ECSU Administrator Dr. Gary L. Brown Appointed to New HUD, Campus Compact Higher Education Think Tank

Brown is One of 30 National Leaders Selected for Collaboration

Dr. Gary L. Brown

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Campus Compact announced that Dr. Gary L. Brown, vice chancellor for Student Affairs at Elizabeth City State University, has been appointed to a new higher-education focused Think Tank, the HUD + Higher Ed Engagement Network, beginning October 6, 2022. Brown is a seasoned university administrator who has served at ECSU for four years.

The collaborative, which includes university presidents, vice presidents, vice chancellors and senior directors, is focused on strengthening connections with higher education institutions and 64 HUD field offices nationwide. The Think Tank’s work will focus on driving solutions in the areas of worker empowerment, maternal and infant health, eviction prevention, landlord outreach, housing security and access, broadband access and digital literacy and cultural competency. Members were selected based on their broad experience ranging from community engagement to economic development to public policy.

Michele Perez, HUD’s Assistant Deputy Secretary for Field Policy and Management, says of the initiative, “We are thrilled to partner with Campus Compact on this initiative. Under the leadership of Secretary Fudge, HUD is committed to increasing equity and improving customer service in the delivery of our programs and fulfillment of our mission. This partnership will bolster HUD’s and the members of the Higher Ed Engagement Network’s ability to serve our most vulnerable populations through the higher education space. Together, we will leverage our strong connections in our respective industries to enable a just, equitable, and sustainable future.”

“I am truly honored to serve as a member of this Think Tank as a representative of Elizabeth City State University and leveraging the insights, perspectives and exposures garnered throughout my career,” said Brown. “I look forward to collaborating with my fellow Think Tank members as we contribute to the broader conversation of higher education and the invaluable contributions we make towards changing the lives of students and communities in so many positive ways.”

Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, chancellor of ECSU and a member of the Board of Directors for Campus Compact, notes, “Dr. Brown is at the forefront of driving innovations in student engagement and development and has created community partnerships that cultivate ECSU students to be engaged servant leaders. His influence and extensive network will enable the HUD + Higher Ed Engagement Network to make great gains in impacting communities around the country.”

“We are proud to launch this effort, which will revitalize the historically vital partnership between HUD and higher education,” says Bobbie Laur, Campus Compact president. “Campus Compact along with our partners at the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU), Anchor Institutions Task Force (AITF) and University Economic Development Association (UEDA) have long championed the impact publicly-engaged higher education institutions can make through equity-driven community, economic, and civic engagement. Through this partnership, we will demonstrate the positive change that can occur when higher education takes concrete steps to address critical issues threatening communities.”