Academic offerings include 82 degree programs and more than 40 workforce credentials
The University of the District of Columbia’s Foundation partners with businesses and community organizations to highlight the university’s many achievements and its outstanding alumni.
In 2018, the UDC Foundation was a sponsor of the Washington Business Journal’s Minority Business Leaders Awards. The program recognizes the Washington region’s top 25 minority business leaders as well as three Rising Stars based on demonstrated success over the previous 12 to 18 months. Winners were profiled in the Washington Business Journal and were selected based on professional accomplishments, community leadership and philanthropy, as well as awards and milestones.
Two outstanding UDC alumni were recognized among the 2018 winners: Marc Battle, Vice President, Pepco Holdings, Government & External Affairs; and Jim Simpson, President and CEO of Continental Construction Inc.
Simpson founded Continental Construction in 1989. With 42 years of experience in construction administration and management, he has overseen the successful completion of projects of all sizes and complexities for both public and private sector clients in the Washington DC Metropolitan area.
His projects range in construction value from $225,000 to $10,000,000. Continental Construction Inc., most notable projects include The Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the World War II Memorial and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
A native of Washington, DC, Simpson received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from D.C. Teacher’s College in 1971, Master of Science degree in Government from Southern Illinois University in 1975, Certificate in Construction Engineering from Catholic University in 1983 and Real Estate and Developers Executive Program Certificate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1991.
Battle leads the regulated electric utility company which delivers services to more than 815,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia; a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon Corporation. He manages public policy and stakeholder relations with District of Columbia government officials, community leaders and business, consumer and nonprofit organizations.
A 1999 graduate of the University of the District of Columbia, and 2002 graduate of the Howard University School of Law, Battle practiced law initially in the federal and local government. He serves on numerous boards including the UDC Foundation Board of Directors and is a life member of the UDC Alumni Association.