Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer has received a $400,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to organize a Community Outreach Partnership Center in the City of Troy. The goal of the Center, in partnership with the City of Troy, is to revitalize Troy’s neighborhoods and infrastructure, promote the use of technology in math and science education, and to bridge the “digital divide” through job and technology training.

In Troy’s recently completed strategic plan, Troy 2020, the City identified Rensselaer and area educational institutions as critical in positioning itself as the apex of a nascent regional technology center.

In her inaugural speech, President Jackson coined the term “Communiversity,” to define the common link between a university and its community. She set forth a bold plan to realize the goal of making community renewal a reality.

“We recognize that greatness in a university is inextricably linked to the vitality of the region in which it is situated,” said Dr. Jackson in her inaugural speech. “We believe that a technological university can exercise leadership in ways that are both unique and compelling, and that are particularly appropriate in an urban area like Troy, which presents all the demographic characteristics of a digitally divided community,”

This grant builds upon four independent Rensselaer projects: the Public Service Internship Program, the Troy Community Networking Project, the Neighborhood Renewal Initiative, and research efforts to create Web based, culturally oriented design tools to encourage underrepresented minorities to study math and science.

“Our goal is ultimately to make a difference for community resident—but on their terms, not ours,” says Nancy Campbell, assistant professor of science and technology studies, and director of the Center. “We have worked to build participation, self-definition, and empowerment into each component of the grant.”

Barbara Nelson, project manager, will serve as co-director while Branda Miller, associate professor of electronic arts, will coordinate the infrastructure; Frances Bronet, associate professor of architecture, will coordinate the neighborhood revitalization efforts, and Ron Eglash, assistant professor of STS will oversee the web-based culturally-oriented design tools.