Aggie Square offers a tremendous opportunity to transform relationships...
Aggie Square offers a tremendous opportunity to transform relationships among the university, the city of Sacramento and our neighborhoods. In our 2-year-plus planning period, our community-based organizations and neighborhood leaders were clear — there is a deep need to develop partnerships to co-invest in educational and training opportunities for local communities where opportunity has been missing. We are listening and taking steps to address these concerns now and in the future.
While the doors of Aggie Square will not open for approximately three years, there are resources and opportunities that neighboring communities can take advantage of now, while Aggie Square is being constructed, and after Aggie Square opens its doors. This page is meant to provide a high-level overview of how we are planning build new bridges to opportunity for our shared community in a few key categories:
Workforce Development and Training Youth Engagement
Access to Space Ongoing Alignment
Workforce Development and Training
Immediate: Access to Jobs Now
- Continue UC Davis job talks and fairs with groups such as the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) and the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services organizations. Learn more about recruiting and outreach events.
- Hiring policy updated to create more opportunity for qualified candidates with prior legal trouble. Learn more
- Complete assessment of UC Davis and Aggie Square jobs (e.g., types, skills)
- Enhance processes to provide access to available jobs as well as the resources necessary to help neighborhoods in need prepare for jobs.
Years 2021-2023: During Aggie Square Construction
Pilot Programs and Construction Jobs
- Pilot work force development programs in technical specialties like bio-manufacturing prior to the opening of Aggie Square.
- Work with stakeholders on regional workforce development opportunities (including access to jobs).
- Provide workforce planning and training for post-construction readiness.
Years 2023 + : After Aggie Square Opens
Make Programs Sustainable
- Identify and execute sustainable workforce development program offerings for ongoing jobs.
- Leverage Venture Café’s talent portal and hold quarterly talent nights as part of the Thursday Gathering program.
Youth Engagement
Immediate: Sustain Pre-Collegiate Programs
- Continue K-12 efforts (examples listed below):
- Health Equity Academy – Leaders for Tomorrow’s Healthcare
- Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP)
- College Opportunity Program
- Summer Mathematics and Science Honors Academy (SMASH)
- Girls in Robotics Leadership (GIRL)
- Young Scholars Program
- School of Medicine Tours for High Schools and Community Colleges
Tours are virtual until further notice.
Years 2021-2023: During Aggie Square Construction
Expand Pre-Collegiate Programs
- Pilot additional pre-collegiate programs.
Years 2023 + : After Aggie Square Opens
- Establish monthly youth-focused programming as part of the Thursday Gathering.
- Convene regional STEM practitioners twice a year to share best practices and engage with industry.
Access to Space
Years 2021-2023: During Aggie Square Construction
Explore Preforming Art / Conference / Event Space
- Complete feasibility study of Governor’s Hall for UC Davis and community serving uses.
Years 2023 + : After Aggie Square Opens
Provide Office / Demo Space for Startups
- Identify space within co-working footprint for a recurring cohort of five to ten startups led by under-represented entrepreneurs and supported with subsidized space.
- Leverage Venture Café Thursday Gathering to feature and promote startups from the surrounding communities.
Provide Indoor / Outdoor Space for Community
- The Innovation Hall space will include a free drop-in lounge and heavily discounted rates for meeting space which will include a $1M target donation annually.
- Recurring outdoor programming for the community like outdoor movies, concert series, job fairs, etc.
- Weekly Thursday Gathering with 12 to 15 free educational sessions/workshops each week.
- Engage the community in the public art aspects of Aggie Square.
Ongoing Alignment
Years 2023 + : After Aggie Square Opens
Implement Community Fund
- Establish annual fund.
- Fund managed by Aggie Square Community Partnership (ASCP) comprised of representatives from the surrounding area.
- ASCP administers fund based on agreed upon criteria.
Connect to Existing Business Districts
- Develop strategy to highlight surrounding business districts as opportunities for industry partners that outgrow Aggie Square location.
- Cross-promote events in the surrounding business districts.