Augustana invites Quad Cities communities to partner in solving regional challenges

From lead pipes to sustainable energy, Quad Cities communities face urgent challenges. Augustana College invites local governments and nonprofits to share their biggest problems, and the college will bring the students, faculty and expertise to help solve them. Applications are due Nov. 15, 2025.

The Augustana Accelerator, through the Upper Mississippi Center for Sustainable Communities, creates one- to two-year partnerships that align student coursework, faculty expertise and applied research with pressing regional challenges. 

Partner organizations can propose projects in areas ranging from health equity, sustainability and public policy to business strategy, design and cultural preservation.

Past partnerships have produced measurable impact across the region, including:

• Surveyed 12,000 Rock Island homes to identify lead pipes and support public health protection.
• Engaged more than 100 students in sustainability planning with local municipalities.
• Helped communities secure more than $1 million in funding for infrastructure and conservation.

“Communities across the Quad Cities region are balancing urgent needs with limited resources,” said Dr. Michael Reisner, director of the Upper Mississippi Center (UMC). “The Accelerator gives them access to a college’s worth of talent — students, faculty and research capacity — while providing our students the opportunity to hone their critical thinking and civic problem-solving skills, as well as navigate a diversity of perspectives from local communities.”

The Accelerator is a cornerstone of Augustana’s Bold & Boundless strategic plan, reinforcing the college’s role as a force for the Quad Cities, linking education, innovation and community problem-solving. 

“The Accelerator represents what Bold & Boundless is all about, connecting through partnership and preparing students to lead through serving communities,” said Andrea Talentino, president of Augustana. “Every collaboration strengthens both our region and our students’ sense of purpose.”

Communities gain expertise and added capacity; students gain real-world experience that prepares them to lead. Every partnership becomes both a classroom and a catalyst for change. 

“It is a powerful example of how community-engaged learning benefits both our students and the region,” said Erin Kempker, director of engaged learning, teaching and scholarship for Augustana. 

“Students gain real-world experience by working alongside faculty and community partners to tackle complex issues — conducting research that directly addresses community needs and sharing their findings in meaningful, accessible ways," she added. "This kind of work builds research skills, critical thinking and civic responsibility, while also advancing solutions that strengthen local communities.”

Communities interested in applying should submit proposals by Nov 15 (guidelines and application materials).

With the Accelerator, Augustana is proving that a liberal arts college can be a partner in shaping the future of an entire region.

Founded in 2013, the Upper Mississippi Center (UMC) mobilizes Augustana faculty, staff and students to work with communities in addressing pressing social, economic and environmental challenges. By bridging academic resources and local needs, the UMC prepares students to lead while helping the Quad Cities region thrive.