Augustana College‘s Upper Mississippi Center (UMC) is inviting applications for community partnerships through its Augustana Accelerator program.
Cities, counties, and local organizations are encouraged to submit proposals for one-to two-year collaborations aimed at addressing high-priority regional challenges.
The Augustana Accelerator connects community partners with experienced UMC faculty and students to develop solutions. Projects can span a wide range of areas, including health equity, sustainability, public policy, business strategy, design, and cultural preservation.
Previous partnerships have demonstrated significant regional impact, including:
- Surveying 12,000 Rock Island homes to identify lead pipes and bolster public health protection.
- Engaging more than 100 students in sustainability planning initiatives with local municipalities.
- Assisting communities in securing more than $1 million in funding for infrastructure and conservation projects.
“Communities across the Quad Cities region are balancing urgent needs with limited resources,” said Dr. Michael Reisner, director of the Upper Mississippi Center (UMC). “The Accelerator gives them access to a college’s worth of talent — students, faculty and research capacity — while providing our students the opportunity to hone their critical thinking and civic problem-solving skills, as well as navigate a diversity of perspectives from local communities.”
Founded in 2013, the UMC mobilizes Augustana faculty, staff and students to work with communities in addressing pressing social, economic and environmental challenges.
A cornerstone of Augustana’s Bold & Boundless strategic plan, the Accelerator reinforces the college’s role as a force for the Quad Cities, linking education, innovation and community problem-solving.
“The Accelerator represents what Bold & Boundless is all about, connecting through partnership and preparing students to lead through serving communities,” Augustana President Andrea Talentino said. “Every collaboration strengthens both our region and our students’ sense of purpose.”
Communities gain expertise and added capacity; students gain real-world experience that prepares them to lead. Every partnership becomes both a classroom and a catalyst for change.
“Students gain real-world experience by working alongside faculty and community partners to tackle complex issues — conducting research that directly addresses community needs and sharing their findings in meaningful, accessible ways,” said Erin Kempker, director of engaged learning, teaching and scholarship for Augustana. “This kind of work builds research skills, critical thinking and civic responsibility, while also advancing solutions that strengthen local communities.”
Communities interested in applying should submit proposals by Saturday, Nov 15. Visit here for an application, guidelines and more information.
