Social and Economic Development Initiatives at VCU's Division of Community Engagement
Our social and economic development initiatives aim to uplift community members through strategic partnerships, alignment, and impactful projects. Led by Stephen Davenport, our Assistant Vice President for Social and Economic Development, these initiatives follow a comprehensive and iterative implementation plan:
Implementation Pathway:
- Community Input: We start by gathering insights from the community to understand their needs, concerns, and priorities.
- Program Development: Based on community input, we develop targeted programs to address the identified needs and goals.
- Resources: Resources are allocated to support effective program implementation.
- Community Engagement Initiatives & Projects:
We lead efforts to build support and engage stakeholders around our program objectives. Our community engagement projects equip residents with information about working with local government and offer tools that encourage active participation in civic and community-driven efforts. - Return to Community Input: Feedback loops are established to continuously engage the community, gather additional input, and assess the program's effectiveness.
- Continuation: The process repeats, incorporating new insights and feedback to refine existing programs and develop new ones, ensuring continued relevance and impact.
Current Workforce and Economic Development Projects:
- CE Council: Aligning VCU resources with project goals for enhanced economic development.
- Economic Development Advisory Board: Community members directing VCU economic development projects.
- SWAM Initiatives: Enhancing spending with local businesses in collaboration with VCU's treasurer and infrastructure departments to promote economic prosperity.
- Human Resource Hub (HR HUB): Offering micro-credentials and HR support, including mock interviews, to community members for potential employment at VCU.
By fostering a continuous dialogue with the community and leveraging our resources, we strive to create sustainable social and economic development and thriving communities.
Meet with Stephen Davenport, AVP of Social and Economic Development
Connect with Stephen Davenport, our Associate Vice President for Social and Economic Development, to discuss VCU's strategic initiatives for transforming communities through impactful projects and partnerships, as well as other resources and opportunities for growing our partnerships.
Resources
As a valued community partner, you have exclusive access to several VCU resources to support your engagement and collaboration with us:
- Gym Access: Enjoy full access to our state-of-the-art fitness facilities for a cheaper fee.
- Library Access: Utilize our extensive library resources for research and development for free.
- Parking Access: Convenient parking facilities available for your visits for a cheaper fee.
- Library Resource Guide: A comprehensive guide to assist you in navigating and utilizing our library services effectively.
These benefits are designed to enhance your experience and support our ongoing partnerships.
To become an affiliate reach out to us at engage@vcu.edu.
How to Become a SWaM Member
Become a vendor/supplies: