Partnering for economic development: How town-gown relations impact local economic development in small and medium cities

Abstract

Universities play an increasingly prominent role in shaping regional, social, and economic development. In Canada, however, spatial, economic, and social differences between universities and their host communities continue to challenge positive town–gown relationships and undermine the benefits associated with high concentrations of prospective young, “creative” graduates. The purpose of this article is to identify the factors that lead to positive town–gown relations and, subsequently, encourage graduate retention. Through this research, university and town administrators were found to play a key role in establishing a positive relationship between students and community members. Local employment opportunities were also found to help students build an experiential relationship with their localities and make them more likely to settle there after graduation.

Impact of Community Engagement on Students’ College Experience

“…Also, it is interesting to see some students who took part in the community tours expressed interest in staying in the community after graduation. One of the major concerns of this community and many communities is the difficulty of keeping students in the local area after they graduate (Massey et al, 2014). Engaging with the community with programs like the ones described in this study could help address that issue.…”

“…Steinberg et al (2011) argue that the public purposes of higher education require colleges and universities to prepare students to successfully navigate the intersections of academic study, personal identity and civic experiences during the undergraduate experience and throughout their lives after graduation. In the meantime, communities where colleges and universities are located often have the desire to see graduates of these institutions choose to stay locally after they complete their studies (Massey et al, 2014). A possible approach to helping accomplish that objective is to cultivate students' interest in the local community through engaging both the community and students (Thach et al, 2018).…”

“…A possible approach to helping accomplish that objective is to cultivate students' interest in the local community through engaging both the community and students (Thach et al, 2018). Furthermore, when students have a good understanding about the local economy and employment opportunities, they are more likely to stay in the community and start a career there after they graduate (Massey et al, 2014).…”

Untitled

“…A similar program at the University of Pennsylvania specifically seeks to build mutually beneficial relationships that aid distressed West Philadelphia neighborhoods while providing faculty and students funds for program development and assistantships. Generally, colleges and universities provide a multitude of opportunities, both economic and cultural, to their communities, and they need to both utilize and publicize these benefits (Massey et al 2014).…”

Experiential learning and the university’s host community: rapid growth, contested mission and policy challenge

“…Moreover, unlike international connections, local TG connections are singularly shielded by territory, absolute ‘competitive advantage’ circumscribed by geography for exclusive university-host community relationships. For example, graduate retention in local economies is boosted by employment associated with EL opportunities (Massey et al, 2014 ). From this perspective, one understands Ontario’s SMA sector planning approach of performance funding linked to EL, itself nested within economic development goals.…”