Most recently, Freeman served as the Entrepreneurial Specialist for the Small Business Development Center at the Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council. In this role, he provided vital resources to underserved entrepreneurial communities across a seven-county region. His work was guided by strong personal relationships and community-informed program development that elevated local startup ecosystems. 

“Sean has a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our region, and we are excited to welcome him to this role,” said Leslie Sieck, Vice President for  Strategic Initiatives at C-SC and former Executive Director of Tri-State Development. “His experience, relationships, and community-first mindset will be invaluable as we continue to expand the reach and impact of Tri-State Development.” 

In addition to his economic development expertise, Freeman brings a background in  higher education, having previously served as Director of Admissions at Hannibal-LaGrange University. His combined experience uniquely positions him to continue and grow the impact of Tri-State Development through training, tools, and resources that support long-term regional economic growth. 

Freeman will work closely with Sieck, who recently stepped into a new leadership role at C-SC to support the continued growth of strategic programs and initiatives that serve the broader tri-state region. Tri-State Development is an initiative of 91ֱ�� focused on supporting economic and community growth across a 42-county region in northeast Missouri, west-central Illinois, and southeast Iowa. 

C-SC’s Tri-State Development program, which supports the region through cultivating collaborative relationships, promoting interdisciplinary problem-solving, and fostering initiatives between academic, organizational, and industrial entities, was awarded the honor during the UEDA Summit, Innovating for a Sustainable Future, held Oct. 8-10 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The program was a finalist for the award along with the University of Texas at Dallas and Virginia Tech University.

“It is a great honor for 91ֱ�� to be named the winner of the prestigious Engaged University Award of Excellence for the work that we are doing through the Tri-State Development program,” said Leslie Sieck, executive director of the Tri-State Development and vice president for economic and workforce development at C-SC. “We are proud to have leaders from higher education institutions across the country validate our efforts and recognize the impact we are making.”

UEDA, which was established in 1976, works to bring together higher learning institutions, nonprofits, business leaders, government organizations, and community economic groups to enhance economic opportunity in both a local and regional capacity.

C-SC’s Tri-State Development program seeks to develop an environment for collective impact to help build a thriving economy and workforce throughout Northeast Missouri, Southeast Iowa, and Western Illinois. The finalist that best represents initiatives that drive regional academic, organizational, community, and industrial success is chosen by the UEDA following a six-month competitive process that includes a detailed application, peer reviews, and presentations.

“This award is a symbol of our commitment to being a true partner in the communities we serve, and we will continue to support and invest in the programs, projects, and people of the tri-state region,” Sieck said.

Photo (left to right): UEDA President Dominique Halaby, Associate Provost Georgia Southern University; Leslie Sieck, Vice President for Economic & Workforce Development at 91ֱ��; UEDA Board Member Jenny Mizutowicz, Director of Economic Development City of Richardson, Texas.

]]> /news/2023/culver-stocktons-tri-state-development-program-named-2023-ueda-awards-of-excellence-finalist/ Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:21:41 +0000 /?p=25601 91ֱ�� (C-SC) has announced the college’s Tri-State Development program has been named a 2023  (UEDA) Awards of Excellence finalist.

Since UEDA was formed nearly 50 years ago, its membership has grown to include over 160 organizations across the country that are represented by leaders who are committed to sharing expertise in efforts to promote economic development.

C-SC’s Tri-State Development supports the region by cultivating collaborative relationships, promoting interdisciplinary problem-solving, fostering the expansion of academic-organization-industry initiatives, and developing an environment for collective impact to help build a thriving economy and workforce throughout Northeast Missouri, Southeast Iowa, and Western Illinois. The program serves to promote and expand initiatives that drive regional academic, organizational, community, and industrial success.

The UEDA Awards of Excellence finalists that best represent these initiatives are chosen through a comprehensive six-month competitive process that involves a detailed application process, peer reviews, and online presentations. C-SC’s Tri-State Development was named a finalist in the Engaged University category, which recognizes initiatives that link all three UEDA legacy awards categories together. Those categories include Talent, Innovation, and Place. Culver-Stockon College is joined in this category by the University of Texas Dallas and Virginia Tech University.

“We are very honored to have our efforts with Tri-State Development recognized by the UEDA membership,” said Leslie Sieck, executive director of the Tri-State Development Summit and vice president for economic and workforce development at C-SC. “Tri-State Development is an academic, stakeholder-driven organization that links our 36 counties together in a distinct, unique way to help drive positive outcomes. This distinction is a nod to the important collaborative work being done at the community level by the people, organizations, and businesses in the region.”

C-SC’s Tri-State Development has made a significant regional impact with a network that conducts academic research and data analysis, distributes e-mail surveys, facilitates meetings and focus groups, provides data and insights for decision-makers, and helps with program and academic project development.

Winners of UEDA’s Awards of Excellence will be named during the organization’s summit set for Oct. 8-10 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Tri-State Development operates as a collaborative effort among stakeholders to support economic initiatives within the 36-county region of Northeast Missouri, Southeast Iowa, and West Central Illinois. The organization supports the region by cultivating collaborative relationships, promoting interdisciplinary problem-solving, fostering the expansion of academic-organization-industry initiatives, and developing an environment for collective impact to address the current and emerging political, economic, and social challenges in the region. Civic and industry leaders, elected officials, education professionals, and community organizations work together to identify challenges and promote initiatives that drive regional growth.

“The Annual Tri-State Development Summit provides an opportunity for a region-wide focus on the challenges impacting economic development in our communities, such as workforce shortages, lack of available childcare, the housing crisis, and access to broadband internet. By coming together to learn from one another and to work toward solutions we create opportunities for growth and positive outcomes,” said Leslie Sieck, executive director of the Tri-State Development Summit and vice president for economic and workforce development at C-SC.

This year’s event begins with an introductory workshop for economic development for community leaders at 1 p.m. on Sept. 13. This workshop will provide community members with the knowledge needed to help identify and assist with economic development priorities in their communities. A networking event will follow the workshop. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet other members of the organization, exchange business cards, and enjoy appetizers and a cash bar.

The summit continues on Sept. 14 with registration and breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by opening remarks at 8:30 by Sieck and Quincy Mayor Mike Troup. Lou Zacharilla, founder of the Intelligent Community Forum, will deliver the keynote address. The program includes a number of breakout sessions and presentations. The full day’s events can be viewed on the website at .

The Tri-State Development Summit is open to the public and all are invited. Registration is now open. Please visit for more information.

Leslie Sieck, Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development at 91ֱ�� and Executive Director of Tri-State Development, said the pilot program aims to connect students with communities and community leaders within the region.  Through direct participation in Tri-State Development task forces and meetings, students will work alongside leaders who are making important decisions and steering vital conversations in economic development focused decision-making.

“Interns in the program will also compile research and present their findings in a variety of ways, including through blogs, infographics, and whitepapers,” she said. “They will have the opportunity to take what they learn and create content for social media and engage their peers and community members in advocacy for what they discover and for what becomes important to them.”

About Tri-State Development

Tri-State Development at 91ֱ�� is a collaborative effort formed in April 2022 to support the region by cultivating collaborative relationships, promoting interdisciplinary problem-solving, fostering the expansion of academic-organization-industry initiatives, and developing an environment for collective impact to address the current and emerging political, economic, and social challenges in the region. Through a $1 million donation from philanthropist Thomas A. Oakley, the initiative reaches 36 counties throughout northeast Missouri, southeast Iowa, and western Illinois.

The new organizational structure will include an annual meeting held in each of the three states sequentially, and will rebuild the task forces for transportation, the Mississippi River, education, agriculture, tourism, workforce development, connectivity, housing, and other vital areas in order to grow the economies of the entire region. The original and continued intent of the Tri-State Development Summit is to speak with one voice to 3 Governors, 6 United States Senators, 5 United States Representatives and all the State and local elected officials in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.

The Summit was first established in 1996, following the 1993 major flood on the Mississippi River that resulted in the bridge at Hannibal being closed for 76 days and the bridge in Quincy for 72 days. “These closures,” explains Oakley, “demonstrated the dependence of the region on the River. As a result, the Tri-State Development Summit was originated as a collaborative vision over 25 years ago by a group of regional leaders. The mission of the Summit was to ensure that our entire region work together to address the issues that would allow the entire, approximate 100-mile circle of the tri-state region to grow and thrive economically.”

Oakley adds, “Unfortunately, in recent years, because of lack of funding and the loss of many of the original Summit leadership group, much of the efforts the task forces has declined, with the exception of a Summit meeting held every two years, which in its self has accomplished a good deal.”

“What’s unique about this new partnership,” adds Palmer, “is that there will be a cohesive, daily focus with all sectors coming together to drive positive change. Leadership from higher education institutions will join with economic development organizations, along with a select group of advisors, and specialist in various key areas, that are seeking economic growth in our region. We will be working together to create a pipeline for workforce development initiatives and long-term economic enhancements. Our community and industry leaders will outline task force priorities that will create new opportunities for each of us to contribute. This is an exciting time for us to work together to make significant strides for our shared, collaborative benefit.”

The transformational gift to establish the Tri-State Development Summit at 91ֱ�� will provide for a full-time Executive Director who will serve as the key management leader responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the Summit.

“The impact of this gift by Mr. Oakley cannot be overstated,” said Palmer. “What we are creating here is a unique partnership that brings together experts across disciplines and multiple state and county lines in order to make a real, collective impact that will benefit not one of us, but all of us; building a level of distinction for our region that we believe will unlock opportunities for this generation and the next as we tap into the investments of education, community and economic development, infrastructure, policy research and so much more all while addressing the important issues facing our area.”

The Tri-State Development Summit at 91ֱ�� is currently conducting a search for an individual to serve as the Executive Director. To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Leslie Payne, Vice President for Advancement and Marketing, 91ֱ�� at LPayne@culver.edu.