The Center for Governmental Studies of Northern Illinois University (NIU) has welcomed its resident scholar in a fledgling program that promotes community engagement in sustainable regional development through a cohort of international researchers.  Hugo Gutierrez, serves as head of Social Programs in the Social Development and Citizenship Department at Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico.  He is co-founder of Mexico Rural and Mexico Urbano community outreach programs. 

Hugo is completing his doctorate at Tecnologico de Monterrey (like the Pascal host in Europe, the University of Glasgow, a member of Univeritas 21) and is in the process of completing research for his dissertation.  His research hopes to answer the question:  What is the role of the social community service in the redefinition of the relationship between the university and society?  Although in Mexico every college student is required by law to do 480 hours of social service, there is no official definition within the regulation of what constitutes social service.   Universities in Mexico have started to reflect upon the way they want their research, the academics and extracurricular activities to have a positive effect in a country that has over half of its population living in poverty. 

Resident scholars reside on campus and have access to the library, office space and faculty guidance. Access to other resources in the area are facilitated, as well.    In return they serve as visiting lecture, provide input on appropriate committee activity, publish and are guided in their research by CGS faculty.  As Chicago is home to many community advocacy legends (Saul Alinsky, Ed Chambers, John McKnight and President  Obama), the region provides great insight in community organizing.  A second scholar from Finland, Ilpo Laitinen, a Pascal Associate from Helsinki City, will follow this summer.

As some subscribers already Northern Illinois University will host the PASCAL annual conference in 2014. This conference will serve as a forum for the research conducted by the international scholar cohort.   The NIU PASCAL Center focuses on sustainable regional development through the leveraging of place-based assets resulting in resilient communities.  The conference will reflect this theme.

Please contact Pat Inman  ([email protected]) with any questions.  Dr. Inman is the Senior Research Associate for International Engagement.