Ernest C. Davenport Jr.
2007 Outstanding Community Service Award Winner
Associate Professor, Department of Educational Psychology
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Dr. Davenport is a recognized teacher, advisor and an expert on preparing at-risk high school aged youth for higher education, whose passion for teaching and learning has led him beyond the University classroom and into the community. Dr. Davenport has engaged communities throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area through a number of programs and departments to give preparation and training to students who otherwise would not have had access to skills and information related to higher education.
In nominating Dr. Davenport for this award, letter writers observed that Dr. Davenport has directed an ACT/SAT review course which comprehensively covered testing, financial aid, and the admission process in addition to focusing on a testing program which stresses academic success. His commitment to bringing students a greater understanding and appreciation of tools for success has led him to engage the community in many creative and dynamic ways—including establishing a tour for around 40 eighth graders of color to listen to a panel of current University of Minnesota students who “looked like them” to sitting on the board of a new charter school—the Hiawatha Leadership Academy, which will serve at-risk students with an emphasis on accountability, academic achievement and leadership development.
A dedicated educator, Dr. Davenport’s drive to improve the community through increasing access to education continues in the words of his nominator “Dr. Davenport’s wish is to prepare at-risk students to matriculate and be successful in college.” His work truly echoes the motto of his ACT/SAT review course: “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” (Malcolm X)
Community partners include: ACT/SAT Review Course Sponsored by the University of Minnesota; Mosaic Youth Center, Brooklyn Park; Minnesota Minority Educational Partnership, Inc.; Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE); Hiawatha Leadership Academy; Saint Paul Public Schools; Robbinsdale Area Public Schools