In this reflective essay, we describe Widener University's 10-year transformation from a disengaged institution to an institution that has a metropolitan-focused mission vested in civic leadership, community engagement, and service-learning. We describe our journey to embed an expansive civic frame that includes concrete practices of pedagogy, institutional engagement, and community partnerships. We discuss the rewards and challenges of engaging in long-term, democratic, collaborative work, offering a unique insight about the role of a private, mid-size university in anchor-based engagement. We conclude that Widener's strategy for achieving comprehensive community and economic development is responsible for sustaining multi-anchor regional and local partnerships.