Partnering Successfully with Universities

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Partnering Successfully with Universities John L.
Bear Dean, College of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics University of Houston
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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
PARTNERSHIP A relationship between
individuals or groups that is characterized by
mutual cooperation and responsibility, as for the
achievement of a specified goal. The American
Heritage Dictionary of the English Language,
Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin, 2000
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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• For discussion today
• What do universities gain from partnerships with
  K-12 institutions?
• What can universities provide in such
  partnerships?
• How are strong partnerships developed?
• How are successful partnerships maintained?

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
• COLLEGE OF
• NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS
• Departments
• Biology and Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Geosciences
• Mathematics
• Physics

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• Houston-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority
  Participation
• University of Houston
• Texas Southern University
• Southwest Texas State University
• Rice University
• University of Houston-Downtown
• University of Houston-Victoria
• Houston Community College System
• San Jacinto College District
• Houston Independent School District

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• HISD Gains from the H-LSAMP Partnership
• A strong bond with the College of Natural
  Sciences and Mathematics
• Referrals for other collaborative efforts
• Opportunities for its students
• National recognition
• Local recognition

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• UH Gains from the H-LSAMP Partnership
• Funding to support more students
• Improved student retention
• Improved minority recruitment and retention
• Decrease in average years to graduation
• Expanded programs that benefit all students
• Local/national recognition for having a
  successful program
• Enhanced relationships with HISD, leading to
  other partnerships
• Greater exposure within HISD for recruitment of
  highly qualified students

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• UNIVERSITIES BRING TO PARTNERSHIPS
• Breadth and depth of knowledge, ideas, and
  expertise
• Resources and services (computing, distance
  education tools, listervs, etc.)
• Links to other agencies and resources
• Research methodology/statistical expertise
• Grant writing expertise
• Credibility/recognition by association

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
How are effective partnerships between K-12
institutions and universities built?
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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• RULES OF PARTNERSHIP
• 1. Understand the others culture and values.
• 2. Identify the most appropriate collaborators
  and decision-makers within the partner
  institution.
• 3. Establish clearly-defined goals and
  responsibilities for both parties.
• 4. Establish and use appropriate communication
  structures and modes of communication.
• 5. Be accountable and responsible.

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• 1. Understand the others culture and values
• Universities have unique cultures. They
  generally
• Include teaching, research (research
  universities) and service in their missions
• Have unique hierarchies and protocols
• Have many rules and regulations (human subjects,
  personnel, budgetary)
• Have faculty classifications that impact roles,
  motivation, and time available for projects
• Desire to recruit top students
• Value diversity
• Seek to reduce student time to graduation
• Value positive local and national recognition.

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
2. Identify the most appropriate collaborators
and decision- makers within the partner
institution. UNIVERSITY COLLABORATORS
DECISION MAKERS Collaborators Faculty
members and/or administrators Decision
makers Department Chairs Deans Vice-Presi
dents Presidents Chancellors
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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• 3. Establish clearly-defined goals and
  responsibilities for both parties.
• Have clear and measurable outcomes and
  deliverables
• Decide who will do what, when, and how
• Establish and follow timeline

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• 4. Establish and use appropriate communication
  structures and modes of communication
• Decide who will communicate with whom and at
  what level(s)
• Decide modes of communication based on level of
  importance and those involved. Develop systems
  that are reliable, efficient, and convenient.

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• 5. Be accountable and responsible
• Do what you said you would do
• In the manner you said you would do it
• By the time you said you would do it

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
It is probably not love that makes the world go
around, but rather those mutually supportive
alliances through which partners recognize their
dependence on each other for the achievement of
shared and private goals. Fred Allen
(1894-1956)