Dr. David Weerts, a recognized expert and leader in resource development for community engagement, will kick-off the series. During this session David will provide attendees with a landscape of fundraising and resource development in the community/civic engagement field. This will include discussing successful strategies in the field, how to overcome challenges in working effectively with your institution’s development team, and how to build your confidence in advancing your agenda and navigating the fundraising process. Attendees will be engaged throughout the workshop in small groups and interactive exercises.

David Weerts is a professor of higher education and the faculty director for academic planning and programs in the Office for Public Engagement at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He also serves as director of the Engagement Academy for University Leaders.

Recommended pre-reading:
Weerts, D.J.. (2019). Resource development and the community engagement professional: Building and sustaining engaged institutions. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement. 23. 9-34.

Asynchronous session—This session takes place live at the TRUCEN Annual Meeting. Select the session here to be sent a recording of that talk in early April.

Four executive directors and senior leaders will share their paths for garnering major gifts and endowments to support their centers.  This will include time for attendees to ask questions and dig deeper with presenters.

• Morgridge Center for Public Service—University of Wisconsin Madison
  • Lisa Chambers, Administrative Director 
• Haas Center for Public Service—Stanford University 
  • Luke Terra, Associate Director and Director of Community Engaged Learning and Research 
• Swearer Center—Brown University 
  • Mary Jo Callan, Vice President for Community Engagement and Stark Family Executive Director of the Swearer Center
• Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement—Washington University in St. Louis 
  • Stephanie Kurtzman, Peter G. Sortino Director of the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement

During this second showcase session, participants will hear from campus leaders that have successfully garnered resources for dedicated projects and professorships.  Time will be allocated to ensure attendees can ask questions and connect directly with presenters.

• JAG Public Services Fellows Program (Muskingum University) 
  • Brian King, Associate Professor of Political Science and Co-Director, John and Annie Glenn Public Service Fellows Program 
  • Keith Eberly, Associate Professor of Education and Co-Director, John and Annie Glenn Public Service Fellows Program 
• McCormick Internship Program and Steans Graduate Fellowship (DePaul University) 
  • Howard Rosing, Executive Director of the Steans Center
• Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse (Grand Valley State University)
  Occasionally, inspired donors come to the institution with an idea that also inspires us. At Grand Valley State University, we have been able to craft a vision together with supporters and move towards making a difference in building a civil society—a society in which we listen to one another. The Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professorship of Civil Discourse grew out of this joint vision and is a program that elevates the civil discourse and dialogue work of the endowed professor who is selected through a competitive process. As part of the professorship, the Endowed Professor develops an undergraduate course and public symposium which facilitate the use of civil discourse in examining divergent views about a contemporary issue.   
  • Lisa Perhamus, Director of the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civic Discourse and Associate Professor in the Foundations of Education Program
  • Mark Schaub, Dean, Brooks Colleg of Interdisciplinary Studies