Engaging Your Region John D. Welty President California State University, Fresno October 2009

1. Engaging Your Region • John D. Welty • President • California State University, Fresno • October 2009

2. 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

3. 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?!

4. California’s San Joaquin Valley

5. 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

6. ….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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. Fresno Region CommunityValues • 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

10. 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

11. Additional University-Led Collaboratives • Economic Development/Industry Partnerships • Innovation and entrepreneurship center • Water tech center • Food 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 centers • General small business support programs

12. X = Original Participant Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix - - Circa 2000 Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby

13. X = Original Participant Red = New Participant or Function Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix - 2007

14. X = Original Participant Red = New participant or Function Green = Proposed new role or Function Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix – Proposed

15. Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby

16. Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby

17. Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby

18. 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

19. 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

20. Contact John D. Welty johnw@csufresno.edu www.FresnoRJI.org (559) 278-2324