BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY

International Institute for Civic Participation & Social Responsibility

There is no better time than the present to launch an International Institute for Civic Participation of student at a historically black college with a rich legacy and tradition of service learning.  Currently, there is no place in America where African-American leaders can converge to participate in education for constructive social change, public policy formulation, and leadership development intended to produce leaders who can effect systemic change to address social problems that are adversely impacting citizens.  Nor is there a mechanism in place to analyze the interrelated conditions of citizens in Haiti, Africa, Mexico, and North America from the vantage point of social justice.  Furthermore, no existing leadership program integrates transformative leadership development, civic engagement, and interaction between students and internationally acclaimed leaders within the African American community.

Bethune-Cookman University proposes the following categories of programming for the International Institute:

• New minor course of study for B-CU students
• A new master’s level program in Civic Participation and Social Responsibility
• An endowed chair in Civic Participation and Social Responsibility
• Community outreach centers for youth and young adults
• Annual consortiums to bring leaders to the campus to identify issues and to include student leaders in the development and implementation of strategies
• Yearly International Symposium for the identification of common issues for debate and policy formulation, and leadership development for civic participation
• An International Advisory Committee that will engage the public and private sectors
• Campus living / learning centers to foster critical thinking
• A publication and web-based e-journal that will frame critical issues for wider debate and consensus
• Student internships in non-profit organizations
• Divergent learning program to address literacy issues with youth and young adults
• The establishment of an International Advisory Committee comprised of prominent scholars, student and community leaders, and corporate representatives

Critical Topics for the International Institute

• Literacy
• Health
• Loss of Community Pride
• Drugs
• HIV/AIDS
• Leadership
• Effective Citizenship through voter registration and participation
• Volunteerism
• Inter-generational reconnection
• Priority Setting
• Culturally Synergistic Problem Solving
• Crime and Violence
• Apathy
• Increased Prison Population
• Class Differences
• Parenting
• Youth Mentoring
• Coalition Building (Haiti, Africa, Latin America, etc.)
• Economic Empowerment with Social Responsibility
• Civic Leadershhip Development
• Education for Social Change

International Advisory Committee

The International Advisory Committee will provide input on issue topics, resources, speakers, and writers for the programs of the Institute and e-journal.  

Honorary Co-Chairs

The Honorable Dorothy Height
President
National Council of Negro Women

The Honorable James Clyburn
U.S. Congress

Members

David Allen, M.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Harvard and Georgetown Universities

Mr. Berrece Andrews
Proctor & Gamble

Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracey
Senior Pastor
New Covenant Church, Orlando, FL

Desiree Cox, M.D.
Oxford University, England

The Honorable Joyce Cusack
Florida State Representative, District 27
Willie E. Gary
Chairman and CEO
Major Broadcasting Cable Network

Dr. Bertha G. Holliday
Director of Ethnic Minority Affairs
American Psychological Association

Dr. Lynn Huntley
Southern Education Foundation

Mrs. Willie May R. Johnson
Alumna, B-CU

Mr. John Kirtley
Step Up for Students, Tampa, FL

Mrs. Shirley Clare
Retired teacher

Bishop R. Maurapa
Africa University
Mutare, Zimbabwe

Bishop Felton E. May
Dean of the International Mission and Health Center
Philander Smith College

His Excellency Dr. Eugene Newry
Bahamian Ambassador to Haiti and the Dominican Republic

Ms. Suzanne Paul
United Nations

Mr. Jason Preciphs, Esq.
Attorney

Dr. Patrick David Roberts
President
Commonwealth of the Bahamas Academy of Medical Sciences
Nassau, Bahamas

Mr. Harris Rosen
Rosen Hotels, Orlando, FL

Dr. Margaret Smith
Volusia County (FL) Superintendent of Schools

The Honorable William F. Winter
Former Governor, Mississippi