Date of Award
Fall 2019
Document Type
Dissertation Restricted
Degree Name
Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)
Department
Public Policy and Administration
Committee Chairperson
Michelle Wade, Ph.D., MPA
Committee Member
Jeremy Phillips, Ph.D., MPA
Committee Member
Kristen Crossney, Ph.D.
Abstract
Experiential education is touted as having numerous pedagogical advantages that benefit students’ abilities to apply course content to real world settings and wicked problems, but often these benefits are perceived through the lenses of college students and institutions of higher education, more so than through the lenses of the nonprofit partners and community impact (Bushouse, 2005). Utilizing organization analysis and critical theory as well as specifically honing in on forms of experiential education that constitute community engagement (i.e. service-learning, internships with nonprofit organizations, etc.), which aim to establish mutually beneficial relationships between institutions of higher education (IHEs) and community nonprofit organizations (CNOs), this paper attempts to closely examine and identify the practices, policies, and characteristics regarding “partnerships” between IHEs and CNOs that are established to build capacity for CNOs and enhance student learning and development. Through literature review, surveying, and interviewing representatives of CNOs neighboring multiple IHEs in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the researcher defines success from the perspective of CNOs and explores which factors, practices, and policies impact partnerships. Although every CNO is unique, many commonalities surfaced regarding CNOs’ perspectives and experiences on what influences partnership pursuit (i.e., timeliness, responsiveness, accessibility, proximity, and popularity), partnership agreement (i.e., compatibility, oversight, outcomes, perks, time, evaluation, and demand), and successful partnership outcomes (i.e., validation and valuation, consent and intentionality, framing and preparation, oversight and investment, communication and expectation setting, and consistency and shared vision).
Recommended Citation
Williams, Jamie, "Fitting into the Bigger Picture: Community Engagement Efforts among Community Nonprofit Organizations and Institutions of Higher Education through the Perspectives of Nonprofits" (2019). West Chester University Doctoral Projects. 50.
https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/all_doctoral/50