The year 2009 marks 150 years since Grinnell College has been a part of the town of Grinnell and nearly ten years since the creation of the Office of Community Enhancement. Not only do these anniversaries give us reason to celebrate, but they also give us opportunity to reflect on the connections between our College and our town. Most importantly, they spur us to reaffirm our commitment to being strong neighbors, partners and mutual advocates and to work even harder to strengthen the bonds between "town" and "gown."

To that end, Community Enhancement has become Community Enhancement & Engagement, a change aimed at better acknowledging and harnessing the full breadth of resources that Grinnell College can share with the local community. This includes, but is not limited to, financial resources.

As a first step in broadening this focus, we are currently working on two new projects. The first is an inventory of the work undertaken by the Grinnell College faculty with ties to our local community. The ultimate goal is to make this information available on-line, providing 'one stop-shopping' for those interested in learning about the community-based work undertaken on campus. At the same time, we are also working to expand the scope of the office webpage - focused on being a stronger gateway to campus resources for the general public.

If you have suggestions about information you would like to see here, please contact the office with your ideas.

Monica Chavez-Silva
chavezsm@grinnell.edu
Director of Community Enhancement & Engagement

Grinnell College's Office of Community Enhancement & Engagement works to strengthen Grinnell College by helping its hometown to become a thriving destination locally, nationally, and internationally.

We are committed to contributing responsibly as a citizen as well as to making the town a stronger asset in attracting students, faculty and staff. To do this, the office serves as a liaison between Grinnell College and the surrounding community, administers the college's gifts and grants, and actively facilitates other town/gown connections that enhance the vitality and quality of life in Grinnell.

For more information about Grinnell, visit:

  Grinnell Chamber of Commerce
  City of Grinnell
  Poweshiek Iowa Development
  Imagine Grinnell