CAUSES In Action | June 2021
Meet Dr. Phronie Jackson

 Assistant Professor
Community Health Worker
Center for the Advancement of Learning (C.A.L) Fellow
Advisor to Peers for Community and Public Health Awareness
Dr. Phronie Jackson wears many hats here at UDC-CAUSES. She has more than 10 years of experience supporting many programs and students at Spelman College, the University of Maryland, Howard University, and Strayer University with internships, fieldwork, and practicums in public, community, and population health. 

As a professor of Health Education and 2021 Faculty Fellow, she serves the college as program coordinator and academic advisor for the Health Education program. She is also an approved facilitator of the Council on Behavior Health’s Mental Health First Aid Training and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ Certified Peer Educator’s Training. 

In 2017 and 2018, she worked with UDC’s Minority Serving Institute/ Community-Based Organization Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's grant team as the key evaluator, data analyst, and assistant program coordinator. This grant trains individuals to serve as community health workers and includes developing curricula and providing internships for the trainees. Her research interests focus on dissemination, implementation, and community-based participatory research that addresses social determinants of health, health disparities, health equity, and pedagogy. 
"Walk!!! Wellness equals an active lifestyle plus knowledge. We must teach people how to live a healthy lifestyle. When people know better, they do better. This is how we put the focus on the Healthy "People" as to create the Healthy Cities." - Dr. Phronie Jackson
Since 2000, as a public health scholar and practitioner, she has established relationships and collaborated with the public, private, community, and faith-based organizations to implement programs and interventions that positively impact stakeholders. In 2017, she was selected by Walden University as an Inaugural Social Change Fellow and conducted a research study on community health workers. Since 2018, Dr. Jackson has also served as the Lead Trainer/Facilitator for the HI-V Regional Early Intervention Services (REIS) demonstration grant, funded under the District of Columbia Health Department’s HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (HAHSTA).

Dr. Jackson loves the flexibility of her current role at UDC-CAUSES."I never feel boxed in. I can teach/train, conduct research, and provide service about eating healthy, physical activity, gardening — you name it. Public health touches everyone in some way." She and her colleagues love facilitating new collaborations between Academic and Land-grant programs in the Health, Nursing, and Nutrition Department.

Connect with Dr. Phronie Jackson at phronie.jackson@udc.edu.
CAUSES NEWS
CAUSES' RN to BSN Program Featured in the Top Nursing Publication in the District, DC Nursing News!
DC Nursing News is a regional, quarterly publication that services over 36,000
nurses, administrators, students,
educators, and allied healthcare
professionals in the District of Columbia.

It includes vital and interesting information
pertinent to all licensees. Topics range
from the scope of practice, licensure,
education, regulatory changes, and
much more.
Topics range from the scope of practice, licensure, education, regulatory changes, and much more.
NBA Names Magna Cum Laude UDC Graduate Amadou Gallo, Fall President of Basketball Africa League
"Amadou’s efforts to grow basketball and the NBA’s business across Africa have been extraordinary, and he is an ideal public figure to lead the Basketball Africa League,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum.

This historic initiative will not only further enhance the game in Africa but also provide new opportunities in media, technology, and infrastructure on the continent."
Center for the Advancement of Steady State Economy (CASSE) features Sabine O'Hara in the Steady Stater Podcast!
The Steady Stater is CASSE’s podcast, established August 3, 2020, and hosted by CASSE’s very own Brian Czech. It is the only podcast in the world dedicated to advancing the steady state economy.

Listen to Sabine and Brian discuss her theory of production, urban food hubs, capitalism, and input/output analysis. Plus, learn how UDC-CAUSES is a hub, too—of food for thought and thoughts on food.

Catch The Steady State podcast airing live every Monday at 8:00 am EST.
Podcast Synopsis

Czech and guests offer unique and compelling dialogue on the steady-state economy, limits to growth, the degrowth movement, and related affairs in science, society, politics, and policy.
NEWS: DC Master Gardener Program Now Offers Financial Aid for Fall Basic Training Applicants! 
The DC Master Gardener volunteer training program trains volunteers in sustainable urban gardening practices. Residents who graduate from the program become certified Master Gardeners, go on to volunteer in their communities and provide support to a wide range of garden-based projects and activities.

The cost of the DC Master Gardener Basic Training is $300. This amount covers program materials and instructor fees. Financial aid is available for eligible participants.

Basic training and certification empower volunteers to represent UDC and help build a healthier city with DC residents.
Deadline for Online Applications: July 18

If you have any questions, please contact Patricia Bon at (202) 941- 7923 or patricia.bon@udc.edu.
Student Spotlight
Student Success Story: Meet Ian Kingsley,
a Proud CAUSES Alumni
Every Firebird's story is unique! At UDC-CAUSES we want to understand YOUR particular interests, needs, and aspirations. On Firebird Fridays, read real student success stories from those who know this first-hand.

This month, meet Ian Kingsley. Ian transferred to UDC in hopes of pursuing an engineering degree. However, after enrolling he was quickly attracted to CAUSES’ Urban Sustainability major. After seeing the green roof, greenhouses, and LEED standard water management systems, Ian made the easy decision to join the program.


Learn how YOU can take part in the key role CAUSES' Center of Urban Agriculture and Garden Education plays in today's global challenges like urbanization, food, and nutritional security.
Testimonial Talk
"After graduation in the Fall of 2018, I accepted a job as a field technician with Farmshelf, a hydroponics company based in Brooklyn, New York. At the time, they were a couple of years into their nationwide expansion, starting in Washington, DC.

I have been responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of around 20 Farmshelf units in the DMV area located at various universities, cafeterias, and restaurants.

The product puts hydroponic production on display in front of people who may never have seen it up close before and high-quality produce in the hands of chefs for them to harvest on-demand as needed.

I really enjoy my work with Farmshelf and look forward to their continued expansion into new cities and new markets." - Ian Kingsley.

Click below to learn how YOU can take part in the key role CAUSES' Center of Urban Agriculture and Garden Education plays in today's global challenges like urbanization, food, and nutritional security.
Staff Spotlight
Must Read: Newly Published Article by Anna Franz on Revitalization and Branding of Rural Communities in Cameroon Using a Circular Approach for Sustainable Development
We are thrilled to announce that the latest publication from CAUSES' Anna Franz, Assistant Professor, "Revitalization and Branding of Rural Communities in Cameroon Using a Circular Approach for Sustainable Development," is now available in the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.

Rural communities in Cameroon have high levels of poverty, poor living conditions, and lagging sustainable development. Lack of economic, social, and physical infrastructure opportunities make these communities unsustainable and impact the quality of life for residents. Existing conditions render these areas unattractive for visitors and external and local investors. Initiatives to reduce poverty and improve living standards have had a limited impact on reducing poverty or improving quality of life.

The recent signing of Cameroon’s decentralization law, giving authority for planning and investments to local council governments now provides an opportunity to rethink existing strategies. Using Batibo, a representative community in the northwestern region of Cameroon, this paper examines the status of development initiatives and identifies new priorities for planning and steps to improve economic status. 

Publication Contributors Include:
Anna Franz and Mudoh Mbah

Academic Editor: Sabine O’Hara

This article belongs to the Special Issue: 
Announcements
Check Out CAUSES 
NEW Social Channels!
Our social media channels help us engage with our audience and promote our many offerings and upcoming events weekly. 

Click below to learn how UDC–CAUSES can benefit you professionally or academically.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
UDC_CAUSES
Follow us on social and stay updated! #UDC1851


UDC-CAUSES FREE Summer e-Courses and Training Programs are Now Open
for Registration!
In response to the pandemic and remote measures put in place, CAUSES’ Land-Grant Centers will continue its scholastic efforts this summer with virtual courses and certificate programs to better serve the District, the nation, and the world. 

Sign-up today and become skillfully trained, equipped, or certified from a program or two of your choice.
To apply or for questions, please contact Marshelle Hailstock, Project Coordinator, Outreach and Recruitment, at mhailstock@udc.edu.
UDC Bertie Backus Community Garden in Fort Totten is Now Accepting Garden Plot Applications!
Available garden space is located at the UDC Bertie Backus Campus! The well-known Community Garden consists of twenty-six (26) 3.5' x 7' raised garden beds.
 
The Community Garden's Board of Directors, in conjunction with UDC–CAUSES, assigns plots to applicants on a first-come, first-served, and waiting list basis. The garden is currently free and does not collect any membership dues or fees. 
 
Note: No gardening experience is needed. New, amateur, and experienced gardeners welcome! 
For more information regarding the Bertie Backus Community Garden, contact
Lasia and Cheryl at bertiegarden@gmail.com
ICYMI: DC Master Gardener Program Continuing Education Series Recap
Video recordings of Master Gardener Continuing Education Spring/Summer Series are now available to the public:

To learn what it takes to become a DC Master Gardener, please contact Patrica Bon at patricia.bon@udc.edu or
(202) 941-7923.
Upcoming Events
Virtual Open House: RN to BSN
Learn how you can complete your degree in 16 months or less by enrolling in our fully online, accredited, RN to BSN degree program.

About this Event
Do you have an associate degree in nursing? A 2.7 cumulative GPA or higher? A nursing license (now or in the next few months)? Please join us for an overview of the program on Wednesday, July 28 from 5:00–6:00 PM.

At the event, we will cover the program curriculum, credits, costs, funding opportunities, and explore career possibilities. We will also answer commonly asked questions in detail. The nursing program will provide all registrants with a link for attendance.

Please visit our program site to learn more about the RN to BSN program.

For general inquiries and application support, contact Kenneth J. Cooper, Ph.D., Student Recruitment and Academic Advising Specialist/
RN to BSN Program, at kenneth.cooper@udc.edu.
Mark Your Calendar

Join us on Wednesday, July 28, from 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Trending Virtual Programs
DC Master Gardener Continuing Educational Workshop Series
Learn tips and tricks for planning a successful garden.

Classes Include:

  • Garden Planning & Seasonality 101 with Samaria King from Dreaming Out Loud;
  • Composting for Soil Health with Brenda Platt from the Institute for Local Self Resilience
  • Tree communication with Richard Jones, Board Certified Master Arborist
  • Prune with a Purpose with Jake Hendee from the Smithsonian.

Series Begins: 7/20/21
Please contact Patrica Bon at patricia.bon@udc.edu.
Dive in for our NEW "Healthy Eating on a Budget" eCourse this Summer!
This is a 16-hour interactive, remote-based certificate course. Designed to help students eat healthy on a budget, you’ll learn how to make traditional recipes healthier. Plus, work with the instructor to address issues that prevent healthy eating. (Cooking demonstrations are included.)

Gather your ingredients, and cook along with the instructor for healthier meals!

Class Continues: July 6, 2021
Contact Dr. Amy Schweitzer for the course link and registration information amy.schweitzer@udc.edu or 
(202) 923-7204
Are you interested in advancing your expertise and skill set in food safety management?

This virtual course is designed to teach food safety management principles to create an adaptive food safety culture. The course also includes how to identify and avoid harmful food contaminants,
proper employee health and hygiene, cleaning and sanitation principles, and safe food handling practices. Classes reconvene on 7/12!

Bonus: Participants will have the opportunity to earn a Professional Food Manager certification if they pass the national certification exam with a score of 70% or better.
For additional information about this course, please contact Paul Brown, Jr. at pbrown@udc.edu or 202-841-1902.
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 the 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.

For more information or inquiries, feel free to contact us at causes@udc.edu.

Socially Active? Connect with Us!

About the University of the District of Columbia
University of the District of Columbia is 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, Master's, and Doctoral 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: program.intake@usda.gov. 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: program.intake@usda.gov. 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.