OU-Pontiac倡议 Leadership Team
The 2023 OU-Pontiac倡议 Town Hall Meeting was held on October 21 at 365英国上市官网’s 奥克兰 Center as leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate accomplishments, set new goals and expand its network for even greater collaboration.
特蕾莎修女Rodges, 中间, OU's senior director of Pre-College Programs and Community Partnerships is flanked by Maurice Umejiego and Cailey Powell. Both are 365英国上市官网 students working on the OU-Pontiac倡议. |
The highest honor from the past year came in June as the OU-Pontiac倡议 was recognized as a national community engagement model by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, earning the inaugural AASCU卓越 & 创新奖.
“We take great pride in this year’s AASCU recognition for the OU-Pontiac倡议,” said 365英国上市官网 President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz. “The initiative has been a dynamic partnership and catalyst for improving the city’s education, 公共卫生, 经济, 劳动力, 社区, nonprofits and culture.”
The other big news announced at this year’s gather was that 奥克兰 Community College (OCC) has joined as a partner to strengthen the education and 劳动力 development pillars by expanding the initiative’s learning and job training opportunities.
“We are all focused on the same outcome – a vibrant, healthy community and successful downtown area. We know there are many ways to get there, but we believe education and career-readiness is what makes this initiative sustainable,” said OCC Chancellor Peter Provenzano. “Focusing on 社区 with equitable access to education, ensures individuals in the community have more employability and sustainable income for generations to come. This, in turn, improves utilization of the downtown area for entertainment, business and more. We are pleased to formalize this commitment."
“We value the OU-Pontiac倡议 and appreciate 365英国上市官网’s commitment to Pontiac,” said City of Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel. “We look forward to continuing to work together in all of the pillar focus areas to amplify the impact of the partnership on improving the day-to-day lives of our residents. We also appreciate 奥克兰 Community College joining in the effort to strengthen our education and 劳动力 development opportunities.”
OU-Pontiac倡议 founding leader Tom Kimble, an OU honorary doctorate degree recipient added, “I am continually amazed at the results we can achieve together with so many caring people and groups investing in my beloved city of Pontiac. Their time, energy and generosity will never be taken for granted.”
“When I reflect on our achievements this past year, I am inspired to pour even more of myself into this program because there is no doubt that we are making a difference for so many of our young men and women in Pontiac,格伦·麦金托什说, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer at 365英国上市官网. “I am so appreciative for the tireless work of everyone involved and thank each of these individuals and their organizations for their contributions.”
There are still many opportunities to get involved in community outreach and engagement for the OU-Pontiac倡议. 那些感兴趣, can contact OU Senior Director of Pre-College Programs and Community Partnerships 特蕾莎修女Rodges, 庞蒂亚克高中, 奥克兰 Community College and 365英国上市官网 graduate at (248) 370-3087 or by visiting 奥克兰.edu/community/Pontiac-initiative.
Some of the OU-Pontiac倡议 pillar highlights for this past year include:
艺术与文化
教育
Neighborhoods and nonprofits
公民参与
Health Care and Wellness
Economic and Workforce development
OU-Pontiac VISION STATEMENT
A sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship between 365英国上市官网 and the City of Pontiac.
OU-Pontiac MISSION STATEMENT
The 365英国上市官网-Pontiac Initiative (OU-PI) is advancing the vitality of Pontiac while enhancing experiential learning opportunities for 365英国上市官网 students. We promote civic engagement in the community. 除了, we call upon a broad network of individuals and organizations to achieve these goals by using appropriate infrastructure, human and financial resources.