Tuesday, July 8, 2008

CONTINUING THE LEGACY: UI&U Launches Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Specialization for Doctoral Learners

MLK specialization reinforces university’s mission to address critical social issues by empowering adults in their pursuit of a lifetime of learning and service

CINCINNATI, OH - Union Institute & University (UI&U) is honored to announce the launch of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Specialization for doctoral learners enrolled in the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies program. Within the context of their academic studies in leadership, public policy, and the humanities, UI&U’s Ph.D. candidates will have the opportunity to study the intellectual, moral, spiritual, and political legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. Potential areas of research include Dr. King’s contributions to such areas as non-violent approaches to social and political change, the principles and practices of justice, the role of communities in political organization, and the ethical and civic responsibilities of both religious and secular leaders.

“At the conclusion of his life and work, Dr. King had engaged the issues of poverty in a land of affluence, and leaves to us the continuing challenge of engineering abundance in the place of scarcity and the violence of poverty,” said Dr. Virgil Wood, who coordinated the State of Virginia for Dr. King’s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963.

“The new MLK Studies specialization reinforces UI&U’s mission to empower adults to acquire knowledge through interdisciplinary and collaborative programs that address social issues,” said Dr. Larry Preston, graduate dean for UI&U’s Cohort Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies program. “By focusing on Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy, and through internships in a variety of disciplines, learners will move beyond expressing concern about the very large number of individuals who live in poverty or blaming those who are poor for being poor and become equipped to explore the underlying causes of poverty.”

Doctoral learners enrolled in the specialization will take 30 hours of coursework including core and advanced seminars in two of three areas of concentrations: ethical and creative leadership; public policy and social issues; and humanities and society. Learners will also have the opportunity to work alongside Dr. King’s colleagues, including Dr. Virgil Wood. Plans for the program include Ph.D. residencies in Atlanta, more funding for scholarships, and support for visiting scholars.

“We are very excited about this new program and look forward to working together in the future,” said Isaac Farris, CEO of the King Center and nephew of the late Dr. King. UI&U learners will have access to the King Center’s library, which houses Dr. King’s writings in addition to the work of other civil right leaders, including Julian Bond and Andrew Young.

The new MLK specialization, said Dr. Wood, “puts a face of hope on the 40-year age of despair which we have experienced since Dr. King’s death in 1968 - until now.”

For more information about the new MLK specialization contact Regina Sewell, Admissions Counselor, Cohort PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, at 1.800.486.3116, ext. 1268, or email regina.sewell@tui.edu.

Union Institute & University Names Dr. Gregory Stewart Vice President of Enrollment Management

Stewart has led record-setting enrollment initiatives; shares UI&U’s commitment to social justice and the benefits of higher education

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University (UI&U) today announced the appointment of Dr. Gregory Stewart as UI&U’s vice president for enrollment management. In this role, Stewart will work with the university community to accomplish the goal of strategic enrollment growth through learner recruitment and retention.

“Union has an excellent reputation as a national university serving adult learners. I am excited about working at UI&U because I believe the work of strategic enrollment management – the recruitment, retention and graduation of learners – is one of the best careers in the world,” said Stewart. “I share Union’s commitment to social justice and the benefits of higher education.”
Stewart has 25 years of increasing administrative responsibilities in a broad spectrum of higher education institutions serving traditional age and adult learners and brings a wealth of experience in leading recruitment and retention programs. He served as interim associate vice president for enrollment management at the University of Cincinnati, and associate vice president for enrollment management at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), where he led the university in record setting enrollment growth. In addition, he served as director of admissions at the University of Akron and director of admissions at NKU. His most recent position was as vice president, enrollment management and student affairs, at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

“We are excited about the expertise and potential that Dr. Stewart brings to our enrollment efforts,” said U&IU President Dr. Roger H. Sublett. “Enrollment is a prime focus for all of us at Union, both at our headquarters here in Cincinnati, as well as in our outlying academic centers in Miami, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Vermont. Greg’s publication record is impressive, as is his participation in state, regional and national professional conferences relating to enrollment management and learner services. We look forward to some exciting years of enrollment growth and increased service to our learners in Cincinnati and around the country.”

Stewart has also served as a faculty member, teaching social work, human services, and higher education administration at the University of Akron and NKU and participated as a member of the U.S.–Cambodia Joint Conference on Social Work delegation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2007. He has published articles on diversity and higher education issues in scholarly journals and professional publications and has authored and managed a dozen research and service grants.
A volunteer for the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Stewart is a member of the Board of Directors for the Inner City Tennis Foundation, The Center for Chemical Addictions Treatment, Wesley Education Center for Children and Families, and the English Language Learning Foundation. In 2006, he was recognized with the 2006 Nuestra Familia Award from the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs in recognition of outstanding service for the Hispanic Community in the State of Ohio. He was also the recipient of the 2002 Bridge Builder Award for the Cincinnati/Hamilton County Community Action Agency.

Stewart earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Cincinnati and continued his education at Miami University, where he completed a master’s degree in counseling. He has a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Ohio University and is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and National Certified Counselor (NCC).