The Center for Urban Connections (CUC), Metro State’s resource for community engagement opportunities, is now being housed in the Division of Advancement and External Relations (formerly Institutional Advancement). Previously, the Center was under the dean of Student Life.
Founded in 2009, the CUC was originally charged with developing community partnerships and promoting service learning. The service learning activities of the CUC will remain in Academic Affairs, led by Faculty Associate for Service Learning A.J. Alejano-Steele.
“Community relations is an important component of Advancement and External Affairs,” explains Cathy Lucas, associate vice president of communications and advancement. “President Jordan believed this to be a better fit, and that this move would advance the Center as well as strengthen community partnerships. We will continue to foster collaborations between the CUC, other units and service learning for the benefit of our students and community.”
Since its founding the CUC has helped enhance relationships with a range of K-12 schools, nonprofits and state and government agencies, including the African Community Center, Climbing for Life, Clinica Tepeyac, Denver Public Schools, Denver’s Road Home, The Gathering Place and many others.
“Advancement and External Affairs have relationships and partnerships in the community that we can benefit from,” says Interim CUC Director Yolanda Ortega. “This is a hand-in-glove relationship, with the CUC opening additional doors.”
The move went into effect this spring.
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