Maine UCEDD Receives APLU Exemplary Program Award for Community Engagement

February 17, 2014

(L) Paul W. Ferguson, President, UMaine; Lu Zeph, UCEDD Director and UMaine Associate Provost and Dean of Lifelong Learning; Claire Sullivan, UMaine Assoc. Dean for Community Engagement

The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (ME UCEDD) has received a 2013 Exemplary Program Award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) in recognition of 20 years of commitment to community engagement. APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization representing 219 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and related organizations.

The University of Maine was one of eight universities nationwide honored for exemplary proposals for the 2013 C. Peter Magrath University Community Engagement Award. ME UCEDD Director Lu Zeph, who also serves as UMaine associate provost and dean of lifelong learning, and Claire Sullivan, UMaine associate dean for community engagement, prepared the proposal.

"As we reflect on our progress to date, we are keenly aware of the challenges that remain," Zeph says. "Our new goals will be achieved through a number of relevant, interdisciplinary educational, research, and community engagement programs, informed by the community. These will be programs that prepare community and professional leaders, self-advocates, and family members to meet tomorrow's challenges and realities based upon strong reciprocal relationships. In the process, we will continue to be informed by our partners and joint experiences and integrate this new knowledge into future teaching, research and service initiatives."