Shares Vision for the College with Electeds and Faith-based Community

Brooklyn, NY – More than 50 members of Brooklyn faith-based institutions and a delegation of Central Brooklyn elected representatives joined Medgar Evers College President Dr. Rudolph F. Crew on last week for a community breakfast at the College as part of his outreach and engagement effort to the College’s stakeholders, and to share his vision for taking the College to its next level of success.

In addition to Dr. Crew and his Cabinet, attendees included CUNY Trustees Valerie Lancaster Beal and Philip Alfonso Berry, CUNY Office of City Relations Deputy Director Staci Emmanuel, Councilmembers Al Vann and Letitia James, State Senator Eric Adams and Assembly Members Annette Robinson, Karim Camara and Walter Moseley. Representatives from the Offices of Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, and the Office of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz were also present, as was Community Board 9 Chair Rabbi Jacob Goldstein. First Baptist Church of Crown Heights Pastor Rev. Clarence Norman, Sr. delivered welcome remarks and the invocation; Concorde Baptist Church of Christ Pastor Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson delivered the benediction.

“Medgar Evers College is a powerful historical institution in the heart of Brooklyn,” said Dr. Crew. “This breakfast joins us in a spirit of unity as we work together to take Medgar Evers to  great educational heights.”

“As a founder of Medgar Evers College, I am proud to be a part of these positive changes that move our college and community forward,” said Hon. Al Vann. “So it is important that we unite around our capabilities and successes to elevate the College and advance its progress. By engaging our friends, families and community across the board, we’re doing just that.”

The purpose of the breakfast, which expands on a long-held tradition at the College, is to provide information about campus resources available for community use, to share strategic community engagement plans and a vision for the College, and to create and solidify collaborative efforts among stakeholders.  Dr. Crew stressed the importance of creating sustainable and strong partnerships to take the College to greater achievement and accomplishment levels.

Dr. Crew spoke also shared his broad vision of providing global access to students through internships and study abroad projects, of preparing them to compete as the economic landscape evolves competitively, and of providing access to greater and unique employment opportunities in the rapidly-changing world of STEM and technology. He spoke specifically about the importance of working with public elementary and middle schools through the creation of education compacts, or through entrepreneurial options like educational management organizations where the College can partner with schools that can be used as feeder schools for increasing enrollment, retention, and graduation among college-bound and college-ready students.

The breakfast is one of many that will continue in an effort to engage community and college stakeholders by creating such partnerships and working toward making the College a first-choice for education among potential new and transfer students and their parents, the private sector for employment and internship opportunities, as well as an institution of charitable choice with the philanthropic community.