The Institute’s Mission

In 2001 the Institute was conceived in partnership with the University, the College of Social Work and interested community groups to improve human relations and services in the public’s interest.

Named in the honor of the memory of a great humanitarian, Reverend Isaiah DeQuincey Newman, the Institute seeks to continue his mission of promoting the causes of social justice through interdisciplinary education, service, consultation and research at the community, state, national and international levels.

Activities related to the Chair and the Institute include:

• The Newman Scholars Program

• The Newman Lecture series on social and economic justice

• The Study Abroad Program

• The Strengthening Families Program

The Institute’s Priority Areas

It is the intent of the Institute to focus on four priority areas related to social justice. These are:

• Culturally relevant ethnographic and program effectiveness research.

• Curriculum development for graduate social work programs; in-service training for practitioners, and dissemination of related written materials.

• Consultation and technical assistance to social agencies, government, business and industry in matters such as race relations and the enhancement of economic growth through human service development.

• Policy development and reform in areas relevant to the needs of the oppressed and populations-at-risk.

The Institute’s Goals

Located within the College of Social Work, the goal of the Institute serve as an extension of the College’s commitment to the promotion of social justice with the university community, the broader community and the region. The Institute’s goals flow directly from the Institute’s priority areas:

• To cultivate more responsive human service organizations.

• To promote quality services to the elderly, especially those residing in rural areas.

• To promote quality housing for low-income families.

• To promote quality education for low-income children and families.

• To promote rural community and rural leaders development.

• To research, develop and teach principles of planned peaceful change.