UArizona to Host DC Center for Outreach & Collaboration's Inaugural Event

By Nick Prevenas, University Communications

Sept. 9, 2021

The University of Arizona will celebrate the opening of its Washington, D.C. Center for Outreach & Collaboration with a series of events showcasing the university's expertise and influence in several key areas.

"The University of Arizona Washington, D.C. Center for Outreach & Collaboration was created to bring the university's experts, students, alumni and supporters together in the nation's capital to amplify our positive impact," said University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins. "I am looking forward to welcoming attendees to this inaugural event and the opportunities it will provide for us to convene important discussions for the future of our state, nation and world."

The university's Washington, D.C. Center for Outreach & Collaboration was established in 2020 to extend the impact of UArizona research and scholarship. The nearly 14,000-square-foot office space – located at the corner of 13th Street Northwest and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest in Washington, D.C. – serves as an East Coast extension for several UArizona entities, including:

With more than 5,500 alumni living within 150 miles of Washington, D.C., this East Coast hub for engagement is a key initiative of the university's strategic plan and will seek to advance UArizona's initiatives as a top 20 public research institution through its proximity to federal agencies.

The opening celebration for the center will include programming focused on societal challenges that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but have taken on increased significance and complexity over the past 18 months. Speakers include UArizona experts as well as key leaders from federal agencies, the Biden administration, congressional offices and committees, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations and regulatory agencies that are actively working to address these challenges.

Sept. 20: Partnerships for Resilience: Reframing Solutions

Robbins and Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell, UArizona senior vice president for Research, Innovation & Impact, will host a workshop and reception on creating innovative research partnerships focused on solutions to environmental and societal problems. Invitees include program managers from several federal agencies; Biden administration officials; staff from Arizona congressional offices and key congressional committees; representatives from the private sector, nongovernmental organizations and regulatory agencies; and selected UArizona alumni.

Sept. 21: How College Choice Can Affect Career: Preparing Students for the Workforce of the Future

Kasey Urquídez, vice president of enrollment management and dean of undergraduate admissions, will host a panel of experts that will discuss how career preparation can impact a student's success after college.

Sept. 21: Diplomats as Legal Liaisons: A New Model for Legal Education

Leaders with the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores of Mexico and Instituto Matias Romero (Diplomatic Academy of Mexico) will detail their partnership to provide foreign service professionals and ministry staff with a foundational understanding of U.S. law. Through a customized learning environment, the University of Arizona trains distinguished professionals in the core concepts of the U.S. legal system to better serve their citizens visiting, living and conducting business in the United States. Speakers include Esteban Moctezuma, the ambassador of Mexico to the United States; Alejandro Alday, general director of the Matias Romero Institute; Rafael Barcelo, the Consul General of Mexico in Tucson; Marc Miller, dean of the James E. Rogers College of Law; senior leadership of Mexico's Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores; and program alumni.

Sept. 21: AAU-Member HSIs: A Critical Dialogue on Leading Innovation, Scholarship, and Solutions Centered on Servingness

The University of Arizona will host a panel discussion with leaders from fellow Hispanic-Serving Institutions University of California, Santa Cruz; University of California, Irvine; and University of California, Santa Barbara, to examine how each institution leverages its identity as an HSI to produce impactful research and graduate diverse students who are prepared to be scientific leaders. The event will be moderated by Barbara Snyder, president of the American Association of Universities, with Marla Franco, UArizona assistant vice president for Hispanic initiatives, delivering opening remarks.

Sept. 21: In-Person Premiere of the Documentary "Missing in Brooks County"

UArizona will host the in-person premiere of the documentary "Missing in Brooks County" and a discussion of the immigration crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border. Lisa Molomot and Jeff Bemiss, the film's co-directors, will join a panel of distinguished guests discussing the current crisis and the human rights issues it presents.

Sept. 22: #Sponsored: NIL and the New College Athletics Experience

Robbins and Dave Heeke, vice president and director of athletics at the University of Arizona, will host a panel discussion with key stakeholders concerning name, image and likeness. The panelists will discuss the impacts of NIL on institutions, student-athletes and industry, and why a federal policy is imperative to ensuring equitable opportunities for college athletes.

Sept. 22: NICD's 10th Anniversary: Challenges and Opportunities for Civil Discourse

Hosted by National Institute for Civil Discourse co-chairs Tom Daschle and Christie Todd Whitman, this panel discussion will examine the challenges posed by polarization for each of the three branches of the federal government and what can be done.

Sept. 22: University of Arizona Open House Reception

Robbins and other UArizona leaders will host an open house reception celebrating the grand opening of the University of Arizona Washington, D.C. Center for Outreach & Collaboration.

Sept. 23: Places and Spaces - Fostering the Future of the Arts

Andy Schulz, dean of the UArizona College of Fine Arts, will host a panel discussion to explore how people think about the future of cultural spaces and how the arts can transport organizations and communities.

Sept. 23: Building Relationships with Native Nations: Native Know How

Members of the Udall Center's Native Nations Institute at UArizona will host an interactive dialogue with tribal leaders examining how Native nations are governed or how organizations can strengthen their relationships with Native nations.

Sept. 23: University of Arizona Foundation Reception

Robbins and other university leaders will host a University of Arizona Foundation reception celebrating the grand opening of the University of Arizona Washington, D.C. Center for Outreach & Collaboration.

Sept. 23: The University of Arizona Media Reception

Media are invited to join Robbins, UArizona Vice President of Communications Holly Jensen and members of university leadership for a rooftop reception, featuring Tucson-inspired food and drinks, to celebrate the opening of the University of Arizona Washington, D.C. Center for Outreach & Collaboration.

Sept. 24: Fulfilling NEPA's Vision Through 21st Century Data Science

Since 1969, the National Environmental Policy Act has generated vast amounts of data on federal projects and environmental conditions across the U.S., but this information has been difficult to access and use. The NEPAccess initiative at UArizona uses game-changing technologies to deliver a powerful, multi-user, freely available knowledge, discovery and engagement platform. Robbins and Brenda Mallory, chair of The White House Council on Environmental Policy, will be joined by a panel of UArizona experts, including Marc Miller, dean of the James E. Rogers College of Law; Sudha Ram, a professor of management information systems in the Eller College of Management; Steven Bethard, an assistant professor in the School of Information and co-director of the Computational Language Understanding Lab; Kirk Emerson, a professor of practice in collaborative governance in the School of Government and Public Policy; and Laura Lopez-Hoffman, an associate professor in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, will discuss how NEPAccess will transform the next 50 years of environmental decision-making.

Sept. 24: University of Arizona Applied Research Corporation (UA-ARC) Roundtable Discussion

The University of Arizona Applied Research Corporation will host a roundtable discussion focused on the role universities play in supporting the national security and workforce development needs of the nation. UArizona faculty and staff, along with experts in the defense and intelligence communities, will discuss how the University of Arizona and UA-ARC can tackle national security challenges.