The AVP for Community-Based Initiatives is charged with providing technical assistance to community based organizations in support of their missions and objectives.  Much of this community capacity building involves staff development, consultation on grant development, and the development of original curriculum materials related to workforce development and emerging career training opportunities. Current work includes the design, implementation and management of workforce development initiatives associated with the University’s Manhattanville Expansion as well as extensive work related to the development of the Upper Manhattan Green Jobs Training Academy , a partnership with the New York City Department of Education to address the needs of Disconnected Youth. The office has already successfully secured significant grant funding for programs run by SEAS and Teachers College in conjunction with the public school system and is currently involved in exploring ARRA (stimulus) funding to support components of the Manhattanville Community Benefits agreement including the Teachers College Demonstration School.


Contact Information
Theodore J. Gershon
Associate Vice President for Community-Based Initiatives
and, Special Advisor, Workforce Development
535 West 116 Street
Low Library 302
New York, NY 10027
Tel: (212) 854-1116
Fax: (212) 666-1952
tjg2110@columbia.edu