Projects, Programs, and Partnerships
Bridge Funds: The University of Minnesota is committed to strengthening excellence in higher education and recognizes that an important aspect of this commitment is the ongoing recruitment and retention of world-class faculty who are effective teachers, role models, and researchers. A faculty reflecting the diversity of our society is also important in facilitating the development of world-class scholars and artists. To enhance the University's opportunities to recruit and retain highly qualified faculty, the University has established a special bridge fund for new hires.
The University of Minnesota Consortium for Metropolitan Studies was established in 2006 to link the centers, programs, and faculty and staff at the University engaged in teaching, research, and outreach concerned with understanding metropolitan change and development. Engaging the Consortium with those outside the University in the public, private, and non-profit sectors will enhance the University’s ability to contribute to the analysis and discussion of important metropolitan issues. More information
The new Consortium for Post-Secondary Academic Success was initiated by President Robert Bruininks to better serve the needs of the education community. It will engage educators, school districts, state education organizations, and the business community with University faculty and staff to collaborate in addressing critical education issues. These collaborative efforts are aimed at improving the coherence, relevance and visibility of university PreK-12 activities, enhancing public and private PreK-12 education systems, preparing youth for higher education, closing the achievement gap for underrepresented groups, and ensuring access to post-secondary education opportunities.
The Council on Public Engagement is charged with strengthening the University's public mission across the full range of University activities and making practical proposals for institutionalizing public engagement as a continuing priority. More information
Keeping our Faculties: This series of symposia focuses on recruiting, retaining, and advancing faculty of color. Sessions include discussions of successful strategies that have been employed to date; approaches to developing a pipeline to retain students of color and recruit and advance persons of color in science, technology, engineering, and business; and strategies to empower faculty of color, change institutional cultures, and produce change within and outside the academy. More information
Northside Partnership: The University wants to be one of the partners working to maximize the health, vitality, promise, and opportunity of north Minneapolis by providing services to professionals, practitioners, and the public; investing financial resources for economic development; providing jobs; and offering educational opportunities within the community. We want to offer the unique resources and capacity of the University to help community organizations serve their constituents. The University also wants to partner with community organizations to establish a physical presence where services can be offered, and where the community will have easier access to University programs. More information
President's Faculty Multicultural Research Award: The purpose of the research award program is to encourage and support research by faculty of color and to promote research on issues related to people of color, particularly people of color in a North American context. More information
Schochet GLBT Research Award: The purpose of the research award program is to encourage and support research related to GLBT issues, particularly in a North American context. This award is made possible by an endowment generously provided by Stephen J. Schochet, with additional funding provided by the College of Liberal Arts and the Office for Multicultural and Academic Affairs. More information
Science Museum Partnership: The University of Minnesota and the Science Museum of Minnesota have formed a formal partnership to advance science research and education and to increase science literacy in the state. Science literacy is a key to understanding public policy issues and to maintaining our state's competitive edge in economic and workforce development. More information