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Engaging Your Region John D. Welty President California State University, Fresno October 2009

Engaging Your Region John D. Welty President California State University, Fresno October 2009. Overview of Presentation The University as a Regional Change Agent San Joaquin Valley: The Regional Context Evolution of Fresno State’s Role as a Regional Change Agent

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Engaging Your Region John D. Welty President California State University, Fresno October 2009

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  1. Engaging Your Region • John D. Welty • President • California State University, Fresno • October 2009

  2. Overview of Presentation • The University as a Regional Change Agent • San Joaquin Valley: The Regional Context • Evolution of Fresno State’s Role as a Regional Change Agent • University-Led Collaboratives and Partnerships • Lessons Learned

  3. The University as a “Regional Change Agent” • Commonly accepted university roles: • Pursuit and preservation of knowledge • Academic training and intellectual development • Workforce preparation • Community service • Technology development, commercialization and regional economic driver… • But “regional change agent”? What?!

  4. California’s San Joaquin Valley

  5. If the San Joaquin Valley was a State, it would have…. • A population greater than 23 states • A land area greater than 10 states • More revenue from agriculture than every other state • More world-class national parks than every other state • A higher population growth rate than all but 3 states

  6. ….but it would also have: • The highest rate of unemployment; • The highest percentage of people living below the poverty line; • The lowest per capita income; • The worst air quality; • The poorest access to health care; and • A federal direct expenditure rate that is 30% lower than the rest of the U.S. ($4,736 per capita in the Valley vs. $6,814 U.S. average; Congressional Research Service)

  7. What is to be done about this situation? • High unemployment • High poverty • Lowest per capita income • Worst air quality • Poorest access to health care • History of neglect from state and federal government

  8. Evolution of Fresno State’s Role as a “Regional Change Agent” • University commitment to improving the region by President Welty – 1993 • Established economic reporting institute, “Central California Futures Institute” • Impact of the “new economy” – shift to “action oriented” community partnerships • Partnership with the water technology industry – launch of first university-based “industry cluster” in April 2001 • University partnership with the Fresno Business Council in September 2000 to drive “new economy” initiatives

  9. Fresno Region CommunityValues • Stewardship • Boundary crossing and collaboration • Commitment to outcomes • “Art of the Possible” Thinking • Fact-based decision making • Truth telling • Power parity • Commitment to resolving conflict • Asset-based approach • Conflict of interest

  10. Evolution of Fresno State’s Role as a “Regional Change Agent” • “Fresno Area Collaborative Regional Initiative” launched September 2001 to “Improve the region’s competitiveness in the knowledge-based economy” • CRI task forces: Innovative Culture, Preparation of Knowledge Workers, Technology Infrastructure, Human Investment, Collaborative Land Use and Transportation Planning • January 2004 – Launch of the Regional Jobs Initiative – Based on Industry Clusters • January 2005 – Report on Fresno Unified School District • September 2005 – Launch of the Governor’s Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley

  11. Additional University-Led Collaboratives • Economic Development/Industry Partnerships • Innovation and entrepreneurship center • Water tech center • Food processing center (in development) • Advanced manufacturing center (in development) • Supply chain management center (in development) • Construction industry “center of excellence” (in development) • Numerous agri-business centers • General small business support programs

  12. X = Original Participant Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix - - Circa 2000 Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby

  13. X = Original Participant Red = New Participant or Function Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix - 2007

  14. X = Original Participant Red = New participant or Function Green = Proposed new role or Function Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix – Proposed

  15. Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby

  16. Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby

  17. Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby

  18. Additional University-Led Collaboratives • Health and Human Services – Health Policy Institute • Education – Central Valley Education Leadership Institute (CVELI) and nearly a dozen additional programs • Arts and Culture – Cultural Heritage Institute and numerous performing arts programs • Public Policy and Civic Leadership – Maddy Institute • Community Service and Civic Engagement - Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning

  19. Lessons Learned • Data - Gather data to describe your region, use of consultants • Strategic Plan – Commit to engagement (University) • Money – Use an entrepreneurial, boot-strap approach (focus on serving the region first, building the institution second)-- Public Support • Politics – Avoid the “political fray” with the Community Values of the Fresno Region • Leadership – Starts at the top • Organization – Include the right combination of executive staff and faculty involvement • Coordination – Work on improving campus coordination continuously through efforts like Making Place Matter and a strategic planning process • Work – Is messy • Persistence – Is necessary • Thought Leaders – Need to articulate direction • Building Trust Relationships – Is important • Quality, Stable Leadership – Is important for major institutions

  20. Contact John D. Welty johnw@csufresno.edu www.FresnoRJI.org (559) 278-2324

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