Linking Higher Education Resources to the West Bank Business Community: A Program Manual

Abstract

In the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis, nonprofit organizations successfully access the higher education resources in the neighborhood. Nonprofits use service learners, volunteers and interns from the University of Minnesota and Augsburg College to expand their workforce and increase their capacity. The small business community on the West Bank has yet to fully tap into the higher education resource pool available. The West Bank Business Association’s “Intern Link” is a student intern position that can help businesses develop projects to meet their marketing, web or business consulting needs by connecting businesses to local higher education resources. These projects will also be rich, real-world learning opportunities for students. When the Intern Link connects business projects to higher education offices, both businesses and students benefit, and the West Bank’s economic development is sparked as a result. This report includes background and tools for carrying out the Intern Link program. It is formatted as a users’ manual to support the West Bank Business Association in its recruitment, orientation and supervision of the Intern Link position. At the time of writing in May of 2011, the WBBA Executive Director and the CHANCE Coordinator are securing funding for the Intern Link position and are implementing a recruitment plan with the expectation of filling the position by the fall of 2011. The Manual also provides tools for the Intern Link to use in implementing the program. A Directory of Student Assistance, included in the appendix, catalogues key higher education resources.