UA to Host Workshop to Improve University, Community Relations

UA to Host Workshop to Improve University, Community Relations

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama is hosting a two-day workshop on how communities and universities can bridge the gaps that exist between them and work together.

Dr. Michelle Robinson

The “University and Community Engagement Workshop: Strategies for Bridging the Gap between Town and Gown,” will be held at Hotel Capstone from 8 a.m. Monday, April 3, to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 4.

“This two-day workshop will feature work sessions on community engagement, grant writing, STEM engagement, outreach through communication and community-based health promotion along with an on-campus African American heritage tour and a visit to the Paul Jones Gallery of American Art ‘Freedom?’ exhibit,” said Dr. Michelle Bachelor Robinson, an assistant professor in multiple departments at UA and the workshop event coordinator.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox will deliver the keynote address at 6 p.m. at the Monday banquet.

Robinson said the workshop was convened at the request of Johnny Ford, founder and director general of the World Conference of Mayors Inc. He wanted to collaborate with university officials with the goal of discussing ways to cultivate professional development, strategies for tourism, economic development, fund-raising and historic preservation.

Ford has requested attendance from a number of constituents from such consortiums as the Historic Black Towns and Settlements Alliance Inc., the World Conference of Mayors, the Alabama Conference of Black Mayors, the Maryland Conference of Black Mayors, the Mississippi Local Black Elected Officials and the National Policy Alliance.

“The cities and towns represented within the consortiums often function with limited resources, and therefore seek university partners to engage within their communities and support a variety of goals set by their citizens,” Robinson said.

Past locations the workshop has taken place at are the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of Central Florida, the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Morehouse School of Medicine, Prairie View A&M University and Rollins College.

To pre-register for the workshop, go here.

Contact

Jamon Smith, media relations, jamon.smith@ua.edu, 205/348-4956

Source

Dr. Michelle Robinson, mrobinson@ua.edu, 205/348-4177; The office of The World Conference of Mayors, repjf@bellsouth.net, 334-226-1125