Stronger Together: University-School Partnerships

Recruiting talent, retaining staff, building pathways, and co-designing solutions-discover practical ways schools and nonprofits can team up with higher ed.

In education, some of the biggest challenges-teacher shortages, staff burnout, leadership turnover, and inequitable access to quality learning-are simply too complex for one organization to solve alone. That's where partnerships between PK-12 schools, nonprofits, and higher education come in. When designed well, these collaborations don't just prepare the next generation of teachers and leaders-they strengthen the very communities they serve.

At National Louis University's National College of Education(NCE), we've learned through years of partnership work that collaboration takes time, trust, and creativity. But the payoff is worth it: stronger, more diverse educator pipelines and sustainable professional growth for current staff - all benefiting young learners.

So, how can schools, districts, and nonprofits partner with higher education? Here are four high-impact opportunities to consider.

1. Recruit the Next Generation of Educators

Colleges of education are home to hundreds of aspiring teachers and leaders eager to gain hands-on experience. By hosting student teachers, hiring graduate students as classroom aides (or "interns"), or recruiting through career departments like NLU's Career Bridge, schools and organizations can build a pipeline of well-prepared candidates to serve their specific learners. These future educators bring fresh energy into classrooms while learning from highly qualified mentors-a win-win for students and staff alike.

Action Step:Consider hosting teacher candidatesfor observation or student teaching this year. It's one of the simplest ways to "grow your own" talent.

2. Retain and Grow Your Current Team

Staff retention is one of the greatest challenges facing classrooms. Partnerships with higher ed can help by co-designing professional development that is flexible, relevant, and directly tied to classroom practice. For example, NCE has worked with districts to develop bilingual teacher residencies and literacy endorsement programs that advance teachers' careers while strengthening school capacity to serve their diverse student population.

Action Step:Identify areas where your staff need growth and ask a university partner to co-create development pathways -tailored to your context rather than off-the-shelf models.

3. Build Education Pathways for Students and Community Members

Partnerships aren't only about current staff-they can also create future pipelines. From dual-credit courses for high schoolers to "grow-your-own" initiatives that support paraprofessionals or community members in becoming licensed teachers, pathways designed with higher education can make the teaching profession more accessible, especially for candidates of color.

Action Step:Explore whether your high school or community organization could collaborate with a local college of education to design a pathway program for the students or adults you serve.

4. Collaborate on Research and Grants

Faculty at colleges of education bring expertise in research design, program evaluation, and grant writing. Partnering on a shared initiative can attract funding and generate new insights to benefit both schools and universities. At NCE, joint grant projects have supported principal coaching, bilingual teacher development, and dual degree STEM educator preparation.

Action Step:Reach out to a faculty member or partnership officeto explore whether a shared research or grant project could advance both your missions.

Lessons Learned from Partnerships

From our experience at NCE, we've found a few truths about what makes partnerships thrive:

• Start small and build trust.Pilots can grow into sustainable programs over time.
  
  
• Communicate early and often.Strong communication prevents confusion and builds transparency.
  
  
• Expect challenges-and stay flexible.Leadership changes, funding shifts, and policy updates are inevitable. Long-term success depends on resilience and adaptability.
  
  
• Focus on mutual benefit.The best collaborations help both organizations advance their goals while serving students.
  
  

Why This Matters Now

Teacher shortages, evolving classroom needs, and increasing demands on educators make partnerships more urgent than ever. Schools and nonprofits can't-and shouldn't-navigate these challenges alone. By partnering with higher education, you gain access to a diverse pool of teacher candidates*, professional growth opportunities for staff, and sustainable pathways that strengthen your community for years to come.

At National Louis University, we believe that when higher education and PK-12 organizations join forces, we can break out of the ruts of "how it's always been done" and build a stronger, more equitable future for our educators and students.

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Interested in exploring a partnership with NLU or NCE?

Connect with us at [email protected]-we'd love to learn more about your goals and explore how we can support your community.

*NLU also prepares individuals who collaborate alongside educators: principals, HR professionals, data analysts, marketing, RBTs and BCBAs, school psychologists, school counselors, and more. We can help you recruit for these valuable positions as well!

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Want to dive deeper into university-district partnership initiatives?

Check out the book Transforming Educator Preparation for Changing Times (Information Age Publishing, 2023). In particular, see the chapter "Breaking Out of the Ruts: The Promise of University-School Partnerships" by Elizabeth Mehringer and Dr. Harry Ross, Partnership Directors at National Louis University.