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Oakland University Pontiac Initiative

North Foundation Hall, Room 121
318 Meadow Brook Rd.
Rochester, MI 48309-4454
(location map)
(248) 370-4455
[email protected]

Oakland University Pontiac Initiative

North Foundation Hall, Room 121
318 Meadow Brook Rd.
Rochester, MI 48309-4454
(location map)
(248) 370-4455
[email protected]

group of adults posing in front of a wall that says Oakland O U Center

Civic Engagement

The Civic Engagement pillar works with multiple entities in Oakland County and Oakland University to encourage community discussion regarding prevalent issues in Pontiac.

Pillar Leads

Headshot of Dave Dulio
David Dulio, Ph.D.
OU Lead
Professor
Chair of Political Science
[email protected]
Headshot of Angela Powell
Angela Powell
Pontiac Lead
Oakland County Commissioner
[email protected]
Headshot of Vernita Duvall
Vernita Duvall
Community Partner
Sr. V.P., USI Insurance Services
Pontiac Public Library
Board of Trustees
[email protected]
Objectives
  • Increase civic literacy
  • Increase multicultural experiences
  • Conduct civic engagement events important to Pontiac
Initiatives
PUB Students join OU Students at 50th District Court
A partnership with Judge Cynthia Walker and Project Upward Bound that took high school students from Pontiac and their OU mentors visit the 50th District Court to hear from court staff about careers in the court system. They also conducted a mock trial with Judge Walker leading the session.
Community Conversations/Speaker Series
“RACE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: A TOWN HALL MEETING”
This event was held on campus and co-hosted by the Center for Civic Engagement, the Division of Student Affairs and Diversity, and the Center for Multicultural Initiatives as well as several community partners. Rochelle Riley moderated and Tom Kimble and Khary Mason also participated on the panel. More than 90 individuals from campus and the community gathered for the discussion.

“MARIJUANA IS LEGAL. NOW WHAT?”
The Center for Civic Engagement and School of Nursing hosted a conversation with campus and community on the hurdles communities are facing in the wake of the legalization of recreational marijuana. Over 100 attendees from campus and community gathered for the discussion.
Voter Information Cards
Hundreds of “Voter Information Cards” distributed to community members with help from the Oakland County Links, Inc. in Pontiac.
Outcome Data
  • 180 individuals from Pontiac and Oakland University gathered to re engage and come back to the public square
  • Over 90 people (campus and community) attended a discussion on race in our communities
  • Over 100 people (campus and community) gathered for discussion on the 2018 elections, which increased civic literacy and engagement in the city of Pontiac
  • 20 people (campus and community) attended a candidate forum on Oakland University’s campus sponsored by the Political Science Department’s honor society that included candidates seeking to represent the city of Pontiac
  • Nine Public School and Public Academy students interned at City Hall
  • Hosted and engaged 10 state legislative candidates in Candidates Forum