In this chapter the co-authors explore the process of conducting social indicator research in California’s Central San Joaquin Valley. The “Central Valley” is notable for the high level of ethnic diversity, deep economic disparity, unemployment and underemployment, and blend of rural and agricultural communities with urban areas experiencing various levels of gentrification and development. The Partnership for the Assessment of Community (PAC) project was created to serve as a model to measure the changes over a 10-year period in the Central Valley. The PAC research team consists of faculty from different universities in the Central Valley and student-researchers. A description of the pilot study of PAC research is discussed in this chapter. The co-authors offer a critical read of the promises and challenges for researchers interested in conducting community-based research with students across multiple sites. We offer a summary of successful ventures as well as valuable lessons of what did not work for the initial study and salient issues for future social indicator research endeavors in the Central Valley.