By Ashley Antonini

NORMAL – An Illinois State University organization that strives to keep the university and it’s students tied to the community presented the results of its Community Partner Survey report Tuesday afternoon.

Partnership, participation, and progress were all key themes in the survey report made by the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning at ISU. The survey was filled out by 55 local organizations, either current or potential partners with the school.

Assistant Director of Service Learning Harriett Steinbach says that the goal was to gain an understanding of the relationships and experiences with those community organizations.

“We can’t just guess, we can’t just assume that we know what the community wants and needs,” Steinbach said. “We need to hear from them so that we can build the right foundation.”

The CESL is nearing the end of its first year in existence. Steinbach believes this survey serves as a roadmap to how the organization should progress.

“It guides us as Illinois State and it strengthens our relationship with our community partners,” Steinbach said.

Steinbach will report a similar presentation at Illinois Wesleyan’s Action Research Center Wednesday afternoon.

Ashley Antonini can be reached at [email protected].