|
About Us
“.
. . improving the health and quality of life of the citizens
of
New Jersey and the society at large.”
(excerpt from the UMDNJ
Mission)
The
Department of Urban and Community Development at UMDNJ serves
as the chief catalyst for implementing the University's community
service mission. It establishes and maintains relationships
between UMDNJ and the various communities served by the University.
Through these relationships, the Department's staff coordinates,
develops and implements programs that address the needs of
underserved communities throughout the State, with particular
focus on UMDNJ's host campus cities of Newark,
New Brunswick and Camden. The Department also
provides oversight of policies that concern community-related
issues and supports other University departments in planning
and implementing programs that serve UMDNJ's constituencies.
Department
activities serving to accomplish this mission include urban
policy coordination, community relations and marketing initiatives,
local government liaison, neighborhood revitalization projects,
land use policy and redevelopment, grantsmanship support,
and the publication of reports. The Department also provides
guidance and technical assistance to a number of community
agencies and other public and private groups concerned with
health, education and economic development issues.
In
keeping with the five goals of the University
include: Research‚ Education‚
Service‚ Community Impact/Diversity
and Image, the Department is supportive of each
of these goals in the following ways:
- Research
– Working with the various schools‚ the
Department helps to ensure that research–related resources
are made available to address community needs and deliver
healthcare to defined patient groups. For example‚
the Department retains a key role in the Institute
for the Elimination of Health Disparities at UMDNJ
which was formally established in May 2001.
- Education
– The Department promotes programs that seek
to prepare local students for college‚ which ultimately
presents professional career options for young people and
increases the pool of qualified students for the University.
One specific example of these kinds of programs is the department's
relationship with the Dr.
Charles E. Brimm Medical Arts High School in
Camden, New Jersey.
- Service
– The Department develops and maintains positive
relations with various constituencies to increase the participation
of the UMDNJ’s healthcare units in various programs
targeting the general community.
- Image
– The helps to enhance the UMDNJ’s image
by strengthening connections in the communities in which
the University serves through its participation in various
activities life–enriching programs. It provides information
to the various schools and department units on the integration
of multicultural and relevant health services for patient
care programs.
It
is through the Department of Urban and Community Development
at UMDNJ that the University participates or hosts special
events that build goodwill with local opinion makers. UCD
also organizes and coordinates the University’s involvement
in various conferences and seminars‚ as well as its participation
in neighborhoods events such as health awareness and community
forums.
|
