Lunch and Learns

A Lunch & Learn program is where an organization encourages participants to eat lunch in a group setting while simultaneously utilizing that time to complete trainings, seminars, and other educations. They provide an organization with an excellent opportunity to educate or train participants.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

• Presentation Title: Developing a collaborative anchor lens: Avoiding the dangers of a deficit approach to partnering with communities.
• Description: Interested in learning more about our anchor institution and how you can get involved in addressing one or more of the pressing problems of our region? How we approach community issues and partnerships, impacts our effectiveness as an anchor institution. In this interactive workshop, we will discuss strengths-based and desire-centered frameworks for engaging with community partners to foster mutually beneficial relationships that serve the community, our students, and the region broadly. Additionally, the presenters will expand on the role of institutional mechanisms, such as grants and awards, in counteracting deficit approaches.

• Audience: This Lunch and Learn is open to administrators, staff, and faculty interested in building or having existing partnerships with community organizations/members across teaching research or service. It is also suitable for those who support community-engaged teaching and scholarship.

• Facilitators: Erin Rose Ellison (Assistant Professor, Psychology Department) and Kevin Ferreira van Leer (Associate Professor, Child & Adolescent Development Program)

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

• Presentation Title: What role does campus member play in the Anchor University Initiative?
• Description: The term anchor refers to the fact that an institution, public and/or private, uses its deep roots in a community to develop relationships that are reciprocal and mutually beneficial, which will lead to long-term collaborations and partnerships that respond to community needs and challenges. Anchor institutions are vital assets to their cities and are expected to do more in their communities as active civic participants towards improving the health and well-being of their communities. In this interactive presentation, we will explore the concept of being an anchor institution and how, as campus leaders, we are stewards of the anchor mission.

• Audience: The presentation is open to administrators, staff, and faculty interested in learning about the interconnected role we all play in being an Anchor University.

• Facilitators: Elisa Trimboli (Anchor University Partnership Manager) and Samantha Blackburn (Department Chair, Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration)