Jayhawks Rising: Fostering Engagement for Community Impact Across Kansas and the Nation

The Office of Community Impact leads KU’s Jayhawks Rising goal to "Foster Engagement for Community Impact Across Kansas and the Nation". Guided by the Carnegie Community Engagement Framework, this initiative builds coordinated partnerships, celebrates changemakers, and strengthens KU’s connection to communities across Kansas and beyond.

Goal: Engagement for Community Impact  Across Kansas and the Nation

The Office of Community Impact at the University of Kansas leads the Jayhawks Rising goal to expand and strengthen community engagement. This initiative creates a sustainable infrastructure that connects KU’s teaching, research, and service to meaningful impact locally, statewide, and nationally.

Objectives of Jayhawks Rising: Fostering Engagement for Community Impact

  1. Institutionalize a Coordinated Community Engagement Infrastructure
  2. Foster Mutually Beneficial and Respectful Partnerships with Local Communities
  3. Promote Implementation of the Carnegie Community Engagement Framework to Guide Institutional Progress

Leadership and Collaboration

This initiative is led by Dr. Nicole Hodges Persley, Vice Provost for Community Impact, and Jomella Watson Thompson, Associate Vice Provost for Community Impact, with support from the Campus Goal Team members appointed by the Provost:

  • Darin Beck (Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center)
  • Michelle Carney (School of Social Welfare)
  • Kate Kemper (Center for Service Learning)
  • Derek Kwan (Lied Center of Kansas)
  • Kristie Lacle (KU Alumni Association)
  • Carolyn McKnight (Office of Economic Development)
  • Emily Ryan (The Commons)
  • Saralyn Reece Hardy (Spencer Museum of Art)

Together, this Campus Goal Team advances the Engagement for Community Impact area of the Jayhawks Rising plan, supporting KU’s mission to engage communities in ways that serve Kansas and the world.