SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher Leads Washington Outreach for Urban Serving Universities

Washington, D.C. – State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher met with key federal legislators in Washington earlier this week to bring greater attention to the multifaceted role that urban universities play in leading economic development and community revitalization efforts in their communities.

The meetings were part of a two-day annual conference of the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities, a membership organization of 46 universities committed to improving their local metropolitan regions. Chancellor Zimpher, who serves as chairwoman of the Coalition, worked with her colleagues to raise visibility and awareness for the Urban University Renaissance Act of the 21^st Century, a new piece of education legislation.

The bill, introduced by Congressman David Wu, D-Ore., would benefit universities across the country located in major urban centers, as well as their communities.

“Through meeting with our legislators, we solidified support for the Act from multiple partners,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “We have strengthened our ability as a coalition to make the case for the revitalization of America’s cities, with our urban universities serving as the anchors of these efforts.”

The two-day event also included a reception on Capitol Hill with several legislators who support education, including Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., and Rep. Tim Bishop, D-N.Y.

“We want to make the federal government a relevant partner in helping your universities tackle the urgent challenges facing our urban areas,” said Rep. Fattah. “This couldn’t have happened without the great leadership role that Nancy Zimpher is providing not just in New York, but to urban serving universities nationwide.”

Senior White House staffers, including David Agnew, Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Derek Douglas, Special Assistant to the President on Urban Policy, also met with Chancellor Zimpher and other coalition members. During their talks, they emphasized how closely aligned the work of urban serving universities is aligned with White House economic and urban revitalization initiatives.

“We don’t have to convince the administration that cities and their universities are instrumental in meeting our economic and educational goals,” said Agnew. “Creative local leaders like you all have proven that it can be done.”

To provide tangible examples of the innovative efforts urban serving universities are leading, the Coalition also released its original research paper, Urban Universities: Anchors Generating Prosperity for America’s Cities. The paper provides an overview of the progress and impact of the initiatives USU members are leading in their home cities.

The mission of USU aligns with SUNY’s new strategic plan, The Power of SUNY, which has as its goal the economic revitalization of the state and improving the quality of life for its citizens. To learn more about the plan and one of its six big ideas, “SUNY and the Vibrant Community,” click here.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 465,000 students in 7,351 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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