President Maurice D. Edington, Ph.D., discussed his strategic priorities and explained his vision for “One UDC” during his 2023 Fall Opening Convocation keynote address on September 21 at the University of the District of Columbia’s Theater of the Arts.
Newly installed Interim Chief Academic Officer April Massey kicked off the annual event by welcoming new and returning students to the University, which serves as the official start of the academic year.
Rev. Brenton Brock, Program Specialist for the UDC Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs in the Division of Student Development and Success, delivered the opening prayer, asking that God would bring everyone together “on one accord” and that “a fresh fire” would “set aflame a new breed of Firebirds.”
Board of Trustees Chairman Christopher D. Bell, J.D., noted that Convocation is a celebration of UDC’s 172-year-old history as the second oldest historically black college and the District’s only public University.
Yolanda Torres, a chemistry major whose family fled El Salvador during its civil war in the 1980s, introduced President Edington, who explained the theme: “One UDC: A Public University for the Public Good.”
Torres said she could relate to Edington – a chemist – because he overcame hardships to become the first person in his family to attend college.
The President pointed out it’s an HBCU tradition to begin the semester with Convocation, a formal assembly taken from the Latin word convocare, which means “to call together.”
He called UDC “a hidden gem” and recognized the student pride “as you walk the halls.”
On the theme, the President explained that “One UDC” means “a united front” and that all stakeholders “are aligned and dedicated to advancement, academic excellence and public service.”
“This includes students, faculty, staff, alumni, our University Board of Trustees, District government, corporate partners, community members and funding agencies,” he said.
UDC is a place where students will be affirmed, Edington added. Students are trained to serve, and they put that into action once they graduate.
The President’s vision is that UDC will be recognized for offering high-quality academic programs and an exceptional student experience.
He will unveil a strategic plan in the coming months, which includes the following initiatives: launching a strategic recruitment and enrollment management plan, expanding and enhancing academic support services, identifying and expanding our signature academic areas of excellence and increasing research capacity.
The President also plans to increase support for faculty and staff recruitment and retention initiatives, “aggressively” explore student housing options, improve customer service, upgrade campus facilities, elevate UDC’s brand, expand fundraising efforts, broaden UDC’s impact as a community partner, improve efficiency and enhance alumni relations.
Edington closed his remarks by saying everyone at UDC is running a race and is responsible for performing their duties to the best of their abilities.