Findings from the 2017 KC Connector Project focused on mapping the educational ecosystem social networks in the Greater Kansas City area

1. @KCconnector
USING SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS
TO FIND EDUCATION INNOVATORS
…AND BRING THEM TO THE TABLE
Karen Stephenson, Edith Gummer & Jocelyne Helbling

2. @KCconnector
The Team
Karen Stephenson
NetForm International
Jocelyne Helbling
Emergent Visual Analytics, LLC
Edith Gummer
Arizona State University
Sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation

3. @KCconnector
@KCconnector
Tweet us your
questions during
the presentation!
We’ll continue answering
questions throughout the day

4. @KCconnector
WHAT?...
…is the Kansas City Connector Project

5. @KCconnector
Purpose of the KC Connector Project
To connect communities in Kansas City and
build a network of trust by identifying the
unsung heroes - those who keep things going
and get things done!

6. @KCconnector
Geographic Scope of Study
• 2 States
• 6 Counties
• 63 LEAs of
which 22 are
charter

7. @KCconnector
What is a Connector?
Connectors are people who get things done through others by serving as a “pocket of
trust.” They “are far more important than we would ever have imagined - the people
who know everyone in some oblique way may actually run the world. In a very down-
to-earth, day-to-day way, they make the world work.”
-Malcolm Gladwell
“We may all be created equally by law, but we are unequally connected in trust.
Trusted connection is non-random, which means we can do something about it.”
-Karen Stephenson

8. @KCconnector
Social Networks Are Built on Trusted
Connections
8
5 Community Values
DECISION-
MAKING
WORK
SOCIAL
INNOVATION
EXPERTISE
IMPROVEMENT
STRATEGY
LADDER OF TRUST
CAREER
IMPLEMENTATION
ACCESSIBILITY
ASPIRATIONAL
Social Capital
(Networks)

9. @KCconnector
Sample Questions for Nominations
• Who do you consider to be particularly innovative?
• Who do you think has the expertise to turn great ideas
into reality?
• Who has the integrity, and guts to help get things done?
• Who is an effective implementer?
• Who could you depend on to gather and wisely
coordinate the area’s resources to meet a challenge?

10. @KCconnector
The Process of Connecting
•
• Gather nominations from the population – snowball sampling.
• Cull nominations, clean data for “ballot box stuffing,” etc.
Step 1: Soliciting Nominations
• Analyze data by question type and determine top 100 or so “connectors.”
• Ask connectors how they know each other with a 5-10 minute survey
Step 2: Identify the Ecosytem
• Convene connectors in a public recognition ceremony.
• Let connectors and other civic leaders decide/develop next steps.
Step 3: Project Outcomes

11. @KCconnector
SO WHAT?...
…why the Connector Project

12. @KCconnector
PUBLIC FOR-PROFIT
NON-PROFIT
EDUCATORS & HYBRIDS
COMMUNICATION
NETWORK BY SECTOR

13. @KCconnector
PUBLIC FOR-PROFIT
NON-PROFIT
EDUCATORS & HYBRIDS
INNOVATION NETWORK
BY SECTOR

14. @KCconnector
PUBLIC FOR-PROFIT
NON-PROFIT
EDUCATORS & HYBRIDS
EXPERTISE NETWORK
BY SECTOR

15. @KCconnector
NOW WHAT?...
…what happens next

16. @KCconnector
The Challenge for Kansas City
• How can Kansas City build on the efforts started
by the KC Connectors to accelerate and expand
the change network

17. @KCconnector
Outcomes from Past Projects
• Convened connectors to build additional connections
• Receptions/social gatherings honoring the connectors’ efforts
• Social media groups as a platform for surfacing ideas
• Initiated mentorship program to develop the next generation of
Connectors
• Created High School Curriculum on Connected Leadership
• Put Identified Connectors at the Table
• i.e. populating task force committees with the people already “boots on the ground.”

18. @KCconnector
To Be Continued…
Breakout Session: Social Network Analysis &
Network Impact 1:15-3:00pm in Troost Room
How can revealing and expanding the trust
networks accelerate education innovation within
and across communities in the US?

19. @KCconnector
THANK YOU!
@KCCONNECTOR
INFO@SNA-CONNECTOR.COM