In a moment of uncertainty in higher education, we write to share strong support to university staff or faculty involved in the good work of running EPIC programs, particularly in the United States.
We feel for you, and many of us are experiencing the same pains. We have great empathy for your possible personal vulnerability, and awareness that many of you have relationships to whom you feel responsibility. Please know you have our support in doing this important work.
In these challenging times, our collective mission “to unite the human capital of universities with local governments and communities to improve the quality of life and social wealth for all involved” is more important than ever. We encourage you to use this moment to advocate for the value of your program to your institutional leaders, community champions, and elected officials.
We encourage programs to frame your work as programs and partners who build trust in the value of higher education by: (1) creating genuine partnerships with local governments (or community organizations); (2) intentionally aiming to improve communities and quality of life; and (3) focusing on community-identified, -driven, and -evaluated contribution to the community. Along with the benefit to communities, of course, the work of EPIC-N programs also (4) benefits university students’ career development–building essential skills such as problem-solving, innovative thinking, collaboration, professional communications, openness to feedback, and adaptability. When discussing your work within your own universities, we think it is entirely appropriate to advocate for your universities to invest in your EPIC-N program as a way to invest in productive local problem-solving and student career preparation and alongside representatives from local municipalities serving as co-educators and mentors of their next generation of potential co-workers. Right now is the time to advocate for the value of your program.
We very much look forward to continued partnership with you and we look forward to seeing you all in Chicago at our annual conference with SRI June 16-19.
In the meantime, thank you for the important work you do!
Courage!
EPIC-N Chair & CEO, on behalf of all members of the EPIC-N Board of Directors: Ilona Ballreich, Branden Born, Mazi Ferguson, Ann Marone, Courtney Griesel, Travis Kraus, Ann Marone, Sean O’Donoghue, Jane Rogan, Joel Rogers, Marc Schlossberg, Connie Frey Spurlock.
NB: Opinions expressed by EPIC-N board members do not necessarily reflect official positions of their home institutions.