MA, University of Cincinnati, 2017, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Educational Studies

In this paper, I describe how an asset mapping process was combined with community-based participatory research (CBPR). This combination, called participatory asset mapping, was designed to offer an alternative to the commonly used needs assessment. Needs assessments neglect the identification of valuable assets including the knowledge and culture of many underrepresented community members. This is particularly important for an area undergoing redevelopment where low-income and minority families are too often displaced. This research highlights the experiences of educational leaders at John P. Parker Elementary, a predominantly African American school, in their gentrifying neighborhood of Madisonville. The completed asset map provided John P. Parker with a geographic representation of community-school support. Findings showed that 42% of their businesses and churches were willing to explore a partnership. Using CBPR techniques, the co-research team discussed and analyzed the asset map results. The analysis suggested that organizations not able to engage in partnership, were struggling with financial limitations, operating dying trades, or have burned out from previous community engagement efforts. Additionally, the experiences of educational leaders showed that negative perceptions have impacted the way development corporations support them. Lastly, we find that educational leaders hold a unique responsibility to advocate on behalf of their students in a changing community. The paper concludes with suggested next steps for educational leaders using the generated participatory asset map.

Committee: Lisa Vaughn Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Miriam Raider-Roth Ed.D. (Committee Member); R. Alan Wight Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Educational Leadership

BUP/MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2008, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Community Planning

Asset Mapping utilizes the concepts of physical capital, human capital, and social capital, as a holistic way of evaluation for revitalization and economic development. Challenges exist within most communities and focusing on only one aspect of development and/or revitalization separate from the others is not beneficial in the long run for sustainable planning and more often than not causes a disconnection between residents, organizations, and local/regional institutions. Asset Mapping encourages cooperation between the components of a community that make it work, or not, and examines the structures of process. A capacity building initiative, Asset Mapping focuses on positive resources instead of needs and problems, encouraging momentum towards networking that can build a strong foundation connecting social and institutional dichotomy. Asset Mapping makes it easier to deal with community negatives by identifying and accentuating the positive resources which can be utilized efficiently and directly to resolve challenges and issues.

Committee: Mahyar Arefi Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Rainer Vom Hofe Ph.D. (Committee Co-Chair); Jan Hillard Ph.D. (Committee Member); Joyce Malek Ph.D. (Committee Member); David Kennedy (Advisor) Subjects: Area planning & Business Community; Social Research; Urban Planning; development