A new partnership between Lawrence University and Appleton Downtown, Inc., gives Lawrence students the opportunity to apply concepts they are learning in class to real‑world community challenges.
Facilitated by Lawrence’s Center for Community Engagement, the collaboration connects students and faculty with community partners to co‑develop projects that address issues such as safe walkability, downtown experience, and quality-of-life concerns.
“This is a mutually beneficial partnership that illustrates Lawrence University’s commitment to community-engaged learning and local collaboration,” said Michelle Buchinger, coordinator for Experimental Learning & Community Engagement at Lawrence University. “We’re excited about this partnership and looking forward to creating many more like it.”
The interdisciplinary course brings together students from the business and entrepreneurship and psychology programs. Students provide time, capacity, and fresh perspectives, while ADI gains analysis and research support to inform long‑term planning.
“This is a great way to garner information, gain new perspectives, and work side-by-side with residents to gather the data,” said Jennifer Stephany, executive director at ADI.
Because many students live downtown, they can provide firsthand perspectives on community dynamics. The experience can help create a bridge from the student to the community, deepening their local connections and increasing the likelihood they will remain engaged in the region after graduation.
The Center for Community Engagement encourages other Fox Cities organizations to explore similar partnerships. Projects are developed collaboratively and tailored to organizational needs and course goals, with CCE providing facilitation and support to ensure projects are manageable and impactful.
“Experiential learning projects are a valuable way to integrate real-world impact into our courses,” said Carrie Picardi, J. Thomas Hurvis, professor of organizational psychology and collaboration, and associate professor of psychology at Lawrence University. “With creative collaboration, we can design projects that allow students to apply concepts they are currently learning. This course, Organizational Development, is interdisciplinary and weaves together business and psychology topics such as behavioral change, research methods, strategic planning, and innovation. I am thrilled to partner with ADI and provide my students with this opportunity.”
For more information about partnership opportunities, contact community.engagement@lawrence.edu.
