Background
Keystone Collective Impact (KCI) is a Penn State Outreach program that utilizes a collaborative project and partnership approach to community engagement designed to achieve systems-level change by advancing equity, collaborative learning, goal alignment, and action integration. By aligning Penn State’s mission as a 21st-century land-grant institution with community-identified priorities, KCI seeks to generate collaborative solutions and measurable progress through continuous learning and shared measurement systems.
Mission & Vision
Mission
The mission of KCI is to leverage the collective resources, knowledge, and expertise of the University in collaboration with community stakeholders to address complex challenges throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.
Vision
KCI aims to foster transparent and adaptable university-community partnerships where trust, support, and empowerment thrive. Through unified efforts and mutually reinforcing activities, KCI endeavors to improve the lives of citizens on a local to global scale and serve as a catalyst for transformational change.
Conditions for Success
Successful implementation of the KCI model requires five conditions:
- Common agenda
- Shared measurement
- Mutually-reinforcing activities
- Continuous communication
- Strong backbone
Transformational Outcomes
KCI is designed to produce transformational change, including but not limited to:
- Siloed programs >>> Collaborative programs
- Limited impact >>> Systems-level change
- Funding competition >>> Shared funding & resources
- Individualized metrics >>> Shared measurement
- Specialized language >>> Common definitions
- Inconsistent communication >>> Continuous communication
- Resistance to change >>> Inclusive navigation
Connect with us
To discuss potential partnerships, implementing the KCI model, or for more information, contact KCI@psu.edu