It?s almost a given that everyone would like to live in the best community possible ? one that has more and better jobs, better educational opportunities, a sense of unity; a place to call home.
The University of Central Arkansas is the founding center, nationally, for the Community Development Institute, a weeklong professional training program that gives leaders, elected officials and volunteers the tools to build better communities. In fact, UCA has one of only four CDIs in the nation.
This year?s CDI, hosted by the Division of Academic Outreach and Extended Programs in cooperation with Entergy, Southwestern Bell Communication and the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, will be Aug. 2-6 at Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center.
Dr. Robert Pittman, executive director of UCA?s institute, said community development and economic development go hand in hand.
?Before a community can develop economically, such as by convincing businesses to locate their industries there, it must become a place that can support that type of development,? he said.
Some of the key factors in successful community development are: a well educated workforce, a functional city government, strong public/private sector partnerships, a positive labor climate, and a strong sense of cooperation among community members.
Each year, up to 100 individuals enroll at UCA?s Community Development Institute. After a participant has completed the third year, he or she will have the option of taking an exam to become a certified community developer.
New this year is an advanced year option, for participants who have completed the third year program. The advance year option is open to all CDI alumni and will offer different training opportunities each year.
This year, the CDI will offer classes by Beverly Browning, a national expert in grant writing; Jack Vincent, an administrator of the certified community developer test; and Dr. David McCalman, program coordinator for the master?s of science in community and economic development at UCA.
Several CDI participants have taken their interest in community development a step further and have enrolled in the master?s program at UCA. Nine of the program?s credit hours can be earned by participating in the CDI.
?That is one-quarter of the entire master?s degree,? McCalman said.
?The master?s program gets more into the theory of community development,? he continued.
Classes are convenient for most professionals because many are offered through either distance learning or at night or on weekends.
For more information about enrolling in the CDI, contact the Division of Academic Outreach and Extended Programs at (501) 450-5372. To find out more about the master?s of science in community and economic development, contact McCalman at (501) 450-5349.
-Jennifer Boyett
