OU-Pontiac Initiative - Community Engagement

A Collaboration between Oakland University and the City of Pontiac

The OU-Pontiac Initiative is committed to helping advance the City of Pontiac while enhancing experiential learning opportunities for Oakland University students. Over the past year, a network of leaders from the City of Pontiac, Oakland University and the local community served as Pillar Leads for six focus areas: Birth to Grade 16 Education, Civic Engagement, Economic and Workforce Development, Health Care and Wellness, Arts and Culture, and Building Capacity for Non-Profits and Neighborhoods.

Events and News

Welcome

President’s Welcome

Oakland University, the city of Pontiac and its residents are more than neighbors defined by geographic proximity.

We share a mission, and a sense of community. And, we share a future. The OU-Pontiac Initiative reflects the possibilities and promise of the region’s distinguished university and one of Michigan’s most historic urban centers. Our relationship is mutually beneficial. For the last five years, we have built a steadfast partnership that has created invaluable learning and research opportunities for OU students and faculty to engage in meaningful and impactful projects that have also improved the quality of life for Pontiac residents. Collectively, these initiatives promote education, healthy living, civic engagement, economic and workforce development, arts and culture, and the capacity of nonprofits to further provide support for neighborhoods.

Under the leadership of OU Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Glenn McIntosh, we have fostered a collaborative and engaged approach. With Glenn’s direction, the resources of our university will continue to be focused on finding ways to improve education, health and economic opportunities in Pontiac. Furthermore, the recent appointment of Kevin Corcoran as OU’s Chief Community Engagement Officer is a testament of our long-term, unwavering commitment.

Together, we look forward to the future that lies ahead.

Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D. President Oakland University

Mission, Vision and Goals

VISION STATEMENT
A sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship between Oakland University and the City of Pontiac

MISSION STATEMENT
The Oakland University-Pontiac Initiative is advancing the vitality of Pontiac while enhancing experiential learning opportunities for Oakland University students. Promotes civic engagement in the community. In addition, it calls upon a broad network of individuals and organizations to achieve these goals by using appropriate infrastructure, human and financial resources. Oakland University, the city of Pontiac and its residents are more than neighbors defined by geographic proximity. We share a mission, and a sense of community. And, we share a future.

COLLABORATIVE GOALS

To be a catalyst for relationship building and collaborative projects involving groups from Pontiac and Oakland University
To promote the University’s research agenda with a focus on mutually beneficial projects that enhance both communities
To enhance the curricular and co-curricular programs by connecting students with Pontiac-based opportunities for service learning, internships, volunteer experiences, recreation and arts
To support the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan: Pontiac Moving Forward
To connect Pontiac-based entities with OU faculty, students, programs and resources
To facilitate consistent, accurate and timely communication between Pontiac and the University communities
To identify and secure human and financial resources (including external grants) needed to ensure a sustainable model for community engagement

Get Involved

Headshot of Teresa Rodges The OU-Pontiac Initiative is committed to helping advance the City of Pontiac while enhancing experiential learning opportunities for Oakland University students. Over the past year, a network of leaders from the City of Pontiac, Oakland University and the local community served as Pillar Leads for six focus areas: PK-16 Education, Civic Engagement, Economic and Workforce Development, Health Care and Wellness, Arts and Culture, and Building Capacity for Non-Profits and Neighborhoods. There are many opportunities for the residents of Pontiac and Oakland University faculty, staff and students to become involved with the OU-Pontiac initiative. For more information, contact Teresa Rodges, Coordinator for Community Service Partnerships, Oakland University, trodges@oakland.edu or (248) 370-3087.

Leadership

Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D.
President, Oakland University

Tim Greimel
Mayor, City of Pontiac

Khalfani Stephens
Deputy Mayor, City of Pontiac

Pastor Douglas P. Jones
President and Founder
Greater Pontiac Community Coalition

Dr. Thomas Kimble
President Emeritus, AARP and Initiative Co-Chair

Glenn McIntosh
Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer,
Oakland University and Initiative Co-Chair

Jean Ann Miller
Senior Director for Office for Student Involvement, Oakland University

Teresa Rodges
Sr. Director for Community Service and Pre-College Programs

Dr. Samino Scott
Executive Director
Pontiac Collective Impact Partnership

Wayne Thibodeau
Senior Director for Career Services, Oakland University

John Young
Vice President for University Communications and Marketing, Oakland University