Alicia D. Hurley, Ph.D., associate vice president for Government and Community Affairs, is often on the front line of controversial issues between the University and the local community, but now she's been given the opportunity to start shaping a larger picture for the neighbors of the Greenwich Village-based institution. "I'm frequently in the position of defending the University to our neighbors for things they see as intrusive or detrimental," she observes. "But now I'm also in the wonderful position of celebrating and supporting the very positive impact our students have on this community. It's a great opportunity to project a much more nuanced and comprehensive picture of our intricate, delicate and vital relationship with this neighborhood and our City."

In December, Hurley's portfolio expanded from Government and Community Affairs to include the Office of Community Service, the NYU Community Fund, America Reads/America Counts, and Jumpstart. Her new responsibilities provide her with a more holistic view of the University's complex and dynamic presence in Greenwich Village, the Lower East Side and across the City and its five boroughs.

"My goal is for everyone to see NYU as the extraordinary asset it is," she states. She is deeply committed to President John Sexton's view of NYU as an institution that is In and Of the City and sees an opportunity to refine and define what that statement means.

"That concept is very real tome," says Hurley, who earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with an emphasis in policy at NYU's Steinhardt School of Education, where she also serves as an adjunct professor.

"My education here extended far beyond what I learned in the classroom. I had access to things in this city that I couldn't have imagined at a campus that separates itself fromits neighbors. And tome, being a good neighbor is critical. "Our students come toNYUto experienceNew York City and its vibrant neighborhoods; but with this comes a responsibility to understand the history of those neighborhoods, how to be courteous and respect the quality of life of our neighbors and to give back to this great City at every possible opportunity. These are things everyone has a right to expect from each other—our students as well as our neighbors."

Toward that goal,Hurley is spearheading a campaign to increase student awareness of civic responsibility, and community awareness of the good our students do on a regular basis. She has worked extensively with the Office of Residential Education to help enhance students' sense of civic responsibility and community engagement. She is also encouraging student groups to become more involved with local community boards and civic organizations in order to work side-by-side with our neighbors on the issues of shared concern.

"I think we're entirely too quiet about the wonderful things our students do to serve and enhance this community," she observes. "That's why I was so excited to be able to bring together community service and community affairs underone umbrella. I want our neighbors to know that over 10,000 students a year participate in university sponsored volunteer activities ranging from tutoring and mentoring to feeding the hungry and homeless, to visiting homebound seniors, to traveling down to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild New Orleans. I want our neighbors to know that our employees have generated over $1.9 million in grants to local nonprofits through the NYU Community Fund. I want them to know that we, as an institution, have a profound commitment to environmental sustainability and green initiatives. In short, I want everyone to know that we bring much more to this community than buildings and crowded sidewalks. We bring commitment, engagement and vitality."