The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) recently hosted a webinar featuring leaders from Community College of Philadelphia, Temple University, and University of Michigan-Dearborn. The session provides information in order to build an understanding of how to best support opportunity youth—young people between the ages of 16 and 24 that are neither in school nor in the workforce—through social-emotional approaches and strategies on solidifying collaborations with external partners.

This webinar builds off of a 2019 CUMU report that identified opportunity youth programs across the CUMU membership through a partnership with Cleveland State University and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Resources

Webinar slides

Panelist Biographies

  • AMY FINLEY, PH.D. is Dean of Students at the University of Michigan–Dearborn. Dr. Finley’s office oversees the Center for Social Justice and Inclusion, Disability Services, Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Life, and more. These are all essential services that students rely on whether classes are in-person or remote. She has over 15 years of experience supporting UM-Dearborn students. EMAIL: akaraban@umich.edu
  • TRACY HALL, PH.D. is Executive Director of the Office of Metropolitan Impact at the University of Michigan–Dearborn. Dr. Hall also serves as a lecturer in the masters of public administration and public policy. She has over 15 years of experience supporting workforce development and also leads trainings to support others in how to best support and respond to traumatic experiences of students. EMAIL: tshall@umich.edu
  • MOLLY MANLEY is the Assistant Director of the Office of Metropolitan Impact. She recently completed a masters of public policy and has an extensive background in restorative practices. Dr. Hall and Ms. Manley recently led a workshop for over 100 participants to help various campus leaders to build an understanding of how to recognize and work with trauma and toxic stress in youth, even more important now that we are in the midst of a pandemic. EMAIL: mrmanley@umich.edu

DAVID THOMAS, ED.D. serves as the Associate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Dean of Access & Community Engagement, and the Executive Director at the Institute of Community Engagement & Civic Leadership at the Community College of Philadelphia. In 2017, Dr. Thomas was awarded the Giving Back Award from INSIGHT into Diversity Magazine, recognizing how he has gone above and beyond his job duties to support others and in 2019, he was named an Aspen Institute Presidential Fellow for Community College Excellence. EMAIL: dthomas@ccp.edu

MONIFA YOUNG holds a Master of Business Administration and serves as the Project Director of CCP’s Gateway to College Program. The Gateway to College program is an alternative education opportunity for School District of Philadelphia students who have disengaged from school but have the desire to earn a diploma. We look forward to hearing about this innovative partnership between CCP and Philadelphia public schools.

SHIRLEY MOY is the Executive Director of the Lenfest North Philadelphia Workforce Initiative. She previously served as the director of the Center for Social Policy and Community Development at Temple University. Her department seeks to strengthen the earning potential of local communities by supporting workforce programs and training that lead to careers and employment with sustainable wages. EMAIL: smoy@temple.edu