Bain just capped off his first week as the new provost of the University of the District of Columbia and has cozied into his new home in Woodley Park. How was week one?
Oh, a bit of a whirlwind, but it’s an exciting opportunity. We’re rebuilding the place in a lot of ways, and I think there’s a lot of potential here that has been largely untapped.
How so?
We’re the only public university in the nation’s capital, and the only urban land grant in the country. The first step is to establish a research-based approach to administration of the university — every aspect, from teaching to learning. Students will see this in the educational experience they encounter, in the classroom, outside the classroom, in all programs.
How can a research-based approach change UDC?
America’s great universities pay attention to research in every area but how human beings learn, and how to foster that learning — and that happens to be my expertise. We want to bring that research into the consideration of faculty when they are planning and teaching their classes, and evaluating students. The purpose of a university is to create learning, and teaching is anything that one might do to create the environment most likely to produce learning.
What other changes do you foresee?
We need to tap into service learning, internships and other kinds of opportunities that Washington offers.
How familiar were you with D.C. before the move from New Jersey? (Bain has been the provost for university learning at Montclair State University.)
Relatively. I’ve been in and out of the area for years; as a historian, I’ve spent a fair amount of time at the National Archives. In terms of actually living here, I’m a new guy on the block.
Any big surprises come with being a resident?
I didn’t have hot water on Tuesday morning, but that’s another story.
– Lisa Gartner
