ERIC Number: EJ1092932
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1534-6102
EISSN: N/A
Outreach and Engagement in a Retail Environment: The University Meets Home Improvement
Teaford, Margaret H.; Zavotka, Susan L.; Price, Christine A.
Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, v11 n4 p135-146 2006
Even at land-grant institutions, faculty seldom work with commercial retailers on community programs. Retailers can help with outreach and engagement programs because they provide the "natural habitat" for consumers the programs seek to address. Allied health, family science, and interior design faculty at the Ohio State University worked with Lowe's Home Improvement Stores to bring information to the public on home modifications and universal design, a concept that advocates for environments for people of all ages and abilities. Lowe's has collaborated in offering in-store workshops, products, and displays for consumers interested in making home modifications, as well as a universally designed model kitchen and bathroom. Because of differences in academic community and retail cultures, working together calls for flexibility; however, such collaboration can yield benefits to both partners. Retail store environments are not always ideal for teaching, but utilizing them can help academic outreach programs reach consumers.
Descriptors: Retailing, Interior Design, Allied Health Occupations Education, Consumer Economics, Outreach Programs, Housing, Workshops, School Business Relationship, Program Descriptions, Adult Students, Universities, Community Programs
Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, University of Georgia and the Institute of Higher Education. Treanor House, 1234 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30602. Tel: 706-542-6167; Fax: 706-542-6124; e-mail: jheoe@uga.edu; Web site: http://www.jheoe.uga.edu
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Adult Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ohio
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A