Open AccessTown & Gown - University and Community Leaders’ Perceptions on Mutually Beneficial Relationships: An Urban American University Case Study
Author(s) -
Joe Harasta
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
athens journal of mass media and communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2407-9499
DOI - 10.30958/ajmmc.8-3-2
Subject(s) - isolationism , institution , ignorance , perception , public relations , sociology , state (computer science) , service (business) , sense of community , community engagement , political science , psychology , politics , social science , law , marketing , business , algorithm , neuroscience , foreign policy , computer science
This study examines the relationship between an urban university and its community through the perspectives of university and community leaders. Employing a phenomenological approach, the researcher used in-depth interviews for both groups of leaders to solicit their opinions about the relationship, the influences affecting the relationship, and what steps could be made to improve the relationship. Findings indicate a desire from both sides to improve relations between the institution and neighboring communities. However, a disconnect exists between what university leaders believe they are doing to improve the relationship and what community leaders actually interpret the university doing. Community leaders indicate mismanaged communication, conflicting messages, and isolationism as the university’s primary offenses affecting the relationship. University leaders state that the community’s stubbornness, lack of appreciation for university-initiated community improvements, and ignorance toward the University’s mission negatively affects the relationship from the community’s side. The article includes the techniques used to alleviate this disconnect. Keywords: town-gown, community relations, service learning, community engagement, public relations