Athletic stadiums, factory expansions, office parks, live-work-play communities … these are common examples of economic development activities that make news headlines. And, the firms being featured often have marketing staff to promote the financial and employment impacts calculated by quantitative analysts. What, though, about the social and religious organizations whose activities help bind communities but whose work does not generate profit? Is there a financial and employment benefit from these organizations?

A handful of students in Wingate University’s Byrum School of Business asked those very questions. Working with Dr. Kristin Stowe, the path toward answers led students to wide-ranging learning experiences, from the University’s operations and its connections with the community, to the business analytic apps Excel and IMPLAN, to the trusting teammates’ to come through with key deliverables for a client.

In Spring 2020, with support from the CCG and University administration, the Byrum School of Business piloted the service-learning course Economic Impact Analysis. The active pedagogy promotes learning through experience. In service-learning, “students work with others through a process of applying what they are learning to community problems, and at the same time, reflecting upon their experience as they seek to achieve real objectives for the community and deeper understanding for themselves" (Eyler and Giles, 1999).

Eleven upperclassmen enrolled and worked with two community partners. The students learned technical aspects of economic research, from sound survey methods to data coding to the business analytic apps Excel, IMPLAN and Maptitude. Moreover, the students developed soft-skills in demand by many employers through group work, regular Zoom meetings, presentations for clients and the preparation of a professional report. The students divided into two teams, one analyzing Wingate University’s economic impact and one analyzing the potential economic impact of various land development scenarios for the town of Matthews, NC.

Value added by the University, an indicator of GDP, totaled nearly $104.6 million countywide. Alumni living in the region supported 202 jobs and created over $25 million in economic activity. Spending by University students supported 96 jobs and created $8.4 million in economic activity. Spending by visitors to Wingate University supported 61 jobs and contributed $5.4 million in economic activity. $14.6 million of construction spending supported nearly $18.8 million in economic output and 137 jobs.

In total, Wingate University generated $168 million in economic activity and supported 1,293 jobs in Union County during 2019, summing direct, indirect and induced impacts.

Check out the Google Drive below for more data and insight into the Economic Impact Project!

One of our many activities occurring this summer was our Cultural Leadership Initiative, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion on Wingate University's campus. From this initiative, the creation of a student-led group focusing on leadership and inclusion, called the Cultural Leadership Initiative Student Internship Program, was born!

The CCG Executive Board is thrilled to announce our first five student interns:

CLI Student Interns were chosen based on the following application criteria:

1. Highly motivated students with experience in leadership and commitment to the organization’s mission

2. Passion for building networks of allies through working with fellow students, as well as faculty/staff mentors

3. Goal of promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion on Wingate’s campus

Throughout the year, students will work with mentors and the CCG Executive Board to promote leadership and diversity on campus, through various training workshops; courageous conversations; and student-led initiatives to promote change through the Power of 'We' to improve well-being on campus.

Stay tuned to take this wonderful journey along with them!

One of our favorite ongoing university partners, Dr. Castello has recently transitioned into the role of Dean for the Porter B. Byrum School of Business. Helping promote CCG's "Power of We" by collaborating with the CCG Executive Board and colleagues to better the lives of Eastern Union County residents! Learn more about Sergio - and his work - in his podcast episode on Against the Grain, linked below!

We were excited to be joined by one of our future community partners for an episode of our CCG Podcast Against the Grain...Ms. Rayni Collins, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Qualified Supervisor & Dance/Movement Therapist from the Center from Emotional Health!

Rayni Collins, dancing queen, joined us to talk about her work at the Center for Emotional Health. Serving individuals in over 17 locations in North Carolina, this private mental health organization provides Rayni and her colleagues an excellent place to council and help our neighbors.

Some of her best memories/favorite moments are when her clients "hear" her in their head during life's moments in helpful, healthy ways. Though she claims to only be there as a catalyst, it was clear to Cathy and Lacey that Rayni's personality and drive to help others is infectious and exciting!

At the organization, Rayni uses her background in dance performance and choreography in her counseling and therapy - a creative combo - to create a holistic approach to help emotional health through mind, body, and spirit.

Learn more about Center for Emotional Health at their website, or read about them below:

Mission Statement: To improve the quality of life of individuals and families from all walks of life by compassionately serving their mental health and addiction needs.

Who We Are: At Center for Emotional Health (CEH), our medical staff has vast experience in treating a broad range of mental health issues. We emphasize the importance of a thorough evaluation, which we feel is essential for a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. A significant amount of time is spent educating our patients about all of their treatment options.

Our services include:

• Individual, Couples, or Group Counseling
• Medication Management
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
• Telepsychiatry - virtual appointments options

Our Areas of Expertise:

• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Anxiety and Panic Disorder
• Child/Adolescent Treatment (Age 4+)
• Marriage/Relationship Counseling
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Veteran Mental Health Care
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Medication Management
• Forensic Consultations
• Footprints Drug and Alcohol Treatment
• Long and Short Term Psychotherapy

If you would like to get involved with the Center for Emotional Health or learn more about their amazing work, you can contact Rayni Collins at raynic@cehcharlotte.com; listen to her podcast episode below; or reach out to us at ccg@wingate.edu

Wingate alumnus Boyce Adams helped establish the Union County chapter of the Burned Children Fund with other firefighters in the county in 2002. "The funds that we raise is dedicated to the support, education, and recovery of burn survivors and their families and the prevention of burn injuries. We also support the two burn centers in North Carolina, Baptist in Wake Forest and the Jaycee Burn Center.

The following cities/towns participate in the fund: Fairview, Hemby Bridge, Indian Trail, Lake Park, Marshville, Marvin, Mineral Springs, Monroe, Stallings, Unionville, Waxhaw, Weddington, Wesley Chapel, and Wingate.

The powerful partnership between the CCG, Chartwells, and the Union County Burned Children Fund chapter hope to recycle all aluminium can goods produced as waste by our dining facilities.

Thanks to Beth Mack and team at Chartwells, and Jon Williams, Deputy Fire Marshal, and Wyatte McBryde, Assistant Fire Marshal, for providing the trailer and pick-up and drop-off.

Learn more about the Firefighters' Burned Children Fund by checking out:

Firefighters' Burned Children Fund, Inc - Union County Chapter

President - Jon Williams (Union County Fire Marshal)

Website: http://www.ffbcf.org/chapters/union_county.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Union-County-Chapter-Firefighters-Burned-Children-Fund-695933644191366/

Please join the Collaborative for the Common Good for our CCG Series, workshops, Lyceums, and events on - and around - Wingate University to share what we do and how to get involved! This month, feel free to join us for:

• Sept. 15th @ 6pm EST - CCG Lyceum - CCG 101: The Power of 'We' (join via Zoom link, released in Lyceum Line Up emails or here!)
• Sept. 21st @3:30pm EST - CCG Learning Series: What is Service Learning? (join via Zoom here)
• Sept. 29th @5pm EST - CCG Lyceum - Powerful Partnerships on Campus (Part 1): Chartwells (join via Zoom link, released in Lyceum Line Up emails or here!)

Find all of our Against the Grain podcast episodes on iTunes and Spotify, or click the link for Apple Podcasts below!

Want to join us on an episode of Against the Grain? Sign up for a time that works for you at this link!

Unsure of how to start your own project? Want to join in on an already-running project? Reach out to us at the following link to complete our CCG Interest Form: https://forms.gle/7aqxTzqrhmEDr8Rp7

Want to learn more or join the CCG? There are various ways to get in touch with us - we would love to hear from you!

Email: ccg@wingate.edu
Website: https://www.wingate.edu/around-campus/common-good
Location: 102 West Wilson Street, Wingate, NC, USA
Phone: 7042338067
Facebook: facebook.com/CCGWingate
Twitter: @CCGWingate