The Community Partner Program aims to address the lack of communication between Susquehanna University and the local Selinsgrove community through a student internship program. By creating internship opportunities for students with local businesses, the program hopes to strengthen relationships and increase student involvement in the community. Interviews with community members found that traditional methods like newspapers and email are preferred for communication. The program plans to hire student workers to coordinate events and update online resources like the community page and Handshake system to help connect students and local opportunities.

1. COMMUNITY
PARTNER PROGRAM

2. WHO WE ARE:
The Community Partner Program
• Problem: Lack of communication and
opportunity for students and locals
• Solution: Internship program to create
relationships between University and
Selinsgrove
• Community Partner Program- student
internships with local businesses and general entities
within the community

3. OVERVIEW
• Lack of communication
• Lack of student presence in downtown Selinsgrove
• Opportunity for growth outside of classroom
• Opportunity for growth within the community

4. IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM
• Jeff Reed, town mayor: "Susquehanna University needs to be more
transparent about their contributions to the community."
• Susquehanna ranks in the top five universities in Pennsylvania for post
graduate job placement
• Lack of information regarding community programs
• Moreover, there are different additional links for ways SU and the
community work together, mainly through service

5. SOLUTIONS
• Internship program
• Expanding Susqu.edu webpage
• "Working in the Community"
• Offered to students of any major with
correct skills
• Collaboration between JCCE and CDC

6. INFO FROM INTERVIEWS
• Many community members expressed that they would like to hear more communication
from the students
• Data from interviews showed that most community members use traditional media and
methods of communication
• Newspapers and Email are preferred
• Community members claim that SU students are the greatest resource the school gives to
the community
• Student experience can be used for the benefit of the community

7. EMPLOYMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
• JCCE position, collaboration with CDC
• Will plan events for businesses and students to
connect
• Update webpage and Handshake
• Student worker(s)
• Work in JCCE office under faculty member
• Will create longevity of program and address
student/local input
• Paid through work-study

8. WEBSITE
RECOMMENDATION:
Flaws in the System
• Community partner link on SU webpage unclear
• Outdated and doesn’t offer much information
Webpage Concerns
• Like GO experiences, include brief testimonials about
students' experiences working with local businesses
• Include link to Handshake and the student portal for
students
• Directly view internship postings
Sub header under the “In the Community” tab

9. WEBSITE RECOMMENDATION

10. COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS
• Students will gain experience in their field
• Connections created between Locals & SU Students
• Increased communication between SU & the community
• Positive relationship between SU & students
Benefits:
• Adding this to a staff members workload may require a raise
• JCCE would require additional resources
• Targeting specific majors could negatively impact relations between SU and students
• Limited positions, large applicant pool; limited applicant pool, surplus of positions
• Upkeep of internal servers (Handshake, Community Page)
Constraints and Costs:

11. MARKETING COMMUNICATION
• Brings awareness to new
program
• Will be posted around campus,
participating businesses, and
included in email marketing
• Subliminal messaging in colors:
Red (maroon) and orange
• School colors, evoking trust
• Red: power, excitement, passion
• Orange: energy, creativity,
enthusiasm

12. EMAIL
MARKETING:
• Poster is embedded in email
• Email headers will catch the
viewers eye
• Short and concise
• QR code will forward viewer to
website for more detailed
information

13. SECOND
ROUND OF
EMAILS:
• Reminder emails will be sent
twice a month to students
and locals
• Original posters will be
included in reminder emails

14. OVERVIEW AND FEEDBACK
Problem: SU and
community were lacking
in communication and
relations
Solution: Create an
internship program to
include local business
and students
Would bring students into
town, create personal
investment in local
success, benefit student
and local experience
Feedback and questions?