Through our work bringing community colleges, employers, and K-12 systems together to reimagine dual enrollment pathways, Education Design Lab has identified four key elements to building stronger partnerships.
Creating strong, sustainable partnerships is essential for higher education institutions to thrive in today’s dynamic landscape.
But how do you get started? And — most importantly — ensure that your efforts lead to meaningful and lasting impact?
The Lab’s November 2024 publication — A Community College’s Guide to Building Strong Partnerships — offers higher ed practitioners actionable strategies for building and sustaining partnerships that both meet regional needs and support students, families, and communities.
The guidebook’s practices and case studies are informed by leaders across 17 community colleges and testing with 200+ stakeholders as part of the Education Design Lab’s Designers in Residence program.
Through our research, we’ve identified four key elements of strong partnerships:
+ Communication and collaboration
+ Shared vision
+ Adaptive and responsive
+ Action-oriented
Inside the guidebook, you will find guiding questions, tools, and case studies within each of the four elements — and how to establish a strong foundation and sustain and maintain the partnerships you’ve built.
By embracing a shared vision, remaining adaptable and responsive, prioritizing action, and fostering open communication and collaboration, these partnerships can create a more equitable, opportunity-rich future for all.
Pictured above: Dr. Jackie Thomas Jr. (left), part of the Lab’s second Designers in Residence cohort, during a design session at Lonestar Community College-Tomball in Texas. Learn more about our Designers in Residence program.
