Developing a world-class environment to enhance student success and improve the quality of life in the region and beyond.
ETSU Vision
In 2017, ETSU approved a 10-year strategic plan that focused on six pillars of success: Student Experience, Equity and Inclusion, Empowering Employees, Excellence in Teaching, Research and Scholarly Activity, and Stewardship of Place. The QEP directly addresses the goals outlined in the 6th Pillar: Stewardship of Place
Leading the region forward through community engagement and service
- Create and provide appropriate resources to identify and depict clearly mission-based community and public service provided at ETSU by faculty, staff, and students
- Assure that ETSU maintains ongoing annual reporting of activity sufficient to address SACSCOC reporting and adherence to the expected standards for warranting inclusion in the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
- Create opportunities for students to engage with the community that promote community and public service and active citizenship
- Engage in service activities that promote economic development in the region
- Through the Academic Health Sciences Center and interdisciplinary partnerships, expand our engagement in research and service opportunities that promote the health and wellness of the region and pursue the opportunities associated with the potential merger of the regional health care systems
- Reflect commitment to the Arts Initiative through construction and occupancy of a Performing Arts Center, expanded programming as envisioned in the Arts Initiative, and expanding the number of art and cultural service opportunities available to students in partnership with the external community
- Emphasize the university’s role to foster research and economic development in the region
How will Go Beyond the Classroom support Community Partners?
- Create an institutional entry point for community partner communication purposes.
- Determine and manage expectations of community partners.
- Implement a coordinated process to assess how community-engaged learning impacts student learning and the identified needs of community partners.
Current Initiatives and Programs
Use this online portal to connect with students who want to work with agencies, non-profit organizations, and volunteer initiatives in the Appalachian Highlands region. Community partners can post their one time and on-going service opportunities at this site.
ETSU Elevates is a program where students propose a new service project or enhance an existing service project to address a community need. Applicants are required to establish partnerships consisting of members from the ETSU community and surrounding community. ETSU Elevates was launched in 2019 but paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A new program will launch in late April 2023.
Community Partners seeking a point of contact at ETSU should contact Dr. Susan McCracken, Vice Provost for Community Engagement, at mccrackensd@etsu.edu