The Center for Urban Research, Teaching and Outreach (CURTO) respects longstanding institutional practices for academic centers, while merging those practices with the values that undergird engaged scholarship. CURTO welcomes the expertise of faculty across the College of Arts & Sciences in the advancing of our mission. CURTO also aligns our curricular strategies for the Urban Affairs Minor with those of the Klingler College of Arts & Sciences.

CURTO’s commitment to engaged scholarships adheres to the core values of community engagement most poignantly articulated by the Carnegie Foundation. Community engagement must, “…enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.” While achieving these goals institutions must also develop and maintain, “…authentically collaborative, mutually beneficial partnerships…”

CURTO welcomes community experts as integral voices in our research, teaching and outreach efforts. Contrary to popular discourse, urban communities are not laboratories. These homes and neighborhoods are hallowed spaces that require us to embark upon relationships with humility, clearing room for a sense of shared dignity to thrive between all collaborators, whether conducting research, planning events, or advancing creative and high quality learning.

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Learn more about the staff, advisory board, and partners of CURTO.