UT Partners with University of Memphis to Explore Issues of Homelessness

The University of Tampa has announced a new partnership with the University of Memphis (UM) to explore leadership, service and the social issues of homelessness and poverty as they exist in Tampa, Memphis, nationally and worldwide.

The UT/UM leadership exchange initiative, titled “Leadership in Action,” will offer students the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the social issues of homelessness and poverty, engage in an immersion project focused on homelessness and poverty, work within a team in an autonomous environment and build relationships with students from another institution.

Students will complete a series of leadership sessions related to these areas over the six-month experience, as well as a team project focused on homelessness.

According to Ali Mathe, UT’s coordinator of leadership, participation in the program will develop students’ understanding of self, the social issues surrounding homelessness and the “Seven Revolutions” document, a publication of the Center for Strategic and International Studies that aims to predict what the world will look like in 2025.

In addition to connecting with the UM students through various virtual communication platforms, students will interact on immersion weekends in Tampa and Memphis.

"This is a unique program that will help students engage in a pressing national issue while also learning about the leadership exhibited by community partners as they work to create change within the social issue," Mathe said. "It will also be interesting for students to exchange ideas and solutions between the two cities."

Student applications are currently being received, and the program is set to launch immediately.

For more information, contact Mathe at (813) 258-7368 or amathe@ut.edu.