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Paper Presentation

University-Community Partnerships

Session: Building Inclusive, Community-Driven, and Identity-Affirming Social Work Spaces

Building Bridges: Connecting Students, Practitioners, and Community through A 'Just Practice' Symposium

Learn about how NLU’s Social Work Program hosted the ‘Just Practice’ Symposium, a collaborative event connecting students, educators, and professionals. The symposium featured expert-led sessions and networking opportunities to bridge gaps between community colleges, four-year institutions, and employers, fostering career readiness and strengthening multi-organizational partnerships for student success.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
  1. Gain insight into the planning, execution, and impact of NLU’s ‘Just Practice’ Symposium as a model for fostering professional development and networking opportunities for students, practitioners, and community leaders.
  2. Share best practices for establishing and sustaining mutually reciprocal partnerships between academic institutions and community organizations to enhance student success and career readiness.
  3. Take actionable steps for hosting similar initiatives that connect students with faculty, professionals, and employment opportunities, ensuring long-term collaboration and engagement.