Dean’s Welcome
Dr. Dwane Jones, Dean of CAUSES and Land-grant Programs
Healthy Cities – Healthy People
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is a historically Black, urban land grant university that offers associate, baccalaureate, and graduate programs, certificate programs and community outreach programs to learners of all ages. The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) embodies the land-grant tradition of UDC. We offer cutting edge academic programs in urban sustainability, water resources management, nutrition and dietetics, urban architecture and community planning. CAUSES also offer a wide range of programs that serve individuals and organizations in our community and beyond.
Making a Difference
The Community is our Classroom. This signifies that our teaching is deeply rooted not only in solid theoretical foundations but also in the rich knowledge drawn from the community and region by the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences. We offer a wide range of research programs through the Water Resources Institute, and the 143-acre Firebird Research Farm. CAUSES also offers community outreach programs for all ages through 4-H and the Center for Youth Development, the Center for Nutrition, Diet and Health (CNDH), and the Center for Urban Resilience, Innovation and Infrastructure (CURII).
Knowledge for a Lifetime
We are deeply committed to being relevant to the residents of the District of Columbia. Given our three-pronged approach of teaching, research and community outreach, we seek to make a measurable, positive difference in the lives of people right where they live and work. As a result, our programs focus on improving economic conditions, social and cultural circumstances, and the health of people and their living environments. Yet our community-based programs are more than local. They also serve as model for relevant learning far beyond our region.
Preparation for a Global Marketplace
CAUSES programs recognize that, like ecosystems, we are connected to people and places right here in our own neighborhoods and to those half way around the world. Pollution travels, resources are not always consumed where they are generated, and job markets are increasingly global and knowledge based. Given these realities, we aspire to teach you to think in systems, work in diverse teams, and focus on connectivity and innovation. We apply these principals to all of our programs including our Master’s and Bachelor’s degree programs, professional development certificates and community outreach and youth programs.The faculty and staff of CAUSES look forward to discussing with you how our programs and initiatives can best serve you. Please contact us at 202.274.7124or at causes@udc.edu.
Vision, Mission, Goals
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is an urban landgrant university that offers associate, baccalaureate, graduate and professional degree programs, as well as community education and certificate programs to learners of all ages. The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) embodies the landgrant tradition of UDC. In addition to offering innovative academic programs in urban architecture and community development, urban sustainability, health education, nursing, and nutrition and dietetics, we also offer a wide range of community education programs through our three landgrant centers (1) The Center for Urban Agriculture & Gardening Education, (2) The Center for Urban Resilience, Innovation and Infrastructure which includes the Water Resources Research Institute, and (3) The Center for Nutrition, Diet, and Health which includes the Institute of Gerontology.
Our Mission
The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences of the University of the District of Columbia offers research-based academic and community outreach programs that improve the quality of life and economic opportunity of people and communities in the District of Columbia, the nation and the world.
Our Vision
The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences of the University of the District of Columbia will be a world leader in designing and implementing top quality, research-based academic and community outreach programs that measurably improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of people and communities in the District of Columbia, the nation and the world.
Our Aspirations for CAUSES Graduates
CAUSES graduates are exceptionally well-prepared to succeed in their chosen field of study. Our graduates stand out by having distinctive attributes and competencies. CAUSES graduates are:
- Global citizens committed to local relevance.
- Adept at solving urban problems.
- Committed to health and wellness, food and water security.
- Skilled at navigating diverse social, cultural, built and natural environments.
- Independent thinkers and collaborative team players.
- Adaptive lifelong learners.
Our Aspirations for District Residents and Organizations
CAUSES landgrant programs are exceptionally well-positioned to advance the sustainability goals of the District of Columbia and the five core objectives of the National Institute for Food and Agriculture of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which are to:
- Improve food security.
- Mitigate climate change.
- Combat childhood obesity and other food related illness.
- Improve food safety.
- Improve water safety and management.
- Expand alternative energy solutions.
For more information about CAUSES, please visit www.udc.edu/CAUSES. We look forward to serving you.