Strategic Priority: Economic Development and Community Development

Leverage campus and university assets to promote regional community development

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Action Steps

1. Audit university community relations and outreach programs (e.g., UMass Community Campaign, Eureka program) appropriate for extension to the Mount Ida Campus.
    
2. Work with regional K–12 and nonprofit partners to connect prospective first-generation college students and underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in Greater Boston with UMass Amherst via the Mount Ida Campus.
    
3. Continue development of Mount Ida Campus Faculty Speaker Series and develop other opportunities to leverage faculty expertise for community enrichment programming in the Newton-Needham region.
    
4. Work with Athletics and colleges/departments to extend youth sports and youth academic camps and programs to the Mount Ida Campus.
    
5. Identify opportunities for collaboration with UMass sibling campus community development programs in Greater Boston.

Measure: No. of new community partnerships; Attendance at community events; No. of positive media impressions

Establish the campus as a "third place" for the broader UMass community to gather and connect

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Action Steps

1. Promote access to Mount Ida Campus amenities to alumni, faculty, and students and develop new amenities (e.g., UMass Amherst Club).
    
2. Work with the Office of Advancement to promote alumni events and programming on the Mount Ida Campus.
    
3. Coordinate with colleges, Advancement, Athletics, and others to utilize the Mount Ida Campus to enhance Boston-area events and programs (e.g., ancillary events, parking, overnight accommodations).
    
4. Work with relevant business units to develop mobile technology that allows university community members to schedule conference and/or social space on the Mount Ida Campus.

Measure: Alumni event attendance; Innovator badge registrations

Establish a leading presence in the regional economic development community

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Action Steps

1. Make engagement with the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce, N2 Innovation District, other regional business organizations, government agencies, and nonprofits a priority for campus leadership and staff.
    
2. Work with business organizations and the City of Newton Economic Development Division to utilize the Mount Ida Campus for meetings, seminars, and events.
    
3. Leverage UMass government relations capacity to attract state and federal grants and other funding for university-sponsored or collaborative economic development initiatives.
    
4. Establish the Mount Ida Campus as a center for university economic development research and programmatic activities (e.g., UMass Donahue Institute events).
    
5. Leverage faculty expertise and student project teams to support regional transportation and infrastructure initiatives.

Measure: No. of association/committee memberships/placements; External funding received