Community Outreach
At President Robert L. Bogomolny's direction, a team of UB staff accepted the challenge in 2005 to design a staff-centered community outreach and coordination plan. This advisory team -- the Coordinated Community Outreach Group (CCOG) -- seeks to coordinate existing outreach efforts and offer new initiatives to strengthen UB's relationships with Baltimore's community leaders and groups, businesses and residents.
Purpose:
• To implement UB Strategic Plan Goal 3, from Expanding the Shared Vision: the University of Baltimore Strategic Plan, 2008-2012.
• To lead a campus-wide coordinated administrative effort to engage with UB's surrounding external community, build new relationships, strengthen existing relationships and create partnership opportunities that advance mutual interests and common goals of the University and community.
• To encourage University visibility and value, and show neighborhood appreciation as a campus that contributes to the vitality of Baltimore.
CCOG Accomplishments - Highlights
HEROES Academy
HEROES Academy offers Baltimore City and Baltimore County high school students an opportunity to visit the UB campus and experience life as a college student for a day. The day-long program includes mini-college courses, laboratory experimentation, interactive learning and the chance to form mentoring relationships with UB staff members who serve as volunteer mentors.
Sample Results:
- Elevated student exposure to the college experience and to specific and new professional fields of study
- Heightened students' positive impression of college and energized their appreciation of UB
- Increased UB staff participation in volunteer community outreach activities on campus.
President's Letter to Neighbors
President Bogomolny sends a "What's New at UB" letter to more than 3,300 residents of UB's surrounding communities (within a quarter mile radius of campus). The letter updates the community with campus news, including contact information for campus services, invitations to University activities, campus facility improvements and current academic initiatives and programs.
Sample Results:
- Increased communication with neighboring community residents
- Increased and favorable response from neighbors to access UB services and facilities
- Increased memberships to the UB Athletic Club
- Generated new partnership and usage opportunities for UB Performing Arts Theater
- Generated calls to the UB Career Center for career development services
- Increased use of database to support UB departmental outreach efforts and mailings.
Community Partners Reception
President Bogomolny and CCOG periodically host a Community Partners Reception that allows UB to learn first-hand from community representatives how the University can help meet community goals. The evening includes campus briefings, presentations, the sharing of ideas and partnership possibilities. The first reception was held on May 11, 2006 in the UB Student Center.
Sample Results:
- Established new lines of communication with several community organizations
- Introduced the new UB Student Center to community leaders
- Increased UB community discounts at neighborhood restaurants and establishments
- Increased interest in UB facilities for external community events
- Developed stronger relationships with Station North and Bolton Hill neighbors.
Brown Bag Luncheon
CCOG periodically hosts brown bag lunches for staff to share information about UB community initiatives and activities and to brainstorm new ways in which UB can better serve the community.
CCOG Executive Team Members -- Contact Us