Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is hosting a two-day symposium focused on building and sustaining equitable university–school–community partnerships. Held Feb. 26–27, 2026, this event will advance the college’s mission to promote equitable systems and practices in education and will further deepen Temple University’s commitment to service and engagement in the Philadelphia community and beyond.
“The Acres of Diamonds Symposium is an opportunity to foster and/or deepen relationships between the CEHD, Philadelphia schools, and community groups and organizations through reciprocal learning and dialogue about power, equity and shared leadership in education,” said Linn Posey-Maddox, professor of urban education. “The symposium is designed for participants to leave with new ideas and insights to inform their partnership work, as well as new connections to people and organizations across the city supporting equitable systems and practices in Philadelphia schools and communities.”
“We were intentional about inviting practitioners, administrators and researchers who represent every entry point in the educational pathway from early childhood to college,” added M. Meghan Raisch, assistant professor of instruction in the adult learning, training and organizational development program. “Carving this time out together to hear insights from each stakeholder will highlight points of synergy between our work and inspire collaborations that we expect will continue long after this event.”
The featured speaker for the symposium is Ann Ishimaru, Kerry and Linda Killinger Endowed chair and professor of educational foundations, leadership and policy, and director of the Just Ed Leadership Institute at the University of Washington College of Education. Ishimaru examines how young people, families, communities and educators can work together as leaders to create more just and supportive schools. She has collaborated nationally on community-engaged research and brings experience leading initiatives that advance partnerships between educational institutions and communities.
This focus aligns with the CEHD’s mission to advance equitable systems and practices in education. Ishimaru’s approaches to confronting inequities and prioritizing reciprocal partnerships provide a strong foundation for participants to reimagine their own community-engaged efforts.
The symposium begins Thursday, Feb. 26, with an informal meeting between faculty followed by a conversation open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in community-engaged research and partnerships. In the evening, there will be a public lecture in the Howard Gittis Student Center featuring an interactive talk by Ishimaru on principles and practices of equitable collaboration, followed by roundtable discussions where attendees can explore what partnerships mean in their own work.
Friday, Feb. 27, will focus on the role of university faculty, staff and students in university-community collaboration. This university-focused component of the symposium will include a talk by Ishimaru, followed by faculty and staff roundtable presentations and discussions on how university stakeholders can work alongside communities in ways that attend to issues of power, reciprocity and sustainability in partnership work.
The Acres of Diamonds Symposium is open to Temple faculty, staff, students, alumni, educators, district leaders and community partners who are interested in community-engaged teaching, research or service. Those interested in attending the Feb. 26 public lecture can register online.