engaging your region john d. welty president california state university, fresno october 2009
TRANSCRIPT
Engaging Your Region 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 University-Led Collaboratives and
Partnerships Lessons Learned
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?!
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
….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)
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
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
Fresno Region Community Values 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
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
Additional University-Led Collaboratives Economic Development/Industry Partnerships
Innovation and entrepreneurship centerWater tech centerFood 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 centersGeneral small business support programs
Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix - - Circa 2000
Participating Organization
Innovation &
Entrepreneurship
Business Retention & Expansion
Business Attraction
Regional Outreach
Regional Branding
EDC X X X
CVBIX
Chamber(s) X X X
City of Fresno X X
City of Clovis X X
Fresno County X X X
Madera County X X X
Rural Cities & Organizations
X
X = Original Participant
Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby
Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix - 2007
Participating Organization
Industry Cluster
Enhancement
Innovation &
Entrepreneurship
Business Retention & Expansion
Business Attraction
Capital Formation
Regional Outreach
Regional Branding
EDC X Lead Lead Co-Lead X
FBC X
Industry Cluster Leaders
Co-Lead X X
Lyles Center X Co-Lead X X X
CVBI + WET Incubators
X Co-Lead X X X X
OCED-CSUF Co-Lead X X
Chamber(s) X X X X
City of Fresno X X
City of Clovis X X X
Fresno County X X Co-Lead X
Madera County X X X X
Rural Cities & Organizations
X X X X
WIB X X X X
Educational Institutions
X X X X X
Central Valley Fund
X X X
PCV X X X
BDog Fund, etc. X
SJV Partnership X X X X
ED Peer Group X X X
X = Original ParticipantRed = New Participant or Function
Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby
Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix – Proposed
Participating Organization
Industry Cluster
Enhancement
Innovation &
Entrepreneurship
Business Retention & Expansion
Business Attraction
Capital Formation
Regional Outreach
Regional Branding
Inter-Sphere Coordination
EDC X X Lead Lead X Co-Lead Co-Lead X
FBC X Co-Lead
Industry Cluster Leaders
Co-Lead X X X X
Lyles Center X Co-Lead X X Co-Lead X X
CVBI + WET & Rural Incubators
X Co-Lead X X Co-Lead X X
OCED-CSUF Co-Lead X X X
Chamber(s) X X X X Co-Lead X
City of Fresno X X X X
City of Clovis X X X X
Fresno County X X X Co-Lead X X
Madera County X X X X X X
Rural Cities & Organizations
X X X X X X
WIB X X X X X
Educational Institutions
X X X X X X
Central Valley Fund
X X X X
PCV X X X
BDog Fund, etc. X X
SJV Partnership X X X X X
ED Peer Group X X X Co-Lead
X = Original ParticipantRed = New participant or FunctionGreen = Proposed new role or Function
Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby
Key Elements of a Prosperous & Key Elements of a Prosperous & Healthy CommunityHealthy Community
Economic Development:•Industry Clusters•Innovation•Entrepreneurship•Workforce Enhancement•Govt. Processes•Public Policy•Bus. Retention & Attraction•Regional Branding
Infrastructure Development:(Hard & Soft infrastructure)•Land Use•Transportation – People & Goods•Air Quality/Water•Industrial Parks•Sewer/Wastewater•Green Spaces/Parks/Trails•Workforce Housing•Cultural Arts
Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby
Key Elements of a Prosperous & Key Elements of a Prosperous & Healthy CommunityHealthy Community
Economic Development:•Industry Clusters•Innovation•Entrepreneurship•Workforce Enhancement•Govt. Processes•Public Policy•Bus. Retention & Attraction•Regional Branding
Infrastructure Development:(Hard & Soft Infrastructure)•Land Use•Transportation – People & Goods•Air Quality/Water•Industrial Parks•Sewer/Wastewater•Green Spaces/Parks/Trails•Workforce Housing•Cultural Arts
Human Development:•Health/Welfare/Safety•Education: Traditional/Vocational•Multi-Dimensional Literacy•Workforce Development•Remediation of poverty Issues•Access to Good Jobs &
a Positive Physical Environment
Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby
Key Elements of a Prosperous & Key Elements of a Prosperous & Healthy CommunityHealthy Community
Economic Development:•Industry Clusters•Innovation•Entrepreneurship•Workforce Enhancement•Govt. Processes•Public Policy•Bus. Retention & Attraction•Regional Branding
Infrastructure Development:(Hard & Soft Infrastructure)•Land Use•Transportation – People & Goods•Air Quality/Water•Industrial Parks•Sewer/Wastewater•Green Space/Parks/Trails•Workforce Housing•Cultural Arts
Effective Political Sector
Coordinated Leadership
Engaged I nstitutions, Citizens &
Philanthropy
Human Development:•Health/Welfare/Safety•Education: Traditional/Vocational•Multi-Faceted Literacy•Workforce Readiness•Leadership Development•Remediation of poverty Issues•Access to Good Jobs &
a Positive Physical Environment
Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby
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
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