The Columbia Community Scholars Program has been renamed the A’Lelia Bundles Community Scholars Program in honor of Columbia University Trustee and longtime program supporter A’Lelia Bundles.
The A’Lelia Bundles Community Scholars Program, administered by SPS, Office of the Provost and Office of Government and Community Affairs, enables independent scholars to pursue their lifelong learning aspirations through access to Columbia University courses and resources.
"I am grateful beyond measure. I've loved this program from the moment I met the first cohort in 2013 and began to learn about their innovative intellectual and creative projects. While Columbia provides much deserved recognition to the Community Scholars, we also benefit from their presence in our classrooms and in our libraries. The brilliance of the program is that it has begun to foster collaboration between the Columbia campus and the authors, composers, artists, activists and independent scholars who already bring vibrance to the community above 96th Street. In less than a decade, we've celebrated new books, museum exhibits and community wellness and art programs. I can't wait for our tenth anniversary reunion,” Bundles said, as first reported by Columbia Neighbors.
“A’Lelia Bundles has been an invaluable trustee of the University, and renaming this program for her is absolutely fitting,” said Columbia President Lee C. Bollinger. “The Community Scholars Program brings to life Columbia’s core mission of teaching, scholarship and civic engagement, and it will now bear the name of our admired colleague and friend, who has spent her life celebrating and serving the communities of Upper Manhattan."
Bundles will offer welcoming remarks for the next scholars lecture “A Systemic Solution to Low Literacy Rates, Poor Instruction, Dyslexia and Social Ills with Debbie Meyer” on July 30 at 4pm. RSVP here.
Bundles Community Scholar Debbie Meyer will address the systemic issues and the policies that continue to allow dyslexic students and struggling readers to fail. She will also discuss steps to confront these issues, including working with universities to have related lessons in their pre-service programs for teachers, pediatricians and social workers.
Debbie Meyer is a non-profit fundraising and strategic planning professional and an active volunteer. Ms. Meyer is a Founding Member of the Dyslexia(plus) Task Force and a member of the Board of Directors of Women Creating Change (formerly Women’s City Club). She also sits on the Citizens’ Committee for Children’s Advocacy Council, and on the Advocates for Children Arise Coalition. In spring 2013, she led the advocacy efforts of the public, progressive, and small Central Park East schools to expand with a combined middle school. Previously, she served on the boards of directors of College and Community Fellowship and Phys Ed Plus and the Women's City Club Task Force on Physical Education.
For questions, please contact George Calderaro at gc2212 [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (gc2212[at]columbia[dot]edu).
