CAUSES In Action | August 2020
Welcome to CAUSES
Greetings CAUSES Network,

"As the new Acting Associate Dean of Academic Programs, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), the innovative extension arm of the University of District of Columbia! The College offers baccalaureate, graduate and professional degree programs and special certificate and community education programs to learners of all ages. CAUSES is a notable establishment to explore fields of study that will shape the next generation of global citizens, leaders, and activists.

On behalf of the CAUSES family, we want you to know how much we value and appreciate you! COVID-19 has forced us all into a realm filled with emotions of uncertainty and concern for ourselves, our loved ones, and those who are the most vulnerable among us. We are deeply concerned about our students' health and safety, and the University has taken great measures to provide students the tools to be successful in remote learning. We are doing our best to protect you and our community while providing you with the best support and service possible."


Kind regards,

James Maiden, Ed.D, LPC, NCC (National Certified Counselor)
Acting Associate Dean for CAUSES, Academic Programs and Acting Chair for the Department of Health, Nursing, and Nutrition

CAUSES NEWS
UDC's Farmers Market Helps Sustain Healthy Living During Pandemic!
In response to today's health pandemic, the UDC Van Ness Farmers Market has implemented effective measures to ensure the safety of the D.C. community.

The market has successfully reshaped its operational practices to offer customers the flexibility to pre-order from vendors online, and pick up orders from our Grab and Go Station every Saturday.

UDC CAUSES Aids Underserved DC Communities During COVID-19!
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC), College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), has supplemented its operations and best practices with its educational mobile van, furthering its mission of “Healthy Cities, Healthy People” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The College employs safety protocols, requiring all produce to be harvested with gloves and masks, to ensure that DC residents are provided with the safest, fresh produce.

UDC CAUSES donated 6,071 pounds of fresh produce to food insecure residents in D.C.
CAUSES Center of Urban Agriculture and Garden Education (CUAGE) has worked efficiently to ensure D.C. residents of food desert areas have weekly donations of fresh produce during today's pandemic. From the beginning of COVID-19 in March to the end of July, the CUAGE team has donated 6,071 pounds of freshly grown produce, harvested from P.R. Harris Food Hub, Van Ness Urban Food Hub, and Firebird Research Farm in partnership with Purple Mountain Organics.

CUAGE's partnerships with non-profits, food banks, and community groups have played a significant role in combating food insecurity in D.C. communities. Participating partners include Martha's Table, Jones Memorial Church, Dreaming Out Loud, Mike Jones, Bread For The City, Plantita Power, Food Not Bombs, Veggie City, Capital Area Food Bank, and DC Central Kitchen. UDC CUAGE will continue to serve the residents of Wards 7 and 8 and provide aid from its local urban food hubs and industry partners.
UDC CAUSES Thomas Wheet serves as the NEW Public Policy Advisor for Aquaponics Association of America.
Congratulations to CUAGE's Thomas Wheet for his recent accomplishment for being selected as the Public Policy Advisor for the Aquaponics Association of America.

In this role, Thomas will orchestrate national advocacy campaigns to promote aquaponics, support aquaponics researchers and businesses pushing the industry forward, and liaise with government entities to increase awareness around, and resources for, aquaponics initiatives across the country.
UDC CAUSES & Data Science Camp, Inc. lead successful Virtual S.T.E.A.M Camp
The University of the District of Columbia’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) had partnered with Data Science Camp, Inc. (DSCI) to design and deliver the first-ever 2020 Virtual S.T.E.A.M Camp.

The newly-designed program featured a two-week, project-based, virtual learning program for team collaboration and design thinking for high school students in the Washington, D.C. area.

Learn more about the successes of this year's event here.

Student Spotlight
CAUSES celebrates Michelle Kuimba for achieving her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Certification
"Securing a dietetic internship is often viewed as one of the most challenging steps in pursuing a career in Dietetics due to the competitiveness of the applications. Through CAUSES, and specifically the Nutrition and Dietetics Department, I was provided multiple opportunities both in and out of the classroom that I believe helped my application stand out among hundreds of others. Some of these included working with the Ethnic Food Crops Program at Firebird Research Farm under Yao Afantchao, interning with the D.C. Office on Aging, and obtaining a research assistant position on the NE-1439 Multi-State Research Project under Dr. Prema Ganganna and Dr. Elgloria Harrison.
Perhaps more importantly, though, it was the support and encouragement I received from many of my instructors, including Dr. B. Michelle Harris, Dr. Naciem Yousif, Dr. Tia Jeffery, and Dr. Aparajita De (College of Arts and Sciences, Department of English). Whether it was helping me through complex coursework, advising me on study materials for the registration exam, or assisting me with my internship application, each of these individuals played a significant role in helping me succeed both in my undergraduate program, and my dietetic internship as well. In July of this year, I concluded my journey to becoming a Registered Dietitian after successfully completing the Commission on Dietetic Registration examination. I am grateful to the Nutrition and Dietetics program and those individuals who helped make this achievement possible." - Michelle Kuimba, RDN, LD

Announcements
CAUSES PhD Program Welcomes Next Cohort of Students!
Welcome to our PhD Students!

CAUSES is thrilled to welcome the second cohort of students to the PhD in Urban Leadership and Entrepreneurship degree program. The 12 new students join the first cohort of 12 who are now starting their second year in the program.

Here is some information about this accomplished group of students:
  • Seven females and six males
  • Aged 29-78 years
  • Institutions attended include HBCUs such as Clark Atlanta University and Morris Brown College, and Ivy League universities, such as Harvard and Brandeis
  • Earned degrees include African American Studies, Architecture, Engineering, Communications, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Economics, Education, Marketing, Library Science, Public Health, and International Relations
  • One member is serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We look forward to the many contributions they will make to the PhD program, CAUSES, the university, and the world.

For more information about the PhD in Urban Leadership and Entrepreneurship degree program, please contact Marshelle Hailstock, Project Coordinator, Outreach and Recruitment, at [email protected] or Dr. Sabine O'Hara, Distinguished Professor and PhD Program Director, at [email protected].
CAUSES Launches Virtual Registered Nurse To Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (RN to BSN)
The RN to BSN Program has re-opened to admit students as a fully remote nursing program. Data obtained from student requests for online programming, changes in the nursing profession, and increased options for upper mobility in nursing, prompted the nursing faculty to revamp the course delivery structure to facilitate enrollment and success for nurses currently working in the field who wish to obtain a BS in nursing.

NEW Communications Ticketing System!
The CAUSES Marketing and Communications Team has officially launched the NEW Communication Ticketing system to efficiently assist the College's faculty and staff with creative branding, design, and marketing support. The platform is both desktop and mobile-friendly, and serves as a resourceful guide for strategy planning and concept development.

Ready to place your communications request? Let CAUSES Communications Team properly assist you here.
For CAUSES Faculty and Staff: "Grants and Agreements" Forms, Templates and Instructions Now Available on our Website!
CAUSES "Grants and Agreements" documents are available for use via the website and can be found here.


Upcoming Events & Workshops
NEW Urban Agriculture Technician Certification Virtual Workshop
This 15-hour certificate course is designed to provide participants the knowledge and techniques necessary to maintain, repair and install critical fixtures of an urban agricultural space, and to master basic horticultural practices and techniques. Registration opens on Tuesday, 9/1.

Participants who score a 70% or higher on a written exam will receive an Urban Agriculture Technician I certificate.

For registration and course description, please visit here.
2020 National Capital Region Water Resources Virtual Symposium
The American Water Resources Association‘s (AWRA) 8th National Capital Region (NCR) Water Resources Virtual Symposium will be held Friday, October 9, 2020. This one-day symposium brings together experts from governmental agencies, academia, the private sector, and non-profits to present and discuss innovations in water research, technology, policy, and management to respect and reflect the value of water in the National Capital Region, as well as nationally and internationally.

The symposium is a great opportunity to meet other water resources professionals across the region! Register today!

Trending Topics
Join us as we welcome the NEW additions to CAUSES Nation!
We are proud to welcome and announce the NEW 2020 faculty and staff of CAUSES Nation!

The CAUSES Family is excited to have such great talent and industry leaders join the College!  We look forward to your contributions in advancing CAUSES to the next level.

Meet the new members of CAUSES Nation.
NEW: Quick Tips to Understanding Nutrition Facts Label Virtual Event
This one-hour workshop is designed to provide participants with information and easy tips on reading and understanding the nutrition facts label. Also, participants of this workshop will learn what nutrients and ingredients are required on the label by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Workshop participants will receive an electronic certificate of completion within 10 days of completing the workshop.


MEET CAUSES
Welcome to the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). UDC is the only urban, land-grant university in the nation. CAUSES was formed, in 2010, as the university’s land-grant college.

We engage in applied teaching and research that helps to improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for residents of the District of Columbia and others around the world, through traditional academic degrees, and through non-degree, non-credit bearing, skills-building programs, such as green infrastructure and urban agriculture.

CAUSES is unique in its organizational structure and its mission: an interdisciplinary college, where academic programs, such as architecture, urban sustainability, health education, nutrition and dietetics, and nursing, train a forward-thinking generation of professionals who will ensure that the world has “Healthy Cities–Healthy People.” The college houses the only doctoral-level program in the nation that focuses on urban leadership and entrepreneurship.
Connect with Us!

About the University of the District of Columbia
An HBCU, urban land-grant, and the only public university in the nation's capital, The University of the District of Columbia is committed to a broad mission of education, research and community service. Established by abolitionist Myrtilla Miner in 1851, the University of DC offers Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's Degrees and a host of workplace development services designed to create opportunities for student success. The University is comprised of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Public Administration, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, a Community College and the David A. Clarke School of Law. To learn more, visit www.udc.edu. The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University's EO Policy Statement, please visit: http://www.udc.edu/equal_opportunity. The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education - 3624 Market Street - Philadelphia, PA 19104 - 267.284.5000.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, this information is available in languages other than English. To file a complaint alleging discrimination, please complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to US Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed letter or form to USDA via fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: [email protected]. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action institution. The University prohibits discrimination or harassment against any person on the basis of the actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. This policy covers all programs, services policies, and procedures of the University, including admission to educational programs and employment. The University emphasizes the recruitment of minorities, women, disabled individuals, disabled veterans, Vietnam era veterans, and other eligible veterans.
El Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. (USDA) prohíbe la discriminación en todos sus programas y actividades por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, religión, sexo, identidad de género (incluida la expresión de género), orientación sexual, discapacidad, edad, estado civil, estado familiar / parental, ingresos derivados de un programa de asistencia pública, creencias políticas, represalias o represalias por actividades previas de derechos civiles. (No todas las bases prohibidas se aplican a todos los programas.) Las personas con discapacidades que requieren medios de comunicación alternativos para obtener información sobre el programa. (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas estadounidense, etc.) debe comunicarse con la Agencia responsable o con el TARGET Center de USDA al (202) 720-2600 (voz y TTY) o comunicarse con el USDA a través del Federal Relay Service al (800) 877-8339. Además, esta información está disponible en otros idiomas además del inglés. Para presentar una queja alegando discriminación, por favor complete el Formulario de Queja por Discriminación del Programa del USDA, AD-3027, que se encuentra en línea en http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, o en cualquier oficina del USDA o escriba una carta dirigida a Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos, Oficina del Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 y proporcionar en la carta toda la información solicitada en el formulario. Envíe su carta o formulario completado al USDA por fax: (202) 690-7442; o correo electrónico: [email protected]. Para solicitar una copia del formulario de queja, llame al (866) 632-9992. USDA es un proveedor, empleador y prestamista con igualdad de oportunidades para todos.
La Universidad del Distrito de Columbia es una institución de Acción Afirmativa en Igualdad de Oportunidades. La Universidad prohíbe la discriminación o el acoso contra cualquier persona sobre la base de la raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género reales o percibidos, responsabilidades familiares, matrícula, afiliación política, estado marital, apariencia personal, información genética, estado familiar, fuente de ingresos, estado como víctima de una ofensa intrafamiliar, lugar de residencia o negocio, o estado como veterano, según lo dispuesto y en la medida requerida por los estatutos del Distrito y Federal y regulaciones. Esta política cubre todos los programas, políticas de servicios y procedimientos de la Universidad, incluida la admisión a programas educativos y empleo. La Universidad enfatiza el reclutamiento de minorías, mujeres, personas discapacitadas, veteranos discapacitados, veteranos de la era de Vietnam y otros veteranos elegibles.