Home > Features > Web site bolsters ASU’s community outreach

ASU in Your Community now lists more than 250 outreach programs

From tutoring schoolchildren to providing health and legal clinics for low income families, from giving music performances to free lectures on key public issues—ASU is deeply involved in serving the needs of its community. For the first time, the university has created an online listing of its community outreach programs, presented on a searchable Web site.

Students volunteering for ASU Cares

“ASU in Your Community” is a resource for ASU faculty and staff, superintendents, legislators, journalists, policy makers and other community members. The Web site, at www.asu.edu/community, lists over 250 programs at more than 460 locations, reflecting ASU’s commitment to social embeddedness, to its becoming a force, not only a place.

Faculty and staff who coordinate outreach programs are encouraged to visit the site, add their programs if not listed, and maintain and update their information. To add a program to the list, go to www.asu.edu/community and click on “Add your program to the database.”

Coordinators can use the site to learn about other programs and possibly to work together, making their mission more complementary to other programs that exist at the same location. Grant writers can utilize the information and future mapping tool provided by the site to place the development of new programs in the context of the greater efforts of the university.

Students participating in the Dance Arizona Repertory Theatre (DART)

It also will be a way for others to learn about ASU’s outreach efforts, and for these programs to be counted and recognized. University-wide participation in the project will make it a resource faculty and staff can use for planning future outreach activities.

“Universities must meet the needs of their local communities,” said President Michael Crow in discussing his design imperatives for a New American University. “As we seek to cultivate the excellence of our academic programs, I believe we must structure our programs to not only advance knowledge, but wherever practicable, directly serve the needs of the people of Arizona, as well as the national and international communities.

“ASU must be a community of scholars concerned with the impact of their work, giving thought to its possible role in a better society. We must integrate the advancement of knowledge with the transformation of society.”

 To help further this goal, the Office of University Initiatives developed the project in partnership with Student Affairs and University Undergraduate Initiatives’ Technology Services.

Community outreach includes activities in which ASU students, faculty and staff provide service to the community. The distinguishing characteristic of community outreach for the purpose of ASU in Your Community is that the community is the benefactor. Community outreach may include: noncredit seminars, workshops, consultations, technical assistance, and lectures available to the public; medical, educational or therapeutic services; and providing volunteer or professional expertise.

ASU Education students read to first graders who just received a book and teddy bear of their own as part of the holiday program Books & Bears

Users can search for programs by keyword, program name, location, college or department, and one of nine impact areas: arts and culture, business and economic development, education, environment, public policy, health and wellness, human rights, technology and other.

A GIS mapping tool is being developed that will enable users to see where ASU’s programs are located throughout the Phoenix area and the state. When it is operational, users will be able to zoom into areas for a detailed view, then click on the location and read program details. (Sample static maps are currently available for viewing.) Eventually users can add different layers of information, such as municipal boundaries, school districts, legislative districts, and census data such as age, population density, race and income. The Department of Geography’s GIS Research Lab is developing the interactive mapping tool.

For more information, contact yourcommunity@asu.edu.

By Sarah Auffret. Auffret, with Media Relations & Public Information, can be reached at (480) 965-6991 or (sauffret@asu.edu).

Feature image, left to right: An Elementary Education student reads Green Eggs and Ham to a first grade class at Frank School in the Tempe Elementary School District. Students participating in the Dance Arizona Repertory Theatre (DART), the community partnership and repertory company of ASU’s Herberger College Department of Dance. Students help plant a victory garden during the 2000 MLK Day of Service.