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

Engaging Your Region Engaging Your Region

John D. Welty

President

California State University, Fresno

October 2009

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

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?!

California’s San Joaquin Valley

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

….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)

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

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

Fresno Region Community Values 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

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

Additional University-Led Collaboratives Economic Development/Industry Partnerships

Innovation and entrepreneurship centerWater tech centerFood 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 centersGeneral small business support programs

Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix - - Circa 2000

Participating Organization

Innovation &

Entrepreneurship

Business Retention & Expansion

Business Attraction

Regional Outreach

Regional Branding

EDC X X X

CVBIX

Chamber(s) X X X

City of Fresno X X

City of Clovis X X

Fresno County X X X

Madera County X X X

Rural Cities & Organizations

X

X = Original Participant

Provided by: Fresno Business Council – Ken Newby

Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix - 2007


Industry Cluster

Enhancement

Innovation &

Entrepreneurship


Business Attraction

Capital Formation

Regional Outreach

Regional Branding

EDC X Lead Lead Co-Lead X

FBC X

Industry Cluster Leaders

Co-Lead X X

Lyles Center X Co-Lead X X X

CVBI + WET Incubators

X Co-Lead X X X X

OCED-CSUF Co-Lead X X

Chamber(s) X X X X

City of Fresno X X

City of Clovis X X X

Fresno County X X Co-Lead X

Madera County X X X X


X X X X

WIB X X X X

Educational Institutions

X X X X X

Central Valley Fund

X X X

PCV X X X

BDog Fund, etc. X

SJV Partnership X X X X

ED Peer Group X X X

X = Original ParticipantRed = New Participant or Function


Economic Development SphereResponsibility Matrix – Proposed


Industry Cluster

Enhancement

Innovation &

Entrepreneurship


Business Attraction

Capital Formation

Regional Outreach

Regional Branding

Inter-Sphere Coordination

EDC X X Lead Lead X Co-Lead Co-Lead X

FBC X Co-Lead

Industry Cluster Leaders

Co-Lead X X X X

Lyles Center X Co-Lead X X Co-Lead X X

CVBI + WET & Rural Incubators

X Co-Lead X X Co-Lead X X

OCED-CSUF Co-Lead X X X

Chamber(s) X X X X Co-Lead X

City of Fresno X X X X

City of Clovis X X X X

Fresno County X X X Co-Lead X X

Madera County X X X X X X


X X X X X X

WIB X X X X X

Educational Institutions

X X X X X X

Central Valley Fund

X X X X

PCV X X X

BDog Fund, etc. X X

SJV Partnership X X X X X

ED Peer Group X X X Co-Lead

X = Original ParticipantRed = New participant or FunctionGreen = Proposed new role or Function


Key Elements of a Prosperous & Key Elements of a Prosperous & Healthy CommunityHealthy Community

Economic Development:•Industry Clusters•Innovation•Entrepreneurship•Workforce Enhancement•Govt. Processes•Public Policy•Bus. Retention & Attraction•Regional Branding

Infrastructure Development:(Hard & Soft infrastructure)•Land Use•Transportation – People & Goods•Air Quality/Water•Industrial Parks•Sewer/Wastewater•Green Spaces/Parks/Trails•Workforce Housing•Cultural Arts




Infrastructure Development:(Hard & Soft Infrastructure)•Land Use•Transportation – People & Goods•Air Quality/Water•Industrial Parks•Sewer/Wastewater•Green Spaces/Parks/Trails•Workforce Housing•Cultural Arts

Human Development:•Health/Welfare/Safety•Education: Traditional/Vocational•Multi-Dimensional Literacy•Workforce Development•Remediation of poverty Issues•Access to Good Jobs &

a Positive Physical Environment




Infrastructure Development:(Hard & Soft Infrastructure)•Land Use•Transportation – People & Goods•Air Quality/Water•Industrial Parks•Sewer/Wastewater•Green Space/Parks/Trails•Workforce Housing•Cultural Arts

Effective Political Sector

Coordinated Leadership

Engaged I nstitutions, Citizens &

Philanthropy

Human Development:•Health/Welfare/Safety•Education: Traditional/Vocational•Multi-Faceted Literacy•Workforce Readiness•Leadership Development•Remediation of poverty Issues•Access to Good Jobs &

a Positive Physical Environment


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

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

Contact

John D. Welty

[email protected]

www.FresnoRJI.org

(559) 278-2324

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

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