Community Partnerships
We strive to develop truly collaborative relationships with our Community Partners because our Partners are the experts on the needs of our community. As we connect students with Community Partners, we work to develop opportunities that are mutually beneficial to both students and the community. Through Community Partnerships, our students are able to be a part of important and meaningful work while helping to build capacity in local organizations.
Community Partners Information
The Center for Community Engagement can assist Partners in developing and filling internship positions, answering the call for volunteers, and educating organization management to maximize the good work they do in the community.
Student's Work with Partners
Our mission is "student learning through community impact".
Our students work with Community Partners through Internships and Community Engaged Learning Programs. By collaborating with Community Partners, we are able to connect students with work that is meaningful to the people around them as they contribute to addressing major issues in the community.
We see our partners as co-educators of students. We value the knowledge, resources, and time our partners share with our students, and enjoy the opportunity to develop programs to help our Partners thrive in their work.
If you are interested in becoming a Community Partner with Stetson University, please fill out the Partner Application and our Coordinator of Community Impact will contact you.
The purpose of the Community Partner Advisory Board is to act as a liaison between Stetson’s Community Partners and the Center for Community Engagement to amplify partner voices and explore opportunities for more meaningful community engagement opportunities.
The Community Partner Advisory Board will assist the Center for Community Engagement through the following objectives:
- Provide advice, information, and guidance to shape the strategic direction of the Center for Community Engagement.
- Advise the Center for Community Engagement on ways to strengthen its connection to community partners.
- Offer recommendations on specific initiatives.
- Promote best practices in community engagement among fellow community partners.
Meetings for the Partner Advisory Board will be conducted on the first Tuesday of every other month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Stetson University’s Campus.
Community Partner Advisory Board Members
- Peter Willems - Hispanic Health Initiatives
- Heather McLean - Volusia Pride
- Rasheeda Denning - Black Homeschoolers of Central Florida and American Legion
- Monet Bradley - Chisholm Community Center
- Primrose Cameron - Sisters Build Network
Duties of the Board
The Community Partner Advisory Board will work to guide the Center for Community Engagement’s capacity-building efforts. This work includes but is not limited to the following:
- Advising on the development of and critiquing events that the Center for Community Engagement hosts.
- Making recommendations on trainings offered for community partners and hosted by Stetson University.
- Planning student engagement fairs.
- Brainstorming mixer opportunities with Stetson faculty and staff.
- Proving advice on large-scale capacity-building projects that Stetson can take further leadership in.
The CPAB will also provide information on issue areas in Greater Volusia County that require further investment from Stetson University. Examples of these initiatives could include the development of an affordable housing coalition, investment in apprenticeship programs that provide equitable job opportunities in low-income areas, development of a food insecurity task force, etc.
Membership
The initial CPAB will consist of a minimum of three (3) and up to five (5) Community Partner Leaders during the first term of the CPAB (AY23/24) along with the CCE Leadership Team.
Members will have 3-year rotating terms to ensure that no more than one-third of the advisory board turns over at a time. A maximum of 2 consecutive terms will be allowed for members.
During the first term, members of the CPAB will determine the best course of action for subsequent terms and current member term rotation.
Members of the CPAB should be in a leadership role within the Community Partner organization they are representing. Community Partners must be in good standing with Stetson University and have a current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on file with the University.
Partners Events
Our Partners have access to several capacity-building and networking programs throughout the year, including the Non-Profit Leadership Summit and the Community Partner Breakfast.
Our Community Partner Breakfast is held annually at the beginning of the academic year, giving Partners an opportunity to gather over breakfast and connect with each other. This annual listening event gives us an opportunity to hear from partners about their most pressing issues and provides a space for relationship-building and shared planning.
In conjunction with Stetson’s Values Day, GCF provides community organizations with a platform to highlight their mission, showcase their impact, and connect with students about available volunteer and internship opportunities. With over 500 students attending annually, this event offers an opportunity for organizations to engage with a large number of students in a single, high-visibility setting.
At the end of the academic year, we host a luncheon recognizing extraordinary accomplishments that community partners, students, faculty and staff have done throughout the year.
Our award categories change every year depending on the accomplishments of our community. Some previous award categories have been Community Partner of the Year, Extraordinary Act of Service Award (Program/Student), Volunteer of the Year (Student), Excellence in Community-Engaged Learning (Faculty) and Giving Tree Award (Staff).
The Bonner Speed Dating event is held at the beginning of the Academic Year during New Bonner Orientation. It allows our newest Bonner Program Students to explore possible Community Partner internship opportunities.
NPLS has been held annually since 2022. This day-long workshop is designed to strengthen leadership skills, share best practices, and explore innovative strategies for creating meaningful community impact. Each year, the summit centers around a specific theme, such as strategic planning or fundraising, with presentations and workshops led by experienced community leaders and subject matter experts. The event emphasizes hands-on, practical learning to ensure participants leave with actionable tools and insights they can immediately apply.
NPLC is an extension of the NPLS. This professional development initiative is designed to enhance the leadership, strategy, and operational capacity of local nonprofit organizations. This virtual, cohort-based series is intentionally structured to minimize barriers to participation while maximizing impact. The program offers focused, practical training through four thematic modules, each running for six consecutive weeks and addressing a key area of nonprofit success: Governance and Leadership, Marketing and Partnerships, Finance and Program Design, and Fundraising and Grant Writing.
These facilitated dialogues bring together community stakeholders for meaningful, peer-led discussions on a variety of topics. Each session focuses on a different theme, ranging from skill-building workshops on administrative practices to deep dives into specific social issue areas. Designed to foster collaboration, learning, and shared insight, these conversations are led by members of the CCE team or guest facilitators with specialized knowledge, depending on the topic. This flexible, inclusive format creates space for open dialogue, professional development, and relationship-building across campus and community. Community Conversations are held on the last Wednesday of every other month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Lee's Garage.