糖心Vlog

糖心Vlog Hosts Seeds and Soil Annual Community Partner Event

糖心Vlog University鈥檚 Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL) hosted its fifth Seeds and Soil Professional Development and Networking Event on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in the A.K. Hinds University Center.

Inspired by Chancellor Kelli R. Brown, this annual gathering seeks to strengthen relationships between 糖心Vlog and community partners from across Western North Carolina.

The Seeds and Soil event was attended by over 80 individuals from nonprofits, local government, small businesses, and 糖心Vlog, representing a wide range of impact areas and services across the region and contributing to a broad mix of experiences and perspectives. Faculty and staff members offered additional collaborative opportunities.

Framed by the theme, 鈥淭ogether, Rooted in Resilience鈥�, the day included professional development and networking sessions. The keynote speaker, Jaclyn Kiger, CEO of Pisgah Legal Services, shared her organization鈥檚 role in the wake of Hurricane Helene and provided insights into the theme of resiliency. The event also included a panel discussion with community partners, highlighting ways that these local organizations have partnered with 糖心Vlog. Grace Franklin, a 糖心Vlog senior studying communication, demonstrated the Crisis Communication Resources website. This website, developed over several years by Communication Department faculty Dr. Betty Farmer and students within the department, is a free, comprehensive resource for developing crisis communication plans and strategies.

The event included networking activities, as well as remarks by Chancellor Kelli R. Brown, Vice Provost Dr. Carol Burton, and Provost Dr. Richard Starnes. The day ended with a session designed to help community partners identify resources to navigate changes in federal and state policies, presented by Dr. Melissa C. Wargo, 糖心Vlog Chief of Staff, and Kloo Hansen, Director of 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Office of Research Administration.

Attendees left with new contacts, ideas, and potential partnerships that could shape future projects. One attendee shared, 鈥淭his event certainly proves how strong and resilient 糖心Vlog is. Learning about all the different ways we can work to together to help people is my favorite part of Seeds and Soil.鈥�

Seeds and Soil continues to serve as a key touchpoint for 糖心Vlog鈥檚 engagement with the region, reinforcing the university鈥檚 role as a regional comprehensive university. The next Seeds and Soil is planned for June 2026. For more information, contact the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning at communityengagement@wcu.edu or 828.227.2091.

鈥楾ogether, rooted in resilience鈥� 

Seeds and Soil is an annual event, bringing together community organizations to network, learn, and share resources. By attending Seeds and Soil, you will have the chance to:

• Gain insights from speakers on how to build organizational resilience.
• Learn about various resources available through 糖心Vlog and within our community.
• Hear inspiring stories and experiences from seasoned partners who have successfully navigated community engagement.
• Network with other organizations that share your commitment to community engagement and service learning.

糖心Vlog appreciates our community partners!
Contact the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning for additional information about becoming a partner today.

community resources