Ur ban affa ir s i s in m y blood. I love c i t ie s, and I love t he energy t hat r adi at e s fro m be ing part of t he c i t y.
Faculty – “One of the
reasons I came to CSU was the faculty. They are exceptionally qualified and creative, and they engage with students in a real way. The number of new faculty choosing to come to CSU from some of the best universities in the world makes me ecstatic.”
of the School of Urban Affairs at Baruch College. In 1997, Dr. Berkman left New York and headed to Miami, as Executive Dean of the College of Urban Affairs at Florida International University. Instrumental in helping FIU create a large, interdisciplinar y College of Hea lth and Urban Affairs — a coalition of its Schools of Nursing, Social Work, Public Management and Public Health — he served as Executive Dean for eight years. From 2005 until joining CSU, Dr. Berkman served as FIU’s Provost, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. His accomplishments include directing FIU’s successful efforts to open a College of Law and a College of Medicine and expanding the sponsored research program from $30 million to $113 million in grants per year. “I’m grateful for the trajectory of my career,” he ref lects. “I have an understanding of the challenges universities face and a deep appreciation for what makes a great university.”
Choosing CSU Dr. Berkman believes the presidency br i n gs a l l h is pa st ex per iences a s teacher and administrator together into one “incredible” opportunity. “I came to CSU to support the continued grow th and evolution of this expanding University — increasing its academic quality and reputation, building up research and philanthropy, growing and modernizing the physical campus, and playing a leadership role in the economic recovery of the city and the region,” he says. “We are an urban university poised to have a transformational effect on the social, economic, cultural, and political life of the city, the region, the state, and most importantly, on the personal lives of thousands of students. “Urban affairs is in my blood. I love cities, and I love the energy that radiates from being part of the city. I look forward to CSU being a major player in driving the renewal of the city’s urban core and collaborating with the area’s health care powerhouses and our corporate-industrial, community, civic and cultural partners. The fate of the nation is inextricably linked to the fate of its cities, and both are dependent on educated citizens and workers,” he continues. During his first months on the job, President Berkman has devoted most of his time to meeting everyone he can — business and foundation leaders, legislators, donors, alumni, members of the arts community, and of course, students, faculty and staff. Everywhere, the reception has been welcoming.
“There is a very tangible sense of the community reaching out in support of the University, a wealth of good feeling. People recognize CSU as a significant player in the community they live in and love. Their hopes and aspirations are invested in CSU’s future success, and they are willing to work with us to make it happen,” he notes. “Everywhere, there seems to be the sense that the University is poised to take its next big steps,” he says. Under his watch, those steps w il l include building up the core of the city.
Cleveland and CSU “Cleveland State is in and of the city. And urban universities can be very significant instruments for the development and redevelopment of cities and neighborhoods,” the president notes. In fact, Cleveland is already reinventing itself, he says, through such improvements as the Euclid Corridor which links University Circle and Public Square. As redevelopment occurs along the route, Cleveland State finds itself in a prime location. “We will continue to focus on building a neighborhood along the corridor,” he says. “Our new residence halls now
Chatting with councilman Joe Cimperman at CSU's FaRmers Market
Students — “No other
Ohio university comes close to matching our mix of 10,000 undergraduates and 6,000 graduate students. Continuing to improve our student services to help them be successful is one of my top goals. Students are our best ambassadors.”
underway are just one element in building a stronger sense of community and attracting more students. Our 27-acre north campus offers tremendous opportunity, especially to private developers and investors. “When our campus is complete, it will be one of the most attractive urban campuses in the nation. We have a tremendous opportunity to be instrumental in the redevelopment of this quadrant of the city.” President Berkman believes Cleveland offers a diverse and rich learning laborator y. Expanded partnerships (including bringing a K-12 Cleveland school to campus), internships, cooperative education experiences, field placements, and the opportunity to tap community talent and expertise provide students with “value-added ” education, he says. And he intends for CSU to make the most of this lab and the tools it offers by growing its engaged learning mission. “Cleveland is a major health care and biomedical center with diversified industrial, service, and cultural sectors. The goal of engaged learning is to build bridges between the University and the city that will provide environments for students to apply and expand what they are learning in classrooms and laboratories,” he notes. “Many students choose CSU because of its downtown location and the opportunity to engage with the business, arts, philanthropic and nonprofit communities,” he adds. “Helping them find pathways to careers in Cleveland will help them stay in Cleveland.”
In his short time here, President Berk man has found businesses and organizations anxious to bring CSU students into their fold. “They have discovered that they can find the same talent pool at CSU as at more well-known schools,” he says. “And they get dividends with CSU students — a great work ethic and commitment to the city. Most of our graduates want to stay here and they do. Our ability to provide a skilled, trained and committed work force is a tremendous asset.” Through his long career, Dr. Berkman has seen many changes in higher education. He believes the recent call for more accountability is reasonable, and the goal of getting colleges and universities to align their priorities and produce talented, more competitive graduates is understandable “but not at the expense of good analytical thinking and writing skills. “Higher education is part of the magic of our American democracy,” he adds. It’s a magic that has served him well and that he’s now sharing with Cleveland State University.
President Ronald Berkman with former FIU President Modesto Maidique (l) and current FIU President Mark Rosenberg 8 WWW.CSUOHIO.EDU
CSU PERSPECTIVE 9