A Message from the President of the Urban College

Dr. Linda Edmonds Turner, President, Urban College of Boston

Welcome to the Urban College of Boston!

First of all, I wish to express my most sincere congratulations to the Urban College of Boston (UCB) class of 2010! The excitement of our 15th Commencement Ceremony reminds me of how remarkable the Urban College of Boston truly is. I remember that as I reviewed the list of this year’s graduating class, I could not help but feel a strong sense of accomplishment and pride! I am delighted to report that the 2010 graduating class included the very first recipients of the Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Certificate, a Program which began in the 2008 summer term by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For all of our enthusiasm, we continue to mourn the loss of the College’s Founding President Robert M. Coard who passed away last November. At Commencement, a fitting tribute was made in honor of his legacy. Anyone who knew Mr. Coard would describe him as a man who took great pride in providing higher education access to upwardly mobile low income people.

The 2009-2010 academic year marks significant campus milestones with an annual student enrollment of over 970 and over 2,700 registrations despite the economic downturn! Since the UCB’s founding in 1993, the College has issued more than 1,300 degrees and certificates, and a growing number of the students have continued their education at baccalaureate institutions and some have gone beyond to purse their master’s and other advanced degrees.

During the 2009-2010 academic year the Urban College of Boston Board of Trustees continued to expand its membership adding three new talented and dedicated leaders. Additionally, UCB opened a Career Center where students, as well as alumni receive a full-range of career counseling, assessment, and referral services for job placement and skills training. The Center was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), a major initiative of President Obama to stimulate the economy.

I am also proud of the chartered members of the Urban College of Boston’s Alumni Association (UCAA) who have served as a vital link in creating the lifelong bond between alumni and the Urban College. In the weeks and months ahead, UCAA will be electing a new slate of officers and developing a UCAA page on our web site.

As we enter perhaps the most fiscally challenging academic year in campus history, UCB remains committed to realizing Mr. Coard’s vision of providing affordable and quality higher education in a supportive environment to meet the challenges of so many of our deserving students within the Greater Boston Community. Serving students is our top priority!

Grow with us!

Linda Edmonds Turner, Ph.D.
President

President Linda E. Turner receives Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award for Arts and Education