Augsburg Local
Augsburg’s role as an anchor institution is included as a priority in the Augsburg150 strategic plan. In collaboration with partners on- and off-campus, the Sabo Center developed a framework, called Augsburg Local that highlights the ways that Augsburg engages as an anchor institution, through community engaged learning experiences, work experiences in our communities, engagement between the campus and our neighbors, investment in local organizations and businesses, and leadership in local community efforts. This extends typical ideas of anchor institutions beyond economic partnerships as we continue to develop deep roots in our communities.
Anchor Institution Commitment
As an anchor institution, Augsburg creatively uses institutional resources to contribute to the health and vitality of the neighborhoods of which we are a part through strategic investments, local purchasing and hiring, facilities use, and collaboration with groups focused on strengthening Cedar-Riverside.
Augsburg is a leader and participant in two local multi-sector Anchor Partner Collaboratives working to invest strategically in the growth and development of our surrounding community:
In addition, Augsburg is a participant in the Anchor Learning Network through the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU). The Anchor Learning Network is a cohort of higher education institutions committed to enhancing the economic and social thriving of the communities of which they are a part. Members of the cohort work together to develop tools for implementing, developing, and evaluating anchor mission initiatives.
For more about Augsburg’s role as an anchor institution, contact Steve Peacock, Community Relations Director (peacock@augsburg.edu).
Sabo Center Engagement Council
The Sabo Center Engagement Council (SCEC) meets several times per semester to support and guide community engagement and changemaking work at Augsburg and in our neighborhoods.
Members of the SCEC are nominated for 2-year terms. Being a member of the council is an opportunity to learn about and advocate for this work around campus, connect with others invested in these same activities, share ideas and experiences, and help us to live more fully into our institutional commitments to our neighborhoods.
Members serving on the council for 2024-2026 are:
- Katie Clark, Professor and Chair, Department of Nursing; Executive Director of the Health Commons
- Michelle Woster, Executive Director, Cedar Cultural Center
- Justin Wells, Groundskeeper
- Michon True Smith, Managing Director, Interfaith Institute
- Najeeba Syeed, El-Hibri Endowed Chair and Executive Director, Interfaith Institute
- Amano Dube, Senior Director of Community Development, Brian Coyle Center
- Lillee Buechler, Augsburg Student
- Lisa Eizenga, Assistant Director, Residence Life
- Dan Ibarra, Professor and Chair, Graphic Design
- Jeff Clement, Assistant Professor, School of Business
- Everett Parker, Augsburg Student
- Brenna Zeimet, Riverside Innovation Hub
- Vanessa Marr, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work
- Cruz Rodriguez, Assistant Director, TRIO McNair Scholars Program
History
The Sabo Center integrates two rich histories and initiatives in community engagement and democracy building into a single, vibrant center with local, regional, national, and global reach.
The former Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning at Augsburg University included a constellation of programs and themes that honored the legacy of Congressman Martin Olav Sabo ’59. These included public and community service, service learning, public policy, deliberative practices, and community development work.
The Center for Democracy and Citizenship, which moved to Augsburg from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs (University of Minnesota) in 2009, located its philosophical roots and day-to-day work in the citizenship education programs of the southern civil rights movement, in the settlement house movement and leadership of Jane Addams, and in the theory and practice of public work.
The Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning and the Center for Democracy and Citizenship combined into a single entity at Augsburg in 2014, bringing together these two traditions of public service and citizen engagement. Today, the Sabo Center is recognized for its innovative leadership in democracy education, public work philosophy, experiential learning, and place-based engagement.
Martin Olav Sabo ’59
Congressman Martin Olav Sabo ’59 was a lifelong public servant who exemplified the progressive approach and personal integrity that were modeled in his Lutheran upbringing and education.
One year after graduating from Augsburg, Sabo—then 22—was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. During his tenure, he became the first member of the Democrat-Farmer-Labor party to serve as Speaker of the House—a post he held from 1973-78. He went on to represent Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 28 years, retiring in 2007.
Watch “An Interview with Martin Olav Sabo” with audio description.
To read about Martin Sabo’s last days in his U.S. House office, go to page 18 of the Spring 2007 issue of Augsburg Now.
The Sabo Center was founded on lessons that come from Representative Sabo’s work. These lessons focus on the role and character of citizenship in a vibrant democracy and guide our practice:
- Civic engagement is a result of good citizenship.
- Successful political process depends on deliberative practice.
- Political leadership is a vocation in democracy.
- The art of politics is about how to get things done.
- Good decisions should be guided by values.
Location & Staff
The Sabo Center is located in the Oren Gateway Center on Augsburg University’s Campus. Our offices face Riverside Avenue and are across from Nabo Cafe on the main floor of the building. Accessible entrances at the main entrance on 22nd Avenue and through the rear parking lot on 21st Avenue. Please send an email to any one of our staff to set up a meeting or ask a question, or just stop by! View a campus map.
- Alex Fink, Faculty Director
- Jenean Gilmer, Program Manager, Community Engaged Learning
- Coral Ramos, Program Manager, Bonner Community Leaders
- Zinnia Koy, Program Manager, Food Initiatives
- Steve Peacock, Director, Community Relations