HOOKSETT – Stay Work Play and the New Hampshire College & University Council (NHCUC) announced a strategic partnership that will strengthen and advance the missions of both organizations.
The multi-year partnership will enable Stay Work Play, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to encouraging 20- and 30-year-olds to “live, work and play” in New Hampshire and the NHCUC, a consortium of 21 public and private institutions of higher education, to amplify and dedicate additional resources to these efforts, all according to a press release.
Leaders from both organizations said the partnership will address the goals of retaining a greater percentage of high school graduates in New Hampshire as well as greater in-state enrollment in the state’s institutions of higher learning.
“New Hampshire exports a greater percentage of its graduating high school seniors seeking a four-year degree than any other state in the union,” NHCUC President & CEO Mike Vlacich said. “And once they leave, a great many do not return.”
The partnership between the two organizations will see the New Hampshire College & University Council make a substantial financial investment in Stay Work Play, which will use the funds to expand its outreach to include the high school age demographic.
“Stay Work Play has traditionally been focused attracting and retaining those in their twenties and thirties,” said Stay Work Play Executive Director Will Stewart. “We realize that if we are to make a substantial difference in increasing the number of young people in the state, we need to reach them before they make the decision of what to do after high school.”
Stewart said this outreach will include sharing and promoting the many opportunities available in New Hampshire, including those in the educational, professional, entertainment, and social realms.
In addition to the partnership announcement, Stay Work Play has planned to unveil a panel on Tuesday, May 22 at the Hooksett Welcome Center as a part of the Stay Work Play welcome center installation, featuring, and providing greater visibility to, the state’s institutions of higher learning. The installation will be seen by more than two million visitors each year.
Stay Work Play is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is “To work collaboratively across New Hampshire to support ongoing economic, workforce, and community development by promoting the state as a favorable place for young workers and recent college graduates to stay, work and play, when considering employment and lifestyle opportunities,” according to the press release. Additional information on the organization can be foundwww.stayworkplay.org.
The New Hampshire College & University Council (NHCUC) is a nonprofit consortium of 21, public and private institutions of higher education in the state of New Hampshire. The institutions are recognized and highly regarded for their outstanding teaching, research, and community service activities, and serve as major centers of activity that are vital to the economic development of the community and the state.
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