The Hunter Envoy

Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: News

Adolfo Carrión, former Bronx Borough President and graduate of Hunter College, was appointed as the White House Director of Urban Affairs for the newly created White House Office of Urban Affairs, the president's staff announced late last month.

Carrión, 47, is expected to work on creating and coordinating federal programs directed at improving the quality of life in the country's struggling cities. Transportation, housing, and employment programs will form the bulk of Carrión's agenda in the White House, according to the Daily News.

The announcement of Carrión's appointment comes at a time of a deepening recession and increased financial security, especially in the nation's cities-the hubs of financial services and other industries.

"I look forward to working with these talented leaders to bring long overdue attention to the urban areas where 80 percent of the American people live and work. Vibrant cities spawn innovation, economic growth, and cultural enrichment; the Urban Affairs office will focus on wise investments and development in our urban areas that will create employment and housing opportunities and make our country more competitive, prosperous, and strong," President Obama said of his appointees to the urban policy department.

Back home, the Hunter community expressed pride in seeing a Hunter alumni in the White House. The Hunter website posted a news brief identifying Carrión as a 1990 graduate of Hunter College. The brief also mentioned that Carrión studied urban policy at Hunter.

"President Obama and Vice President Biden created the White House Office of Urban Affairs to develop a strategy for metropolitan America and to ensure that all federal dollars targeted to urban areas are effectively spent on the highest-impact programs," it said.

Suzan Hollist, a Hunter College student studying Childhood Education, also expressed her excitement for Carrion's appointment. "It is pretty exciting to see the White House create a new focus on cities and recognize all their economic, environmental and cultural benefits. But, to have one of our own in the lead will be a boon to all of us here in New York City. A newfound appreciation for city living will go a long way in helping us out of our economic troubles. Yeah, Obama!"

Hunter College Department of Urban Affairs and Planning Chair Joseph P. Viteritti said he, too, approved of Carrión's appointment.

"I am delighted with the appointment for two reasons: The creation of a White House Office of Urban Affairs indicates that, for the first time in many years, cities are at the top of the national agenda. And of course, we are proud that one of our own graduates, who has a strong connection to our department, will serve as the first director of this office. It is historic," Viteritti said.

Prior to being appointed by President Obama as the Directory of Urban Policy, Carrión served two terms as the Bronx Borough President. According to the Bronx Borough President's Office, 50 new schools were built, 40,000 new units of housing created, and over $400 million used to renovate parks during Carrión's time in office.

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