Title: University Announces Expansion of ‘Georgetown Downtown’ Presence
The School of Continuing Studies (SCS), designed to help fulfill the university’s mission of engagement and educational outreach to the surrounding community, will relocate to the heart of downtown Washington, D.C.
“This expansion of Georgetown Downtown is a defining moment for the university,” said Georgetown president John J. DeGioia. “Just as the construction of our Law Center did 30 years ago, this new home provides us with an opportunity to extend the impact of the university into new parts of the city and to broaden the reach of our work.”
Georgetown signed a lease agreement today with Brookfield Office Properties for a new space to house SCS at 640 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. at the intersection of 7th St. near the Gallery Place/Chinatown neighborhood.
Located just eight blocks from the university’s Law Center campus, the move expands the university’s “Georgetown Downtown” presence. It reflects Georgetown’s commitment to aligning itself with the growth and development goals of the city.
SCS classes are currently held on Georgetown’s main campus and in Arlington, Va. Scheduled to open in late 2013, the new Georgetown Downtown campus is part of the university’s plans to expand beyond its historic campus on 37th and O Streets as it further engages with Washington, D.C., and offers educational opportunities and services to the entire District.
Aligning Interests
“This expansion of Georgetown Downtown is a defining moment for the university,” said President John J. DeGioia. “Just as the construction of our Law Center did 30 years ago, this new home provides us with an opportunity to extend the impact of the university into new parts of the city and to broaden the reach of our work. We are excited to be aligning our interests with this vibrant and growing city.”
SCS offers graduate degrees in human resources management, journalism, liberal studies, public relations and corporate communications, real estate, sports industry management and technology management, as well as over 25 professional certificates, summer school and special programs. It also includes the university’s only part-time bachelor’s program.
New Master’s Programs
The school intends to launch several new master’s programs in the coming years. In fall 2013, for example, it will launch two of those programs – urban and regional planning as well as emergency and disaster management.
“SCS is committed to expanding its applied education and research opportunities,” said Walter Rankin, interim dean of the school. “Having SCS as a part of Georgetown Downtown will allow us to better connect with the fields and industries our students study and to build upon Georgetown’s commitment to transformative education, women and men for others and social justice.”
Approximately 1,100 students will take classes and study at the new campus.
“We look forward to joining such a vibrant community and working together with local businesses and residents to make very positive and substantial contributions to the neighborhood,” Rankin said.
Accessible Neighborhood
The School of Continuing Studies’ new location will be centrally located in downtown Washington, D.C., and within walking distance of restaurants, shops and the Verizon Center, home to the Georgetown men’s basketball team.
The new SCS space is located in the Gallery Place/Chinatown neighborhood, part of the Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District, and is considered one of the city’s most exciting and accessible communities.
The university is working with Studios Architecture to create a state-of-the-art space that reimagines the educational experience for the 21st century for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders.
The new facilities will include classrooms with integrated technology, administrative offices, group study rooms, workstations, lounge and meeting spaces, a contemplative space, a media lab, a library resource center, a café and more.
There will be four levels of leased space that cover 91,000 square feet, allowing for future program growth. The school welcomes conversations with local community leaders about new ways to engage and collaborate at the new campus.
Convenient Location
The SCS campus is centrally situated within walking distance of popular restaurants and cafés, retail shops and services, museums and hotels and the Verizon Center, home to the Georgetown men’s basketball team.
The new campus is within six blocks of all five Metro rail lines serving the Washington, D.C. region. It is in close proximity to countless Metro bus stops, the DC Circulator, Capital Bikeshare stations and Union Station commuter train services.
There is also easy access from the campus to Interstate 395 and Route 50 and convenient parking.
Inclusive Search Process
The search for a new space and location took place over two years and was led by Robert L. Manuel, the former associate provost and dean of the school who is now president of the University of Indianapolis.
We look forward to joining such a vibrant community and working together with local businesses and residents to make very positive and substantial contributions to the neighborhood.”
—Walter Rankin, Interim Dean, School of Continuing Studies
“I believethe new downtown campus will fulfill the university’s commitment to educational outreach and inclusivity,” Manuel said.
School and university leaders consulted with students, faculty, staff and alumni to identify the needs of the SCS community.
Surveys and focus groups garnered responses that centered on accessibility and the learning environment.
“We are confident that we are creating a new campus that will be valuable to our SCS community as well as for Washington, D.C., citizens and businesses for many years to come,” Rankin said.