Center For Community Engagement
Assessment

Assessment of Perceptions of SSU Community Partners
George R. Moskoff, CMC, APG Consulting

Context for Study

While hundreds of studies show the impact of service-learning and community engagement on students, faculty, and institutions, little is known about the effects and perceptions of non-profit and governmental community partners. 

Objective

Uncover perceptions of non-profit partners of the services of Center for Community Engagement (CCE) at Sonoma State University (SSU) especially to support a better understanding, where possible, of SSU’s priorities of sustainability and diversity.

Qualitative Methods

Twenty 10-30 minute unstructured confidential phone interviews.

Some Findings & Recommendations

• SSU students and nonprofits each gain 50% in the partnership.
• The CCE serves as a reliable resource to marshall the resources of the University to help get faculty to help write grants, partner on projects, and to act as a “conduit” or “broker” for nonprofits and their projects so that students can be recruited.  The CCE also helps make connections for non-profits with each other.  Additionally, in one case, the CCE “help(ed) to create policy to create more safety” for students serving with an organization.
• The CCE website is underutilized; most interviewed didn’t know it existed.  Additionally, information technologies could be exploited, especially social networking media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.

Complete Working Draft

This is a working draft, so input is appreciated.  Please feel free to contact the CCE or APG Consulting.  Changes are possible at any time.

Thank you!

Thank you to all the community agency personnel who made this study possible.  Whether you chose to be interviewed or not, we appreciate your consideration.  

It is also important to recognize George Moskoff of APG Consulting, who took on this project pro bono.  A special thank you to George!  His time and expertise are greatly valued!