About the Office
Mission
Strengthen Grinnell College by Helping Our Hometown To Become a Thriving Vibrant Community.
Activities
Grinnell College is committed to contributing responsibly to our local public resources 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 local gifts, grants, and investments, and actively facilitates other sustainable, collaborative partnerships to enhance the vitality and quality of life in Grinnell.
Focus Areas
Activities focus on strengthening community resources, especially cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities as well as initiatives that enhance the safety, beauty, and economic vitality of our surroundings.
Philosophy
Grinnell College's Community Enhancement & Engagement efforts are driven by a few basic ideas:
- Collaboration: As a community, we can be more effective by working together to accomplish our common goals. In a town of 10,000, it's usually better to combine, rather than duplicate, efforts. Where possible, Grinnell College seeks to work with other community partners and support creative collaborative partnerships.
- Relevance: By working in partnership with other community organizations, we help to ensure that we are focusing on timely community priorities.
- Sustainability & Promise: While we strive to support any idea to build town/gown relationships and enhance the quality of life in Grinnell, we concentrate our efforts on developing lasting, sustainable partnerships that can carry on into the future.
Website
On this site you will find information about office programs, the town of Grinnell, Events on- and off-campus, and Grinnell College resources for the greater Grinnell community. If there is information that you'd like to see here, feel free to contact the office with your suggestions.
Monica Chavez-Silva, chavezsm@grinnell.edu Director, Community Enhancement & Engagement
