By Jillian Beck | Cal State LA News Service
Cal State LA President William A. Covino was elected vice president of the executive committee of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities at the organization’s annual conference in Chicago on Tuesday.
The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) is an international organization of universities in large metropolitan areas that share common understandings of their institutional missions, values and commitments to improving their surrounding communities. Cal State LA is one of only 30 universities in the nation designated as an anchor institution by CUMU as part of a new effort to uplift and transform the economies and social well-being of communities across the nation.
“Cal State LA’s roots run deep in the communities that we serve in Los Angeles,” Covino said. “We are dedicated to transforming people and places through education. Our collaboration with CUMU underscores that mission.”
University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman was elected president of the executive committee at the CUMU Annual Conference. The new leadership was announced by outgoing CUMU Executive Committee President Tom George, chancellor of the University of Missouri–St. Louis, during an afternoon plenary session attended by hundreds.
Throughout the conference, Cal State LA leaders delivered nine presentations on the university’s groundbreaking programs and partnerships. Topics included the Mind Matters initiative; Cal State LA BioSpace; Civic University, a program of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State LA; the Prison Graduation Initiative; Achieve LA; Cal State LA Downtown and the university’s partnership with the city of Los Angeles’ Gang Reduction and Youth Development Office.
In July, Covino was named to the CUMU executive committee as a member at-large.
Since becoming Cal State LA president in September 2013, Covino has emphasized the importance of a curriculum that prepares students to transform the future and improve the quality of life in Los Angeles and beyond. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the nation for the upward mobility of its students.
Covino is a member of a number of regional and national organizations including the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, the board of directors of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, Association of American Colleges and Universities, Western Senior College and University Commission, board of directors for the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and UNITE-LA.
Photo: President William A. Covino. (Credit: J. Emilio Flores/Cal State LA)
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 28,000 students and has more than 245,000 distinguished alumni.
Cal State LA is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex and the TV, Film and Media Center. For more information, visit www.CalStateLA.edu.
10/23/18