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.