White House Highlights Rebecca M. Townsend as a Transportation Champion of Change

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, July 31st, the White House honored leaders who have devoted their time and efforts to helping their communities reach new heights through transportation innovation. Transportation Innovators are individuals or organizations who have provided exemplary leadership in the growth and expansion of the transportation industry at the local, state or regional level.

“Today’s Champions are leaders in developing and implementing innovative transportation initiatives,” said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. “They are making a difference every day in their local communities and across the country by improving America’s transportation infrastructure and helping their friends and neighbors get where they need to go.”

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

Rebecca M. Townsend, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Communication at Manchester Community College in Connecticut, serves as the Principal Investigator for the Partnership for Inclusive, Cost-Effective Public Participation. She involves community service learning, cultural communication, and productive deliberation in transit planning public involvement efforts. She is a graduate of the Communication programs at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (B.A., Ph.D.) and Indiana University Bloomington (M.A.).

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White House Transportation Innovators Champions of Change Video