Urban Outreach: Building an Effective Community and Federal Partnership

In 1992, the U.S. Congress passed the Community Outreach and Partnership Act. This act - which was modeled after the urban outreach program of Michigan State University’s Center for Urban Affairs Community and Economic Development Program - is intended to provide support for research and community outreach activities which are designed to help solve locally identified urban problems. This innovative partnership with HUD recently awarded support to 18 universities across the nation to replicate this model in targeted urban areas. The potential to significantly complement the activities of institutions of higher education in urban communities is greatly enhanced by this federal partnership.

This poster discusses the act, its history, and the MSU model it is derived from. It also describes current activities being undertaken by MSU in Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Implications for the future of urban outreach by higher education institutions are discussed.