Staff Spotlight: Wendy Wallace brings lifelong commitment to community to role at Brown

Q: What was your initial impression of Brown, and how has that changed over time?

My initial view of Brown has shifted. Growing up, I spent a lot of time on Thayer Street, but I didn't know what the campus buildings were or what the people there did. It didn't feel inviting. The narrative I heard was a common misperception about Brown: that it was the Ivy League institution on the hill with a big endowment and a reputation for not paying taxes.

Because I understand how Rhode Islanders may perceive Brown, its shapes how I engage with different stakeholder groups, especially Providence community members. A big part of it involves educating people about the work Brown does, and particularly its economic impact. I've come to appreciate how much Brown is bridging the gap with the community, and I see people here who are genuinely committed to the University's mission and vision and who want to connect to the community in meaningful ways.

This has been happening for decades, and I think the new Office of Community Engagement and its increased visibility is helping to show all the community impact.

Q: For members of the Brown community who are not already involved in community engagement work, how can they get started?

The "Community Engagement Agenda: A Call to Partnership and Action " is Brown's strategic plan for community engagement across campus. What excited me most about developing it was gathering input from a wide range of stakeholders - about 800 individuals - that shaped 83 strategies and actions that keep us accountable and guide our efforts moving forward. We're now sharing the agenda with various stakeholder groups, including campus partners and community members.

I see it as a campus readiness plan, encouraging students, staff and faculty to reflect on their roles - not just professionally but personally. It's about shifting from a siloed view of "I work at Brown" to recognizing "I'm part of this local community," and maybe asking yourself, "What does being part of the Providence community look like for you? How can I support or advance the agenda in the multiple roles I play each day?" For example, as a parent, how might we engage in education policy? Or how can we support local businesses, like choosing a neighborhood coffee shop over a chain?

The goal is to think strategically - not just about individual purchasing power but our collective impact. Many of our staff and faculty already serve on boards or volunteer, which is great, but true community engagement goes beyond community service. It's about embedding ourselves in processes that lead to better outcomes for the stakeholders we care about.

Q: How do you spend your time when you're not at work?

Family. I spend the majority of my time with my husband and two kids. We love exploring the city - visiting museums, attending events or trying out local small businesses. This past fall, both of our kids played soccer, so I embraced being a soccer mom. We aim to do a sport every season.

I'm also an active member of New Life Church in Central Falls, where I sing in the choir, serve as church secretary and plan events. I've organized conferences like the Young Adults for Christ Conference, focused on empowering young people to connect their faith with their lives. Currently, I'm planning a conference aimed at bridging generational gaps and traditions.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Brown?

The people. Brown is home to an incredibly supportive and intelligent community. Whenever I bring up community engagement work, there's immediate interest - people's eyes light up and they eagerly share ideas about how their work can connect to and support community engagement. It's been truly wonderful.

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