacy, language, The Office of Student Activities and Greek Life and social skills. After two years, the partnership was (SAGL) offers students and members of the university dissolved because of funding cuts to Jumpstart. The community opportunities to build friendships and students who had participated in this program decided rewarding experiences through cocurricular involvement the work was too important to disappear, and it was in student organizations. Some of these student resurrected in fall 2006 as a student-run project called organizations are affiliated with civic organizations in LEAP (Literacy Education Action Project). The the community, which increases the community-campus program continues to operate in two local preschools

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serving a total of 60 children in low-income areas of service activities originating from the Center; mentor- the community. ship and mini-grants to faculty who want to incorpor- ate service learning into their classes; and mini-grants Washburn was awarded $8,500 a year for three years as to assist students with the implementation of their part of a project supported through a grant from the service projects. Corporation for National and Community Service. There are 20 schools participating in this Network. Curricular Programs The focus of the grant is to promote Community-Based Washburn University is committed to the core value Research (CBR), which is a collaborative and mutually that education should be offered and accessible to all. beneficial enterprise between academic researchers Washburn is responsive to nontraditional students and (professors and students) and the community that has students who find it difficult to take courses on campus as its goal social action and social change for the due to location, lifestyle, or economic circumstances; purpose of achieving social justice. Examples of projects Washburn offers flexible scheduling and online course completed to date include: evaluation of a Literacy options to assist these students. Many departments offer Education Action Project; a survey of law enforcement evening and online courses and some departments offer and judicial personnel regarding the death penalty in weekend classes. Human services, criminal justice, Kansas; and research for the Brown v Board of allied health, and office, legal and technology administration offer all courses required for the major online. The Partnership for Learning and Networking (PLAN) initiative expands access to higher education throughout Kansas.

As previously discussed in core component 3c, Education National Historic Site. The community the Center for the Study and Practice of Leadership partner organization works with faculty in all stages of was created to facilitate the advancement of leadership the research process, which typically lasts the course of education and development across the university a semester (about four months) and can involve a community. Its mission is to develop and use resources selected number of students or an entire class. CBR is to prepare participants to make an immediate an opportunity to build bridges between Washburn contribution via leadership roles in their professions University and community-based organizations that and communities. In addition to participating in a set serve the greater Topeka community. of courses designed to help students develop their leadership skills and potential, all Leadership Institute Finally, to facilitate effective service and engagement, students assist with RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership LinC serves as a clearinghouse for volunteer oppor- Academy), a summer academy for Kansas high school tunities for students, faculty, or staff searching for sophomores and juniors. Moreover, students engage in volunteer placement and for students fulfilling the a campus or community action project to address an service learning component of a class. It also offers identified need. tracking and reporting of all student community

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Academic departments understand that combining real- offers an extensive array of credit and noncredit world experience with lecture and coursework makes programs that serve youth and adults, businesses and learning more meaningful for the students and, in many nonprofit organizations, and many diverse populations cases, provides a service to the community. Departments in the community. have developed a variety of approaches to make their programs relevant and to provide students with a global Washburn has a very strong culture of community understanding of their profession. Baccalaureate service as evidenced by the creation of LinC: The students in human services are required to complete four Center for Community Service and Civic Engagement internships; there are more than 150 agency affiliations and by the hundreds of students, faculty, and staff who supporting this program. Nursing and allied health participate in the Center’s programs each year. students engage in required clinical rotations in a wide variety of medical settings. The School of Nursing has Internships and fieldwork built into academic 115 agency contracts; baccalaureate students will interact programs provide extensive, real-life experiences for with a minimum of eight agencies and graduate students students to learn skills they will need when they enter with nine. In the allied health fields, there are 241 their chosen profession and provide thousands of hours agency contracts in 36 states, and undergraduate of assistance to local schools, businesses, and nonprofit students will have field experience in up to eight organizations each year. agencies. The education department annually sponsors a program to provide reading tutorials to children in the Challenges and Opportunities mountain communities of Jamaica. A detailed list of As part of the university’s ongoing effort for continuous opportunities is provided online to highlight the wide improvement in the realm of communication, a task force variety of experiences available. has been appointed to review the website to ensure this mechanism of communication is effective and easy to use. Since many of the curricular partnerships are long standing, this demonstrates informally the value of the If new projects are initiated, additional space may be programs to the community. Currently, evaluation is in needed. Rehabilitation of existing buildings has included the form of student performance reviews. However, consideration of space utilization; however, Washburn’s formal feedback collected periodically would ensure engagement in future initiatives requiring additional space programs benefit not only the university, but also its will now require the presentation of an implementation community partners. plan that identifies not only the proposed funding mechanism, but also a plan for housing any additional staff. SUMMARY The university continues to be responsive to new Strengths programs and initiatives that serve the community. Because the university is deeply committed to being an The recent addition of the Community-Based Research integral part of the community, state, and region, its project that connects classes with the community is an programs, services, physical spaces, and resources are initiative with the potential to be expanded to provide liberally shared with its constituencies. additional community support without requiring additional on-campus space. The institution has been innovative in providing accessible educational experiences for nontraditional While departments offering internships/practica to and place-bound students through evening, weekend, their students generally solicit student feedback about short-term, and online courses. In addition, Washburn their experience and agency feedback about the

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students’ performance, feedback on the value to the partnerships (e.g., WECEP, new health-related and community is not currently being sought. education programs, Leadership Institute) have been discussed in other core components. CORE COMPONENT 5c The organization demonstrates its MOBILITY OF LEARNERS responsiveness to those constituencies Washburn University has created articulation that depend on it for service. policies regarding university and general education requirements for transfer students who have completed Washburn University understands the needs of its associate or baccalaureate degrees. The articulation constituents are dynamic. The university has formal policies, which appear in the University Catalog, specify and informal processes to assess community needs and that students with previous baccalaureate degrees are respond appropriately. To date, responses have included considered to have satisfied the requirements common flexible delivery of academic programs, involvement in to all baccalaureate degrees. Students with completed community service, and collaborative partnerships associate degrees may utilize courses taken while responding to critical needs. As evidence for this core pursuing their associate degrees as general education component, significant academic collaborations, credit toward their baccalaureate Washburn degrees in processes which support the mobility of learners, and the appropriate distribution groupings. A significant service activities are described. component of the ongoing general education review will be an analysis of existing transfer articulation EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS agreements. Washburn offers two programs that make two- and four-year degrees more accessible to residents of Kansas. The School of Applied Studies offers a number Washburn has formed educational of joint programs in conjunction with Kaw Area partnerships designed to expand access to Technical School (KATS) that lead to an associate higher education throughout Kansas. degree from Washburn University. These programs require course work at both Kaw Area Technical School and Washburn. PLAN (Partnership for Transfer courses that have been approved for university Learning and Networking) is a collaborative set of 2+2 or general education requirements are posted in the baccalaureate degree completion programs which Transfer Guides available on the Admissions website. expand access to higher education throughout Kansas. Transfer students who have not completed baccalaureate The program allows students to complete an associate or associate degrees at another institution must petition degree at a community college and then a bachelor's to have university and general education requirements degree online from Washburn. Since the inception of approved if Washburn’s academic departments have not the program, articulation agreements have been signed evaluated their particular transfer courses as direct with 20 Kansas community colleges and five technical transfer equivalencies. Transfer equivalencies are colleges. Approximately 60 students earn degrees in determined by the individual departments that offer the PLAN academic programs annually. Washburn university-required or general education courses in continues to encourage faculty to create online general question. Students who have completed courses not education courses so PLAN students have a variety of equivalent to courses offered at Washburn University options to fulfill degree requirements; however, the may petition the general education committee for number of general education course offerings continues approval. The General Education Transfer Course to be more limited for online students than for on- Petition is available to students at the VPAA website. campus students. Additional academic collaborative

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Washburn University has been an active participant Life Span in the Kansas Core Outcomes Project since its inception The university serves constituents of a variety of ages in in 1999. The purpose of this project is to develop Topeka and northeast Kansas. The following partial core outcomes and competencies for general education list of university activities demonstrates Washburn’s courses at the state’s colleges and universities. Kansas commitment to provide lifelong learning opportunities community colleges, the six Regents’ universities, and to people of all ages. Washburn University meet annually to review and As a public broadcasting station licensed to Washburn potentially modify previously established outcomes University, KTWU offers educational programming and to discuss transfer concerns identified by partici- for people of all ages and interests. One noteworthy pating institutions. The result of this core competencies program is the partnership of KTWU with the project has been to standardize content and skills Topeka Public Schools and eight other organizations taught in similar courses throughout the state to in hosting the READY TO LEARN program. This assist students who transfer from one state public partnership is made possible through an educational institution to another. grant to help low-income preschools prepare children for school by providing READY TO LEARN SERVING DIVERSE CONSTITUENCIES curriculum and trainers. The university sponsors and hosts a number of cultural, fine art, and sports activities designed to serve diverse Washburn University offers the use of the campus constituencies within the Topeka community, for the Melody Brown Fun Factory (Fine Arts providing lifelong learning opportunities. Camp for ages five to eight), Sunflower State Games (Kansas Olympics for all ages), and the Multicultural Student Relay for Life (grade school to college age). The university is involved in a variety of initiatives for members of under-represented racial, ethnic, and Washburn hosts or sponsors a number of academic socioeconomic groups and has been recognized for competitions for elementary, middle, and high these efforts. A small sample of these initiatives school students including Math Day, SUMday, History Day, QUEST, and Music Festivals. includes the following: D´ia de Washburn – Washburn hosts approximately The Leadership Institute, in conjunction with 80 Hispanic high school and community college Rotary International, hosts Rotary Youth students, along with Hispanic community leaders Leadership Academy (RYLA) to develop leadership from across the state, for an information day. skills in identified student leaders (high school). In addition, faculty members in the Leadership LEAP (Literacy Education Action Project) – In fall Institute conduct governing board training 2006, students created a project teaching literacy, workshops for nonprofit community organizations. language, and social skills to three and four year old low-income preschool youth. This project Bonner Leader AmeriCorps Program has replaced the federal Jumpstart program as partnerships with a variety of youth service described in more detail in core component 5b. programs, including The Villages, Central Park Recreation Center, Oakland Recreation Center, and the Boys and Girls Club. Bonner Leaders provide The Human Services Department has delivered tutoring and mentoring to children. coursework to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, including the Addictions Counseling The Washburn Walkers program was established Certificate Program. in 1979 to bring people of retirement age to the Washburn campus in an effort to promote health

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and offer opportunities for older citizens to engage disabilities. The Department also provides in both academic and service activities. The group scholarship funds to employees of KNI to continue sponsors a lecture series during the school year that their education. is open to the public. SUMMARY For Kansas residents 65 and over, Washburn extends the opportunity for lifelong learning by Strengths allowing them to audit courses without cost. Every In being responsive to the needs of its constituents, semester, over 100 senior citizens participate in this Washburn University has created a number of program. collaborative partnerships designed to prepare individuals for careers to meet the needs of the Disabilities community and to enrich the community's cultural The university faculty and staff serve as resources to and intellectual life. area constituents with various physical abilities. Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA), Washburn has created articulation agreements with in conjunction with Washburn, sponsors a youth many regional community colleges and four-year leadership program and campus conference for institutions which allow students to transfer courses to 30 to 35 high school juniors and seniors with Washburn. The university has established a process by disabilities. The participants come from around which students may petition for general education the state. transfer credit from schools with which Washburn does not have articulation agreements. Washburn student leaders with disabilities participate in the Disability Heritage program, The KTWU public television station is licensed to in which they interact with public schools in the Washburn University and offers educational community to talk about the history and heritage programming to people of all ages and interests, of disability programs and organizations. assisting the university in serving as a resource to the community. The Washburn University Career Services Office provides helpful information and job search tools to The university offers a variety of programs to special students and alumni with disabilities. populations such as children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsors a workforce recruitment program each year at Challenges and Opportunities Washburn. This program matches Washburn While Washburn continues to encourage faculty to University students with disabilities with various create online general education courses so that PLAN federal agencies for placement in either internships students have a variety of options to fulfill degree or full-time jobs. Student Services and Career requirements, the number of options could be Services collaborate in this effort. expanded. The university has the opportunity to increase the number of online general education courses The Human Services Department, in partnership that are required by PLAN students and are popular with the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI), alternatives for on-campus students by encouraging offers two courses that are the initial training additional faculty to offer online general education required for employment for workers who will be courses through training and incentive programs. hired to care for people with developmental

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Since the university is reviewing general education continuous entertainment, and hands-on projects for requirements, it may be a significant challenge to children. The fair is the annual fundraising event of the review the existing transfer articulation agreements to Mulvane Art Museum. It is hosted by the Friends of ensure that the courses taught by other institutions the Mulvane and sponsored by community businesses. meet Washburn’s criteria. However, the review of general education criteria provides an opportunity for At the request of a number of nationally prominent Washburn to revisit existing articulation agreements to musicians, the first Sunflower Music Festival opened at ensure they are still appropriate. White Concert Hall in 1987. This coming summer, the annual event will celebrate its 22nd year as a gathering The institution needs to develop formal assessments place for 10 days of exciting music-making, attracting of existing partnerships and collaborations to ensure thousands of music lovers to the Washburn campus. deeper insight of the populations it serves and their Held in conjunction with the Sunflower Music Festival, needs. the Blanche Bryden Sunflower Music Institute provides talented young musicians from across the country CORE COMPONENT 5d opportunities for advanced study and performance. Internal and external constituencies value the services the organization provides. Each year thousands of fans attend a variety of athletic events in Lee Arena and Yager Stadium. Men’s and As a municipal university, Washburn takes seriously women’s sporting events regularly attract fans from the its responsibility to be engaged with the community. northeast Kansas region. The university recognizes its value to the Topeka community and appreciates the ongoing financial The university routinely receives requests for support, so in all endeavors the University is open to continuing education programs, applied research, community input and evaluation. service learning, volunteers, and internships. Based on the sustained record of Washburn’s participation in THE COMMUNITY VALUES WASHBURN these activities and the importance to the community, UNIVERSITY it is clear the contributions are valued. Washburn University embraces its core value as a community resource and takes every opportunity to The long-standing and diverse nature of these become involved in projects that enhance the relationships is one piece of evidence of the widespread community as a whole. value of Washburn to the community. Attendance at Washburn events also demonstrates the significance of White Concert Hall, Georgia Neese Gray Theatre, and the institution within the community. Furthermore, Mulvane Art Museum are exceptional venues for fine testimonials received from area businesses and arts events, making Washburn a highly valued cultural community leaders affirm their appreciation of center. This consistently attracts community members Washburn’s worth to the community: to the campus and demonstrates the cultural value of “For nearly two decades the Brown Foundation has the institution to the region. been among the community based organizations engaged in a cooperative relationship with The Mulvane Mountain Plain Art Fair brings 90 artists Washburn University. Our establishment as a from across the country, including Washburn students nonprofit, is rooted in the university’s commitment and faculty, to display paintings, photography, jewelry, to outreach….We are pleased to have an ongoing and other art mediums. The fair also features partnership with an institution like Washburn exhibitions from the Mulvane art education programs, University. One that values diversity as a standard

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of how communities succeed and takes pride in SUMMARY how we live and learn.” Cheryl Brown Henderson, President, Brown Foundation Strengths Washburn responds to the community by developing “The Washburn University Small Business training programs that address identified needs for Development Center, housed here at the Chamber of workforce development in economic, social, and Commerce, truly exemplifies how the university health-related organizations. builds effective bridges. Washburn’s commitment to serve aspiring entrepreneurs and small business The university offers a large number of cultural, owners aligns well with the Chamber/Go Topeka’s educational, and athletic opportunities to the goals to create new jobs and to advance the prosperity of our community.” Doug Kinsinger, President and community, and its modern facilities are utilized by CEO, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce the community for a wide range of functions.

“We truly value the many programs that you Washburn is valued by its external constituencies as provide and are in partnerships with so many of evidenced by newspaper editorials and testimonials us in the community. We are fortunate to have from community organizations. This support is also Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.” affirmed by significant financial contributions from Nancy Perry, President and CEO, United Way of area businesses, members of the community, and Greater Topeka alumni.

Finally, editorials from the Topeka Capital-Journal Challenges and Opportunities newspaper consistently applaud Washburn University’s As demonstrated in the evidence to satisfy this commitment to the community and refer to the component, Washburn programs are valued by the university as an extremely valuable resource. Excerpts community. However there are opportunities to from the Topeka Capital-Journal include statements communicate information about the events more such as the following: effectively. “We applaud Washburn University for working to put more good, qualified people in our hospitals, CONCLUSION clinics or wherever there is a need.” August 6, 2007 The analysis completed in response to criterion five focuses on engagement and service. Washburn University “We can congratulate ourselves for wooing Jerry is dedicated to its role in the community and obtains Farley to Topeka to revitalize Washburn community input from multiple perspectives. Washburn University, and now the rest of the community, is a future-oriented institution and develops programs too.” March 30, 2005 and services to responsibly serve its constituents and respond to changing environmental needs. “Frankly, investment in Washburn University is good for economic development for both the city As a learning-focused institution, Washburn University and the state.” February 25, 2005 partners with community organizations to build necessary academic programs and strengthen organized “Every day, Washburn University shows us that learning in the community. The institution is focused the most useful of academic pursuits are not those on lifelong learning for all constituents and conducted in ivory towers but those that engage understands that learning occurs beyond the classroom. the community.” October 14, 2005

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Washburn builds relationships that connect the university with the community. The university recognizes that serving society is a mutual relationship and purposely develops services that have been identified as beneficial. The nature of Washburn’s strategic planning process allows for timely response to community needs. As a result, collaborative partnerships have been formed to serve a variety of learners.

“Every day, Washburn University shows us that the most useful of academic pursuits are not those conducted in ivory towers but those that engage the community.” Topeka Capital-Journal

In support of the university’s mission, vision, and core values, Washburn provides funding for community partnerships. The university’s value to its constituents is evidenced by those who enroll in academic programs, attend cultural and athletic events, and utilize university facilities. Washburn has established distinctive regional, national, and global relationships.

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