How does SEED (Students Engaged in Economic Development) fit within the University of Arkansas Economic Development Institute (UAEDI) structure?

What is the situation that inspired the creation of SEED?

So, what is it that UAEDI attempts to so with SEED?

How long does a SEED project last?

Is there official class credit for a SEED Product, and if so, how?

Can SEED projects cover virtually any topic taught at the University?

Who initiates the request for a SEED project?

Do communities pay to participate in a SEED project?

What is the role of UAEDI once the SEED project is underway?

What is the purpose of publicity in a SEED project?

What would students want to participate in a SEED project?

Why would faculty want to participate in a SEED project?

Why would a community want to participate in a SEED project?

What are the primary expectations to be avoided in a SEED project?

What are the intangible “good things” that are associated with SEED Projects?

Can graduate student research be considered a SEED project?

Are SEED Projects limited to the University of Arkansas?

What is UAEDI’s vision about how SEED can help Arkansas?

Who do I contact for more information about SEED?



Q: How does SEED (Students Engaged in Economic Development) fit within the University of Arkansas Economic Development Institute (UAEDI) structure?

A: SEED is one of the five core activities of UAEDI. ( Core Activities)

Q: What is the situation that inspired the creation of SEED?

A: There are many faculty who require class projects in their courses. Among these faculty, most would prefer a “real world” project, hopefully one that would benefit both students and a community (defined in the broadest sense). Ideally, these types of projects would also lead to more projects later on and serve to advance professional careers. However, these faculty are often unaware of the needs of communities.

Likewise, communities often need creative thinking about issues of importance to them but have only limited resources to address them. In addition, they are unaware of how to contact or work with faculty about such issues.

If these two groups could somehow get together, it would be a wonderful “win-win” situation where everyone benefits. The return from a very limited investment could be magnified many times over in ways no heretofore considered.

Q: So, what is it that UAEDI attempts to so with SEED?

A: UAEDI works with faculty and communities to match faculty seeking real-world projects for their classes with projects in community-based economic development programs. A SEED project is established when this linkage is fully established.

Q: How long does a SEED project last?

A: It depends on the nature of the project and the type of class. A SEED project may last a few weeks, an entire semester, or longer.

Q: Is there official class credit for a SEED Product, and if so, how?

A: Most often, a SEED project is simply part of a regular “for credit” class. Therefore, credit and requirements for the class are set by the university and the faculty. SEED projects provide a more meaningful focal point for a class project, but they do not alter the academic credibility or objectives of a class.

Q: Can SEED projects cover virtually any topic taught at the University?

A: Yes, so long as the course instructor is using a project that promotes the mission of UAEDI, usually in direct partnership with a community outside of the university.

Q: Who initiates the request for a SEED project?

A: The desire to participate in a SEED project can originate from either faculty or communities or though using the UA Capabilities Database.

• From Faculty: A SEED project can originate when faculty members contactsUAEDI seeking a project for their students. After determining the scope of the desired projects, UAEDI will attempt to find opportunities from among its on-going programs that will meet the criteria of the faculty. Faculty are then connected with the appropriate community representatives to develop the project and establish mutual expectations.

• From Communities: SEED projects may also come from communities, again used in the broadest sense of the word. Communities simply contact UAEDI to discuss the possibilities for a SEED project. If appropriate, UAEDI attempts to identify classes and faculty members that would be interested in pursuing that type of project opportunity for their students.

• UA Capabilites Database: This database can be used by University of Arkansas System faculty to enter their interest about participating in a SEED project or to inform others about their programs and areas of expertise. Users of this database via the UAEDI website have contacted faculty directly about participating.

Finally, faculty and community representatives come together to work out the scope of the project with UAEDI often serving as the facilitator.

Q: Do communities pay to participate in a SEED project?

A: While there is no formal charge to a community for participating in SEED, the community would be expected to pay for any direct cost that the project incurs over and above what would be incurred otherwise. The agreement as to what expenses are to be paid and in what form is established between the community and the course instructor before the SEED project actually begins. To date, expenses have typically from $500 to $1,500. Examples of expenses that have been paid by communities include travel, supplies, copying and presentation materials.

Q: What is the role of UAEDI once the SEED project is underway?

A: Throughout the course of the project, UAEDI remains in contact with the principals and provides any possible support and assistance. In addition, UAEDI publicizes the work through community-based events and appropriate media.

Q: What is the purpose of publicity in a SEED project?

A: Publicizing SEED projects serves the following purposes:
• It informs the university community about student and faculty accomplishments and the opportunities that exist for others to participate in SEED projects.
• Publicity within the project community – from public meetings and displays of student work to articles and interviews in local newspapers – lets community members see the results of the projects and their impacts on larger issues in their area, thereby encouraging more ideas for other SEED projects.
• It makes the citizens of Arkansas aware of how the faculty and students in higher education in general and the University of Arkansas in particular are engaged in promoting economic, community, educational and leadership development throughout the state.

Q: What would students want to participate in a SEED project?

A: There are several reasons that include:
• Participation in SEED allows students to confront the issues that arise when dealing with real clients while they can still look to their teachers for insight.
• By synthesizing and applying the knowledge they have acquired at the University to real issues, students see that their education has substantially increased their value as both employees and citizens.
• Students may make connections within the scope of the project that directly or indirectly lead to future employment opportunities or business relationships.
• There may be the opportunity for professional presentations and papers, depending upon the nature of the project and the professional goals of the faculty.
• The partner community may provide limited funding to meet some of the expenses incurred by students in the class.
• Students have the opportunity to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of the people of Arkansas in general, and often their home communities in particular.

Q: Why would faculty want to participate in a SEED project?

A: Reasons that a faculty member might want to participate include:
• Adding relevance and quality to the class.
• Gaining professional recognition by making professional presentations about the SEED project experience.
• Making contacts in the community for professional purposes.
• Making it easier to get future class projects of high quality.
• Possibility of turning a SEED project into a funded research project.
• Wanting to be part of helping something good happen in a community.

Q: Why would a community want to participate in a SEED project?

A: A community might want to participate in a SEED project because:
• Creative ideas are needed at an affordable cost.
• Opportunity to turn a SEED project into a larger funded project.
• Not enough resources to afford large scale investment in generating ideas about particular issues.
• Want to be a partner with higher education for purposes of marketing the community.
• Want the children of the community to see first hand the value of a partnership with students.
• Desire certain “products” in the form of conceptual plans and drawings, reports, presentations, recognition, etc.

Q: What are the primary expectations to be avoided in a SEED project?

A: Course instructors should not expect to get large sums of money from a community to do a SEED project, nor should they automatically expect opportunities for professional presentations or grant funding.

Communities should not expect “products” in quantity or quality or in timeframes that would normally come from professionals in that field, nor should they expect course instructors to provide the additional funds needed to make the project meet the special needs or desires of the community. Communities should recognize that the timeframe for delivery of certain “products” is established by the course instructor, that product quality will vary and is not guaranteed, and that some students will not perform to minimum standards.

Students should not expect the communities to satisfy their every need for information or funding, and must recognize that in the end, they are responsible for meeting the standards set by the course instructor and not the community.

Q: What are the intangible “good things” that are associated with SEED Projects?

A: Experience to date with SEED projects have been overwhelmingly positive. The experience that comes from communities, teachers and students working together for the greater good far surpasses the rewards from “make believe” projects. Most of these projects lead to something else, and what comes next is often a surprise, most often pleasant, to everyone!

Q: Can graduate student research be considered a SEED project?

A: Yes, if the research is clearly consistent with the UAEDI’s mission. The procedures about this are currently being developed.

Q: Are SEED Projects limited to the University of Arkansas?

A: No. In fact, we have an ongoing SEED project that involves high schools and another large project that is just beginning that, if successful, will involve a wide range of partners including community colleges, state agencies, and high schools as well as the University of Arkansas. UAEDI will work with any community or institution, as appropriate, on a SEED project. At the same time, its initial focus has been on the faculty and staff at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus.

Q: What is UAEDI’s vision about how SEED can help Arkansas?

A: SEED allows Arkansas to more fully utilize the intellectual and physical resources of its faculty, students and communities in a very cost effective manner, one SEED project at a time. In addition, it can do much to create a pipeline of talent that extends from any Arkansas community to the University of Arkansas or other institutions of higher education, and then back again, with stops along the way at businesses, community organizations and community colleges. This talent pool can then be used to more effectively and efficiently enhance the prosperity and well-being of the people of Arkansas.

Q: Who do I contact for more information about SEED?

A: Contact either Otto Loewer, Director of UAEDI, or Carolyne Garcia, Assistant Director of UAEDI



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