History of DDC

DDC began in the 1960s with Columbia College students who were determined to have their university reach out to the world outside Columbia's gates. It was an era of great student activism on campus and DDC was born out of the realization that Columbia students and University officials needed to share experiences with Harlem and surrounding communities.

It was created as "Project Double Discovery" in 1965 through the collaboration of faculty, administrators, and students working to create a successful proposal for federal funding. Columbia University was awarded one of eighteen pilot programs which brought over 200 low-income high school students to the Columbia campus for summer academic programming. The response was overwhelming. Over the years, "Project Double Discovery" evolved into the Double Discovery Center and is now a department of Columbia College, from which it draws a majority of its volunteers and staff members.

The Center now serves over 1,000 low-income and first generation college-bound New York City youth each year in grades 7 through 12. It houses two youth education programs, Talent Search and Upward Bound. Through these programs, students learn about colleges and careers, improve their academic work, and participate in personal development activities.

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Our Mission

To provide model educational programs and services which will enable young people historically underrepresented in higher education to pursue their highest aspirations and to achieve the full breadth of their intellectual potential

To instill the confidence, pride, curiosity and hope needed to complete secondary school, challenge oneself intellectually and embark on the path of higher education

To foster "Double Discovery" between the eligible participants and the students, faculty and staff of Columbia University and others in the City of New York to generate common understanding, foster shared experiences and remove racial, gender, age and religious barriers that divide the people of our society