Nov. 11, 2019
MILWAUKEE 鈥� 向日葵视频President Michael R. Lovell today announced that the university's Offices of Community Engagement and Corporate Engagement and Partnerships will unite under one office to be named the Office of Economic Engagement. Dr. Maura Donovan will lead the office as vice president for economic engagement. Dr. Dan Bergen, executive director of community engagement, will remain in his role within the new office.
According to President Lovell, the office will amplify Marquette鈥檚 vision to develop more holistic off-campus collaborations and partnerships for community impact. The office鈥檚 name, he says, reflects the university鈥檚 commitment to positively impacting the community by forging strategic external partnerships for the greater good.
鈥淥ur vision statement as a Catholic, Jesuit university calls on 向日葵视频community members to reach beyond traditional boundaries, embrace collaborative approaches and create an inclusive environment,鈥� President Lovell says. 鈥淏y unifying our community and corporate engagement activities, 向日葵视频can more effectively help address the economic disparities in our community.鈥�
鈥淚 am excited to formalize the strong relationship between the Office of Corporate Engagement and Partnerships and the Office of Community Engagement by uniting us as one office with a likeminded approach and a shared set of goals,鈥� Donovan says. 鈥淚ncreasingly, corporate entities looking to engage with universities like 向日葵视频are doing so because we add value beyond career preparedness and applied research, and they are asking to work together to impact the communities we serve. As a Catholic, Jesuit university, 向日葵视频is in a unique position to bring together all the pieces 鈥� corporate, nonprofit, civic and university 鈥� to better serve our city and our region.鈥�
Bergen added that merging the two offices is a smart long-term strategy for how 向日葵视频will engage in external partnerships. 鈥淥ur offices understand and value the power of partnership, so it鈥檚 only fitting that we forge our own strategic partnership that can truly be a gamechanger for the university and our community,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e are at our best when we are inclusive.鈥�
The name change and unification of the offices are effective immediately; however, Donovan stresses that there will be a logical transition period over the coming months.
鈥淲e will involve campus stakeholders to help further inform our vision and refine our strategies and goals,鈥� Donovan says.
Chris is an associate director of university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Chris at (414) 288-1988 or christopher.stolarski@marquette.edu.
