Karen Thurber Karen Thurber’s breadth and depth of commitment connecting WSU to Ogden City has been remarkable over the last seven years. Her knowledge of Ogden’s community organization and their needs has helped facilitate the civic engagement of over 30 projects. Additionally, she has been the Manager of Services for Homeless Families at Your Community Connection, Development Director of Ogden Weber Applied Technology College, and Senior Project Coordinator for Ogden City Community and Economic Development where she managed the 10 year Enterprise Community Initiative, School to Work Program, Operation Weed and Seed, HUD Consolidated Planning Process, Fair Housing and Sustainable Ogden Initiative. East Central Neighborhood Land Use Study: (2003) Geography Department: Upper division students undertook a lot by lot evaluation of land use in this 80 block neighborhood, providing current data and assisting the Ogden City IT Division to input the correct data into its system. Students also developed creative solutions to deteriorated sections of the neighborhood, presenting them to the Citizen Advisory Committee. Result : Ogden City had an updated land use data base and valuable recommendations to help develop the City’s 2005-2010 East Central Revitalization Plan. Community Benefit; More than 70 properties and vacant lots have been redeveloped in the East Central area, including new construction, renovation, infrastructure improvements and enhanced public spaces. Weed & Seed New Site Community Research Projects: (2000 & 2005) School of Social Sciences, Sociology Department. Research Methods students, along with students from the Foreign Languages Department, designed surveys and administered them, on-site, in two of Ogden’s highest crime neighborhoods. Result: 2000 – Ogden City received Weed and Seed recognition status, including a $1.1 million grant over 5 years, leveraged by over $40 million in community investment. 2005 - A comprehensive view of the level of resident concerns about crime and drugs. Community Benefit : The original Weed and Seed Site remains largely crime-free, with increasing investment, especially along Jefferson Avenue. Ogden City used the results of the second student to apply for a 2005 Department of Justice grant. Fair Housing Awareness and Education Research Project: (2004- 05) School of Social Sciences, Social Work Department: This one-semester project involved an entire class researching the level of awareness and understanding of federal and state Fair Housing laws among residents, real estate agents and housing providers. Result: Ogden City used the findings to develop an “Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing” in 2005 and obtain a large federal grant to increase education, particularly among Hispanic residents, about their Fair Housing rights. Community Benefit: As of February 2008, more than 5,000 residents have directly learned about their fair housing rights, avoiding exploitation and discrimination. Tip-a-Cop Program Evaluation / Re-branding Project: (2002-03) School of Social Sciences, Psychology Department: Numerous students were involved in this project for more than a year to evaluate the effectiveness and perceptions of the anti-drug “Tip a Cop” program in Ogden’s inner-city neighborhoods and to help the program “re-brand” itself to be more effective. Result: A new, comprehensive media campaign resulting in an increase in calls to the hotline and successful investigations of over 600%. Community Benefit : Reduction in drug related crime and an increased awareness among residents of Ogden’s highly impacted East Central neighborhood Nonprofit Conference Research Project – 2001 – Goddard School of Business / MBA Program: Two MBA students developed and implemented a study of nonprofit community within the United Way of Northern Utah’s service area. Result: A framework for undertake nonprofit capacity building training. Community Benefit : Annual non-profit conferences held in 2004, 2005 and 2006, plus three smaller training sessions with a total enrollment of over 500. “Karen’s brain is a database filled with professors’ interests and community needs. She is a master at getting people together…students feel her enthusiasm and become eager to collaborate.” --Alicia Giralt (Nominator) Weber State University Committed Community Partner Utah Campus Compact A Sample of More than 30 Community Involvement Projects 2001-2007