Community-Campus Collaboration

The Collaborative for the Common Good

2019 - 2024

The CCG, under my leadership, became a tangible expression of Wingate University’s mission to be a Lab of Difference Making—a space where engaged, planetary citizenship took root through collaboration, ethical action, and service to the common good. The purpose of the CCG was to work with community and campus stakeholders to transform Eastern Union County by improving the overall social, economic, and ecological well-being.

The CCG was powered by people who embraced evidence-based research, creative collaborations, and entrepreneurial thinking. This was how we helped to co-create innovative and sustainable solutions to the greatest challenges facing Eastern Union County.

In October 2024, I passed the torch to a new director and team appointed by the University. Stepping out of formal administration has allowed me to move more fully into the work that energizes me most: partnering with local, state, and national nonprofits that are addressing food waste, hunger, and ecological justice.

I am grateful for the foundation we built at the CCG and am now focused on “boots-on-the-ground” capacity-building—helping organizations strengthen their infrastructure, deepen their impact, and cultivate vibrant, flourishing communities.

The Power of We

Final Thoughts (October 2024)

Designed and managed the operation and growth of the Wingate Farmers Market, one of the only campus-community collaborative and incubator markets in the nation. Four seasons -- 180% increase in attendance in 4 seasons & created entrepreneurship incubator
In 18 months, increased campus use of free store by 400% (4500 students) and secured over $90,000 in in-kind donations. Hundreds of pounds of food diverted from landfill
Designed three community-wide ROOTS summits, each engaging over 100 stakeholders, resulting in actionable recommendations shaping degree and community programs
Fostered a Knowledge Democracy by launching an online series of white papers -- 34 published since 2020 helping partners track impact and secure grants
Organized 2023 campus-community day of service, driving a 48% student participation rate in over 50 events involving 14 community stakeholders -- inspiring record breaking donation generation ($380K)
Supported over 34 high impact Service Learning and Community Engagement classes involving over 53 stakeholder organizations since August 2022
In October 2024, mobilized over 200 athletes from across campus to participate in a walk with over 150 people from within our local IDD community, showing solidarity for those battling breast cancer

Impact Report (2023)

Impact Report (2022)

Impact Report (2021)

Impact Report (2020)

If you’d like to explore how the CCG lived out its purpose and goals, I invite you to look through the four impact reports I oversaw during my tenure as Executive Director. They offer a vivid picture of what we accomplished together—and just how powerful the power of we can be.