In February 2000, Emory University launched the Office of University-Community Partnerships, which is designed to facilitate the integration of teaching, research, and community service, focusing on the Greater Atlanta region. The new office, undertaken at the direction of President William Chace and led by Provost Rebecca Chopp, represents a significant step toward fulfilling a goal first articulated in 1994, when Emory published a document that outlined the core values that would guide Emory in its pursuit of becoming one of the best universities in the nation and the world. A central objective of Emory is to cultivate rich ties with local, national, and global societies for the purpose of enhancing its teaching, research, and service missions and improving the well-being of people.

The new Office of University-Community Partnerships is directed by a faculty member, has a small staff, and an advisory board comprised of faculty, staff, students, and community leaders. The office will provide assistance to faculty seeking to add or enhance a theory-practice-learning component to their courses and also provide assistance to community-based agencies and organizations for research-oriented activities. The office will support 6-8 undergraduate courses next year and 2-4 community-based research projects. A key objective of the office will be to build a greater sense of community and awareness among the various schools at Emory (college of arts and sciences, medicine, public health, nursing, law, business, and theology) regarding the teaching, research, and service activities of Emory faculty, staff, and students, and also provide more responsive and intensive linkages between Emory and the community.

Contact person: Michael J. Rich, Director, Office of University-Community Partnerships, oucp {at} emory(.)edu

OUCP web site: http://oucp.emory.edu/