SL_PROFILE_WCU_0919_Layout 1 9 / 13 / 19 1 : 48 PM Page 2 offers her multiple perspectives that help to with its own warehouse in Newtown Square . Carnegie Foundation recognized the uni - inform her business decisions . Wardell had been living in West Chester versity as a community - engaged institution . “ WCU draws in students from all over since 2010 . After starting Design Life Kids in Last year , more than 6,800 students provided the country and world ; the visions that they 2014 , she found she needed help . She wanted in excess of 668,000 hours of public service have will be able to truly enlighten and to support the community and “ young in the community . bring new ideas to the table , ” she says . creative minds , ” so she decided to post job “ WCU has a long history of commitment “ I’m eager to see how the program pro - opportunities directly with WCU , seeking to to the community , ” adds Susan Argentieri , gresses for both the students and each busi - hire students and alumni . She added her who serves the university as CCS liaison . ness that participates . ” company’s first employee through WCU , “ The idea for CCS evolved in response to As the owner of a small business , she and others have followed . an interesting question . If you have a uni - has seen the firsthand benefits of working “ It’s been a wonderful , ongoing rela - versity in your community , the first question closely with “ fresh and open - minded indi - tionship , as I feel they are such a supportive you should be asking when a problem viduals ” who are based right in her backyard , team at WCU , ” she says . “ The university is surfaces is : ‘ I wonder how our university figuratively speaking . always looking to support local businesses can help us ? ’ ” CCS was established to provide a single point of contact for the community to connect with the university and its resources . How the process works : Organizations in need of assistance submit an Engagement Application to the CCS . Faculty members working closely with CCS staff then carefully review the application and specific requests for assistance to deter - mine how to best to align WCU resources with the organization’s specific needs . During the university’s previous fiscal year , 51 organizations con - tacted CCS for assistance , according to Argentieri . This resulted in 40 undergraduate and graduate students supporting as many as 70 projects . Students developed and applied their skills , enhanced their education experiences , and involved themselves in the com - munity . Projects included designing a new logo D for the Chester County Health Department , pro - viding social media and For more information about the marketing assistance Dr . Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial for Local Yoga Café , cre - Leadership Center and the Center ating a new Transport - for Community Solutions , visit ation Unit for the Master www.wcupa.edu . Planner Program offered by Chester County 2020 , writing strategic mar - keting plans for Baroni Estate Planning and “ The idea that WCU has student resources Elder Law , and mapping to share with companies such as my own is Pattie Diggin , Director of the and GIS work for local huge , ” says Wardell . “ Students are eager to cottrell center ( left ) , anD townships and parks find their way into the work force , figure out SuSan argentieri , center for community SolutionS liaiSon through the university’s what their dream is , and learning the roots Geographic Information of business from a small company is such Systems lab . an ideal way to do so . Working directly with and their students by connecting them with a company owner , creator , and entrepreneur businesses in the community . This semester helps students understand what it takes to I will be working with the marketing depart - ‘ A Wonderful , Ongoing Relationship ’ build a business and make those dreams ment’s Special Topics class that focuses on Kim Wardell has benefited from this entrepre - come to fruition . ” entrepreneurial marketing and marketing neurial outreach . Wardell , a former e - commerce She speaks from experience . analysis , and I couldn’t be more excited . ” customer service rep and manager , had spent “ It’s how I learned how to run a busi - Wardell loves the idea of working directly years as a stay - at - home parent . During that ness myself , ” she says . “ I worked directly with students . Not only does it create expe - time she began a lifestyle blog , which she with the owners of a business during my riential - learning opportunities for students turned into DLK ( Design Life Kids ) , an online ? internship , and here I am today . ” who will benefit from the work , but it also store that has grown into a flourishing business SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM SEPTEMBER 2019 | 65