DATE: April 22, 2009

CONTACT: Sam Drew, 864-656-2873
sdrew@clemson.edu

WRITER: Ross Norton, 864-656-4810
rnorton@clemson.edu

Partnership formed with UMass Dartmouth to fight dropout problems

CLEMSON – The National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N) based at Clemson University has established its first satellite location, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Representatives of the NDPC/N made the announcement earlier this month in a brief ceremony at UMass Dartmouth, where the dropout center partners with the Urban Initiative to address dropout related challenges in the Massachusetts South Coast region.

The partnership advances NDPC/N goals and expands the capacity of UMass Dartmouth to reduce dropout rates in its region and beyond. A UMass Dartmouth Urban Initiative report, released on the same day, highlights the impact of dropouts on the South Coast economy.

UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack said the partnership with NDPC/N enables the entire community to be part of the solution. About 100 people from education, business and civic organizations were there for the announcement.

“This new partnership will help us all — businesses, schools, government and families — meet the dropout challenge head on,” MacCormack said.

NDPC/N Associate Director Sam Drew said the association with UMass Dartmouth bolsters both organizations’ ability to tackle complex dropout-related issues.

“The addition of UMass Dartmouth as an active and equal partner will no doubt have far-reaching impact on the dropout problem in their region and in ours,” Drew said. “This relationship strengthens our ability to make a difference at home and across the nation.”

Since 1986, NDPC/N has been based at Clemson University, where it has become a well-established national resource for sharing solutions for student success. It does so through its clearinghouse function, active research projects, publications, and through a variety of professional development activities. Visit dropoutprevention.org for more information.