Dr. Irma McClaurin, New Associate Vice President
November 26, 2007
FR: Robert J. Jones, Senior Vice President for System Academic Administration
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Irma McClaurin as Associate Vice President for System Academic Administration and Executive Director of the new Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center in North Minneapolis, effective December 3.
As associate vice president, Dr. McClaurin will oversee project and management assignments for the senior vice president’s office and other units comprising System Academic Administration, including helping to identify funding opportunities to support the University’s Urban Agenda, the University Northside Partnership, and the Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center.
As part of our Transforming the U goal we have committed ourselves to serving urban communities through scholarship, teaching, and public engagement. This Urban Agenda seeks to create more meaningful, cooperative, and sustainable engagement with multiple urban communities. At this month’s Board of Regents meeting, the Board approved moving forward with the purchase of a facility in North Minneapolis which will be renovated to serve as the University’s first Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC).
Dr. McClaurin will serve as the first Executive Director of the UROC to provide administrative oversight and coordination of the various components of the University Northside Partnership (UNP), which is a collaboration between the University, Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, and several North Minneapolis organizations and constituent groups. The UROC is being patterned after those that are strategically located across the state and have served our agricultural rural community effectively for decades. Dr. McClaurin will work in coordination with senior administrators and an Executive Steering Committee on academic program development, community involvement, outreach, facilities, and finances. She will be responsible for helping to enhance urban community partnerships; identify and secure resources; administer programs; and coordinate communications with north Minneapolis residents.
Dr. McClaurin brings a wealth of experience to these assignments. She was a tenured professor at the University of Florida; served as deputy provost in charge of faculty development, accreditation, and strategic planning at Fisk University; and was most recently a program officer with responsibility for higher education, scholarship, and diversity programs at the Ford Foundation. She is a strategic and innovative thinker, collaborative leader, accomplished administrator, and award-winning scholar who will help advance our vision for a comprehensive Urban Agenda.
Please join me in welcoming Irma McClaurin to the University.