NSPAA 2016 Technical Assistance Workshop Program Agenda | Page 15

HOST INSTITUTIONS (cont’d)
University of the District of Columbia: Where Dreams Begin
For more than eight generations, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and
its predecessor institutions has quite literally changed the lives of thousands of students
for whom a quality education seemed out of reach. Founded in 1851, the University was
originally established as the Normal School for “Colored Girls” by abolitionist and
educator Myrtilla Miner, who envisioned a more equitable society and believed that
education and learning opportunities, should be available to everyone. Subsequently,
other schools emerged as predecessors of UDC to extend quality and affordable
education to all residents of the District of Columbia.
Mr. Ronald Mason, Jr.

Over time, a series of mergers among the District’s teachers and technical colleges gave
rise to the city’s first comprehensive university system. In 1976, the District of Columbia
Teachers College, Federal City College and Washington Technical Institute combined
to form the University of the District Columbia. In 1999, the U.S. Department of Education formally
designated UDC among the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the school is
recognized as a congressionally mandated urban land-grant institution.

President
University of the
District of Columbia

In living up to its mission of continuous enhancement of its academic programs and outreach to District and
world citizens, the University established the University of the District of Columbia Community College
(UDC-CC) in 2009. In addition to its two-year associate degree programs, UDC-CC offers a variety of
practical, non-academic educational programs and training to the residents of the District of Columbia and
prepares students for immediate entry into the workforce; for the next level of education; for specialized
employment opportunities; and for lifelong learning.
Now celebrating its 40th year, the University has emerged as an advanced public system of higher learning
that includes the Community College, and offers 68 undergraduate and graduate academic degree programs
through the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business and Public Administration (SBPA), the
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and
Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School
of Law – one of only 6 accredited HBCU law schools in the nation, and that is also regarded as one of the
finest public interest law schools in the country. The enrollment at the University is 5100.
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and under the leadership of President
Ronald Mason, Jr., the University has launched a new chapter of quality, affordability and diversity. Guided
by the core values of excellence, innovation, integrity, collaboration and sustainability, the University of the
District of Columbia continues to evolve as an advanced public system of higher education, a place where
dreams begin.

“Expanding Sponsored Programs and Research Possibilities With
Contracts: Understanding The Requirements For Success”
June 7-10, 2016
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, Arlington, VA

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