The anchor mission reinforces the roots of our public mission as contributors to the civic and economic prosperity of our urban regions. It has also re-organized our institutions internally. Anchor work can become more complicated at a time when there is limited capacity; especially during succession and staff turnover. While many of our colleagues and leaders are committed to the intentionality and data-driven approach of the anchor mission, it’s not always easy to secure buy-in from key stakeholders across the institution. The urban mission of higher ed. is easily siloed. However, we believe that anchor work is not another thing on the plate; it is the plate. This facilitated dialogue will capture stories from the faculty and administration of private and public urban institutions, responsible with advancing anchor, regardless of the political and fiscal environment of the moment. This session will begin with brief opening statements from representatives from Buffalo State/SUNY, the College of Staten Island/CUNY, Rutgers – Newark, St. John’s University/Staten Island Campus, and Wagner College, on their efforts to integrate anchor. The panelists represent institutions that are both a part of, and external to CUMU and TDC’s Anchor Learning Network. A set of guided questions and a moderated panel discussion will follow.
Specific topic areas for institutionalizing anchor include:
- Connection to strategic planning and priorities
- Leveraging cross-sectoral alliances for cross-campus alliances
- Inventorying assets and research opportunities
- Leveraging regional partnerships and local expertise
- Creating organizational structures and incentivizing activity
- Defining the value proposition
