State Alliances Affinity Group
AFFINITY GROUP FACILITATOR
Susanna Miller-Raines
Regional Alliances Manager
Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network
susanna.millerraines@umb.edu
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Featured Resources
The purpose of this group is to give an opportunity to existing and potential inclusive postsecondary education programs and partners to discuss how and why these statewide alliances are important, how to maintain them, and more. Anyone working on any type of formal or informal state-level connection, proposing systems change through alliances and consortia, or those who are simply curious about how these alliances can work, are welcome.
Meeting Schedule
Zoom Registration for all meetings
May 25, 2023, 3-4pm ET
- The first half of the meeting will include a discussion of working with State Boards of Regents for Higher Education. The second half will be an open forum to discuss anything you'd like to get peer input on regarding your alliance work.
July 26, 2023, 3-4pm ET
September 21, 2023, 3-4pm ET
Past Meetings
Engaging Interns and Graduate Students in State Alliance and Coalition Building
Date: March 22, 2023
Summary: Many group members shared successes in using LEND trainees or social work students in their alliance work. Attendees also talked about the importance of finding projects on their alliance that aligned with the intern's interests.
Joining State and Regional Alliances
Date: January 19, 2023
Summary: This meeting was a facilitated discussion around building out participation in state and regional alliances. Group members shared challenges and solutions to address a range of things, including needing staff time devoted to alliance work, connecting with different types of schools (ex: community colleges), sharing alliance leadership, and building regional connections.
Needs Assessments
Date: November 30, 2022
Summary: An example of a statewide needs assessment was provided. The group discussed the logistics of running a needs assessment and how the information collected can help to inform expansion and obtain funding for new programs.
Lessons Learned
Date: September 15, 2022
Summary: Members of the State Alliances Affinity Group had opportunities to share their lessons learned with colleagues. Then we had time for members to crowdsource answer to their questions about working on a state level.
State Legislation and IPSE
Date: July 27, 2022
Summary: Denise Rozell from AUCD spoke on state legislation and IPSE. She gave an update on legislation and policies that have been added over the last year and answered questions from state alliance leaders.
Regional Alliances
Date: May 19, 2022
Summary: Susanna introduced the group to the draft plan for regional alliance as part of the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network. The group discussed the stages of implementation through the Implementation Science Framework, as well as the alliance focused strands at the upcoming SEPSEA Conference and State of the Art pre-conference.
Deciding which Colleges to Expand to Next
Date: March 17, 2022
Summary: This meeting was a group discussion of strategies for state alliances to support the growth of programs within their states. Georgia, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, and California shared their approaches over the years.
Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network (TCN) Project
Date: January 20, 2022
Presenter: Dr. Danie Roberts-Dahm, TCN Project Coordinator
Summary: Danie presented on the new Think College Network, which will focus on building capacity for more regional alliances across the country. There was discussion about TCN's upcoming public awareness campaign and the development of CTE and employment workgroups.