The Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network and the Great Lakes Inclusive Postsecondary Education Alliance (GLIPSEA) had the privilege of presenting at the 17th IASSIDD World Congress on Wednesday, August 7. The team presented on operationalizing collective impact and Leading by Convening in the creation of a regional alliance. Susanna Miller-Raines, Alliances Manager at Think College, and the GLIPSEA Leadership Team, comprised of Jessie Green, Katie Norland, John Andresen, and Kyle Closen, led the presentation.
Susanna shared the tenets of Collective Impact, and the team from GLIPSEA explained how they operationalized those tenets to create and grow a regional alliance. They also walked through some of the Leading by Convening activities they used to initiate their regional alliance.
One of the key lessons discussed was the importance of sharing diverse perspectives. When team members from different backgrounds and experiences come together to set the agenda, it leads to creative solutions tailored to the specific needs of the region. This collaboration has been a driving force behind GLIPSEA's success.
Another important lesson is the value of organic leadership growth. As the alliance has continued to meet and work together, leadership has naturally emerged from within the group. This has helped foster a sense of collective responsibility, with all members feeling invested in the alliance's work and goals.
Finally, ongoing communication and mutually reinforcing activities have been crucial to maintaining progress. By keeping in regular contact and working on complementary projects, the alliance has stayed focused on its shared goals and continued making strides toward improving programs in the Great Lakes region.
Overall, the work of GLIPSEA and the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network highlights the importance of collaboration, communication, and shared responsibility in supporting the growth and success of Inclusive Postsecondary Education programs.