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HISTORY
The
Howard University Center for Urban Progress (CUP) commenced activity
in January 1995 as an inaugural grant recipient (1994) of the
Howard University Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Program. It brought
together an interdisciplinary team of faculty from the Departments
of Economics, Political Science, Sociology/Anthropology, Mathematics,
Finance, and Nursing to conduct a range of applied, community-based
research projects. CUP was and continues to be administered as
an activity of the Department of Economics.
CUP
has steadfastly followed and promoted the vision of President
H. Patrick Swygert, the Board of Trustees, and the University
community at large, as embodied in the Strategic Framework for
Action I and II through its research, curricular, and community
initiatives. CUP is taking the lead in creating and implementing
world-class academic programs in community development that are
consistent with the educational, academic and community development
goals of the University. CUP cuts across departmental, college,
and school lines because its community development vision and
goals are inherently interdisciplinary. CUP has gained expertise
in securing external funding to conduct University-Community
partnership activities in community development, applied research
and program evaluation, and community-based research. Since its
inception, CUP has secured over $15 million in external funding
from over 60 projects. It has developed a working papers series
in community development, including a dozen papers posted on
its website, has employed over 90 graduate students in research,
development, and service activities, has engaged over 4,300 graduate
and undergraduate students in service-learning and research activities,
has partnered with over 100 community- and faith-based organizations,
and manages the Community Development minor in the College of
Arts and Sciences and the Community Development Work Study Program
in the Graduate School.
Shortly
after its formation, CUP adopted the following mission, vision
and goals.
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MISSION
The
mission of Howard University Center for Urban Progress is to
address urban challenges – locally, nationally, and globally – through
University - Community partnerships, applied and community-based
research, innovative academic programs, technical assistance
to urban agencies, and community revitalization initiatives.
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VISION
The
Howard University Center for Urban Progress will be the premiere
applied urban research institution for the African American community
and an exemplar of innovative community development programs
and projects.
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GOALS
The
Howard University Center for Urban Progress’ goals are:
- To
augment qualitatively the University’s educational, academic,
and community functions through implementing the Strategic Framework
for Action of President Swygert and the Board of Trustees.
- To
study, teach about, and propose policies for, as well implement
activities to address, the multi-faceted urban challenges in
the U.S. and other nations.
- To
create and implement interdisciplinary, holistic, collaborative,
community development curricula.
- To
mobilize the Howard University community to train students to
address the urban challenges through program and project creation
and implementation.
- To
build University-Community partnerships for these activities.
- To
build internal collaboration among units of Howard University
to carry out these activities.
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