Woodbury University Launches Community Partnership Program to Bridge Campus and City

Woodbury University is stepping up its commitment to Burbank with the launch of its Community Partnership Program, an ambitious initiative designed to bridge the gap between campus life and city needs while giving students real-world experience.

The program, announced Tuesday at a packed presentation in the university’s Interaction Design Lab, will connect students across multiple disciplines with local businesses, nonprofits, and city departments to tackle community challenges while earning academic credit.

“We’ve been part of this community for decades, but we want to be more than just neighbors,” said Dr. Sarah Chen, Woodbury’s Vice President of Community Engagement, who spearheaded the initiative. “Our students are incredibly talented, and Burbank has real needs we can help address. It’s a perfect match.”

Student Expertise Meets Local Needs

The partnership program will operate across four main tracks, each leveraging Woodbury’s academic strengths:

Business & Marketing Track: Students will provide free marketing consultations, social media strategies, and business plan development for Magnolia Park retailers and other small businesses. The first partner is Coral Café, the beloved breakfast spot on Magnolia Boulevard that’s been struggling with digital marketing.

Architecture & Design Track: Working with the City of Burbank’s planning department, architecture students will create design proposals for public spaces, including potential improvements to the Chandler Bikeway and accessibility upgrades at various city facilities.

Animation & Digital Arts Track: Perhaps the most exciting for locals, this track will partner with Burbank Community Services to create promotional videos for city events, design graphics for public campaigns, and even develop educational content for Burbank Unified School District.

Applied Computer Science Track: These students will help local nonprofits and small businesses with website development, database management, and digital infrastructure improvements.

“We’re not talking about theoretical projects,” emphasized Professor Mike Rodriguez, who teaches in Woodbury’s renowned Architecture program. “These are real clients with real deadlines and real impact on our community.”

Community Response Already Strong

Burbank Mayor Emily Watson attended Tuesday’s launch event and praised the initiative as “exactly what we need to strengthen our local economy and community connections.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of Burbank, but many don’t have the resources for professional marketing or design services,” Watson said. “This program could be a game-changer for our Magnolia Park merchants and other local entrepreneurs.”

Tony Castellanos, owner of Porto’s Bakery’s original Burbank location on Magnolia, expressed interest in working with students on expanding their digital presence. “We’ve been in Burbank since 1976, and we’re always looking for fresh perspectives from the next generation,” he said.

The Burbank Community YMCA has already signed on as a launch partner, seeking help from computer science students to overhaul their membership database and from design students to create new promotional materials for their youth programs.

Student Excitement Building

Junior animation major Alex Kim, who lives in an apartment near the Media District, jumped at the chance to participate. “I moved here from Korea to study at Woodbury, but I haven’t felt really connected to Burbank yet,” Kim said. “This seems like an amazing way to give back and build my portfolio at the same time.”

Business major Jessica Morales, a Burbank native who graduated from Burroughs High School, sees the program as a homecoming opportunity. “I grew up shopping in Magnolia Park with my mom. Now I get to help those same businesses thrive? That’s incredible.”

The program will require participating students to commit to at least one semester-long project, with some extending into full academic years. Students will work in teams of 3-5, supervised by faculty mentors and community liaisons.

Addressing the Skills Gap

The initiative comes at a crucial time for Burbank’s evolving economy. While the city remains home to major entertainment industry players like Warner Bros. and Disney, local leaders have been pushing to diversify the economic base and support small businesses.

“There’s a real skills gap in our community,” explained Lisa Park, Executive Director of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce. “Many of our small business owners are experts in their trades but struggle with digital marketing, modern design, or business strategy. Having access to Woodbury students and faculty expertise could level the playing field.”

The program also addresses a challenge Woodbury has faced in recent years: helping students build local professional networks beyond the entertainment industry. Many graduates leave Burbank after completion, taking their skills elsewhere.

“We want our students to see Burbank as a place where they can build careers and contribute long-term,” said Dr. Chen. “This program creates those connections early.”

Looking Ahead

The Community Partnership Program will officially begin with the spring 2024 semester, though planning and partner matching is already underway. The university has committed $150,000 in initial funding, covering faculty supervision, materials, and a small stipend for community liaisons.

Woodbury plans to track the program’s impact through metrics like number of businesses served, student employment rates in Burbank post-graduation, and community satisfaction surveys.

“We’re starting conservatively with about 60 students across all tracks,” Dr. Chen noted. “But if this works as well as we expect, we’ll expand significantly next year.”

The program also includes a public showcase component, with student projects displayed at the annual Burbank Arts Festival and other community events.

“This isn’t just about students helping the community,” concluded Mayor Watson. “It’s about building the next generation of Burbank leaders and innovators. That benefits all of us.”

Local businesses and nonprofits interested in partnering with Woodbury students can apply through the university’s website starting January 15. Priority will be given to organizations that can provide meaningful mentorship opportunities and clear project outcomes.